New Medicare initiative aims to modernize access to personal health data

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new, online initiative that modernizes how beneficiaries get information about Medicare. The multi-year eMedicare initiative is designed to empower patients and improve access to personal health care data. The goal, CMS says, is to provide a seamless online health care experience to meet the growing expectations for this generation of Medicare beneficiaries.

Some of the new eMedicare initiatives CMS is launching ahead of Medicare Open Enrollment are:

• An improved coverage wizard to help beneficiaries compare options to decide if Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage is right for them;

• A mobile optimized out of pocket cost calculator that will provide information on both overall costs and prescription drug costs;

• A simplified log in for the Medicare Plan Finder tool;

• A webchat option, which will be available within the Medicare Plan Finder; and

• New easy-to-use surveys available across Medicare.gov so beneficiaries can continue to share what they want.

“Our intent is not to replace traditional channels that beneficiaries trust and depend on,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said, “but to improve and enhance them with the emerging digital options to create a user-centered, seamless consumer experience.”

CMS released a video and blog where beneficiaries can learn more about the new initiative.