New Version of Medicare.gov has potentially misleading errors

The following is an excerpt of a letter from the National Association of Health Underwriters addressed to the Administrator of CMS (Centers for Medicare).

There are concerning issues we’ve identified with the Medicare Plan Finder include:

• The “Total Yearly Cost of Care” does not provide personalized or transparent information. For example, when a consumer inputs or changes personal data, such as drug information, his or her total estimated costs do not change. This is not mathematically possible based on the plan benefits. Additionally, the tool does not share what is included in the total cost. As a result consumers will likely see the total cost and assume they are receiving a personalized and tailored estimate which may not be accurate.
• The estimated total yearly cost of care is flawed. On a plan that has reduced benefits year over year, the expectation would be that the “estimated total yearly costs” would increase. However the tool is inaccurately estimating the consumer’s costs will decrease. It doesn’t make mathematical sense. For consumers on a fixed income and cost conscious, this could be detrimental to their situation.
• Most supplemental benefits are not included in the total yearly cost of care. Over the past several years supplemental benefits have expanded and provided members with options that not only treat, but prevent illness and increase quality of life. We know the high value of benefits such as vision, dental and hearing to our consumers, and they are a key way we are partners in care with our members. Some of the benefits that are not included are:
• Transportation lists copay but not number of rides.
• Eyeglasses list copay but does not share if benefit covers frames, lenses or contacts.
• Wellness Programs include a long list of possible items including fitness, nurse hotline, Personal Emergency Response and telehealth, that can’t be lumped into a single “covered” or “not covered” benefit.

Storehouse Insurance Services commentary:

We recommend always working closely with a licensed agent in your state who can reference specific plan materials to provide seniors with the most accurate estimation of costs and benefit descriptions.

The other concern we have is that Medicare.gov is asking for personal information such as birthdates and email addresses just to view plan information.

Take caution when sharing your email with insurance websites. In many cases email addresses are sold to agents nationwide and you may experience many unwanted phone solicitations and emails, for months.

Please message us if you would like a review of your Medicare coverage. And we promise to never spam you or call without your permission :)