The U.S. centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on August 21 that it has launched a redesign of its Medicare.gov website, in order to better serve Medicare Beneficiaries and their families.
The redesign, CMS said, “mak[es] content more accessible and easier for beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to understand.”
“We did a lot of research into what sort of information beneficiaries and their caregivers really wanted most at their fingertips, and I think users will find this redesign very helpful,” said Acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner. “We’ve simplified the language and the homepage layout to make it easier and faster for visitors to get answers and a better understanding of Medicare necessary to get more control over their health care.”
Some of the new features accessible on the home page of the redesigned Medicare.gov site include:
- Enhanced Search features, including a special easy-to-find search for whether a specific test, item, or service is covered under original Medicare;
- Easy access to answers to cost questions;
- Simple access to customized information based on a beneficiary’s specific situation;
- Quick links to replace a lost Medicare card, find a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, and get help with health care costs.
- Drop down menus providing quick answers to commonly asked questions;
- Easily accessible Finder Tools – to help you find doctors and health professionals, nursing homes, hospitals, home health care, dialysis facilities, and health and drug plans;
- Accessibility to the site via your tablet or smart phone.
- Descriptions of Medicare mailings, which enable Medicare beneficiaries, counselors, and caregivers to check if a letter they received in the mail is an official communication from Medicare; and
- A separate landing page for easy access to the popular “Medicare & You” handbook.
Examples of some of the new features are illustrated in the partial screen shot of the new site above. For further examples, see the complete Graphic issued by CMS, illustrating the new features of the Medicare.gov site.
“This new website design is the result of more than two years of research, design, and development work by CMS,” according to the announcement issued by CMS on August 21. “Using various mechanisms, such as call center questions, website analytics and online survey results, CMS found out what users want, including finding out what Medicare covers, cost and coordination of benefits information, and finding Medicare drug and health plans,” the CMS announcement explained.
Before launch, the new website was tested with consumers to ensure that it successfully meets the needs of Medicare’s primary consumer audience, CMS said.
To view and start using the new website, visit www.Medicare.gov.
More Information
For more information on Medicare, Medicaid and other financial and legal issues of concern to seniors and their family caregivers, see the HelpingYouCare® resource pages on Legal and Financial Issues for Seniors & Caregivers, including:
- Financial Issues for Caregivers & Seniors
- Health Insurance & Long-term Care Insurance
- Medicare Coverage
- Medicaid Coverage & Asset Planning for Qualification
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- See the CareHelpFinder™ section for help finding a Financial Advisor
- Legal Issues for Caregivers & Seniors
- Overview – Some Legal Issues for Seniors & Caregivers
- Advance Directives for Health Care/ Living Wills; Proxies; Surrogates
- Planning for Incapacity/ Durable Powers of Attorney & Guardianship
- Estate Planning — Taxes, Wills, Intestate Succession, Trusts
- Asset Transfers & Medicaid Planning – An Overview
- Other Legal Issues
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