Idaho Department of Insurance: Medicare Plan Finder Gets Upgrade for First Time in Decade

BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 11 -- The Idaho Department of Insurance issued the following news release:

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a modernized and redesigned Medicare Plan Finder, making it easier to compare coverage options and shop for Medicare health and drug plans.

Medicare Open Enrollment is the time for people with Medicare to review their health coverage, which runs from October 15, 2019 to December 7, 2019. There are more than 60 million people with Medicare coverage.

What's new about the Medicare Plan Finder?

The updated Medicare Plan Finder provides a personalized experience through a mobile friendly and easy-to-read design that will help customers learn about different options and select coverage that best meets their health needs. However, the online tools do not replace Medicare's traditional customer service options.

Benefits of the new Medicare Plan Finder helps customers with the following:

* Compare pricing In Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies side-by-side

* Provides tech savvy support to compare options on smartphones and tablets

* Get plan costs and benefits, including which Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits

* Build a personal drug list and find Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage

For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. In addition, staff with Idaho's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Program, a unit of the Idaho Department of Insurance, is available to answer questions at 1-800-247-4422.

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About the Department of Insurance

The Idaho Department of Insurance has been regulating the business of insurance in Idaho since 1901. The mission of the Department is to serve and protect Idahoans by equitably, effectively and efficiently administering the Idaho Insurance Code and the International Fire Code. For more information, visit doi.idaho.gov.