In January, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new app called “What’s covered.” The app takes some of the most popular information from the Medicare website and puts it in the palm of patients and providers hands via an intuitive app. Medicare coverage is booming especially as our population ages and states expand coverage. For example, in 2015 over 54 million people had Medicare coverage. This is expected to explode by over 30% to more than 80 million by 2030. Reportedly, nearly two-thirds of Medicare beneficiaries use the internet daily, and Medicare coverage and prices are frequently searched items.
Per CMS, “approximately 15 million page views annually for coverage-related content on Medicare.gov and 1-800 MEDICARE receives over 3 million coverage-related calls each year.” The app will likely decrease those numbers dramatically assuming the app gains traction both in the news, word of mouth, and by providers “prescribing” the app to their patients. The primary focus for the app is on the common “what’s covered” preventive services questions. For example, the app will give patients rapid answers to whether or not a mammogram is covered and how frequently they can get them. The app contains key information on both Part A and Part B coverage and the prices for what is/isn’t covered in those two areas.
“What’s covered” contains valuable information for patients and providers alike regarding what’s covered in Medicare Part A/Part B plans. The app has an intuitive search function with bottom-line, upfront answers about specific services that are or are not covered followed by more detailed information such as age and gender restrictions, the frequency of coverage, price, etc. The app emphasizes those preventive services that are or are not covered (such as USPSTF recommendations) and both hospital and outpatient information. All data is available on the Medicare website, but the app is more user-friendly regarding Medicare — what’s covered.
Likes
- Comprehensive answers to all of our Medicare questions for Part A/B
- Intuitive interface with multiple modalities to find information
- Available for Android
Dislikes
- Requires our Medicare patients to own a smart device
- Some additional clicking and scrolling required to get to the information
- Not many links or comprehensive references available in the app
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of the Army, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.
This post originally appeared on iMedicalApps.com.
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Source: MedicalNewsToday.com
