Medicare Site Has Faulty Tool, Avoid Misinformation With EZ

Looking for Medicare quotes? Did you use Medicare’s Plan Finder Tool on their site, Medicare.gov? If so, you could’ve been given the wrong information, which could be costing you hundreds of dollars. The Medicare Plan Finder tool had some bugs that needed to be fixed, so, in August, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated it. However, the tool is currently still  giving seniors incorrect price estimates, and wrong coverage information. You don’t have to worry about that with EZ. We give you accurate quotes, every time. 

caucasian hands holding open an empty wallet.
The misinformation the tool provides can lead Medicare beneficiaries to lose a lot of money.

The Problem With The Tool

Even with the August revamp, Medicare beneficiaries have been just as confused as ever. The tool has been showing inaccurate premium estimates, incorrect prescription drug costs, and inaccurate coverage costs. Beneficiaries are at risk of choosing the wrong coverage because of this inaccurate information. They will then be stuck with this plan for the entire year, and will be losing money while they wait for the next open enrollment period.

One Medicare consultant in Wisconsin used the tool to research prescription drug plans for a client, and was shocked by the results. She started checking the plans’ websites, and came across two versions of the same high blood pressure medication. One was covered, while the other was not. The difference in price was $2,700 a month.

Accurate Quotes With EZ

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EZ.Insure uses state-of-the-art technology to provide accurate live quotes every time.

Here at EZ, we make sure we do our research and homework. EZ.Insure uses state-of-the-art technology to provide accurate live quotes. This means that the quotes provided are the prices you would pay for the plan if you signed up today. Getting a live quote is important because as the market and personal situations change, insurance prices will also change.

Avoid all of the work of trying to find an accurate quote. Using the Medicare Plan Finder Tool can leave you with inaccurate quotes, and false information. If you’re not an expert in insurance, then errors, or simple ignorance, can cost you tons of money. It’s your health, and it’s important. 

The CMS is currently working on fixing the issues with the Medicare Plan Finder Tool. In the meantime, if you are seeking Medicare advice, it would be best to contact a Medicare agent. An agent who is familiar with plans and the coverage they provide can help guide you in a better, more accurate direction. EZ.Insure has highly trained agents in your region that can offer you accurate quotes on plans available, and help you save. If you would like to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207. Or if you would like an instant quote, enter your zip code in the bar above.

Beware This Faulty Medicare Tool!

The federal government designed a tool to help seniors navigate through all their possible Medicare choices. This was created for them to be able to choose their best option. There have been some bugs that needed to be fixed, so the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, updated the Medicare Plan Finder tool in August. However, the tool is still currently giving seniors incorrect price estimates, and wrong coverage information.

older caucasian hands on the keyboard of a leptop
The Medicare Plan Finder Tool is a tool on the Medicare.gov site that helps consumers navigate through Medicare plans and prices

The Medicare Finder Tool

The Medicare Plan Finder Tool is a tool on the Medicare.gov site that helps consumers navigate through Medicare plans and prices before signing up. The tool was developed in 2005, but in August of 2019, it was revamped and redesigned. 

The Issue With The Tool

Even with the revamp, Medicare beneficiaries have been just as confused as ever. The tool has been showing inaccurate premium estimates. Incorrect prescription drug costs, and inaccurate coverage costs. If a beneficiary chooses the wrong coverage due to the inaccurate information provided, it can cost them a lot of money for the whole year they are stuck with the plan until the next open enrollment.

Per ProPublica, a Medicare consultant in Wisconsin used the tool to research prescription drug plans for a client, and was shocked by the results. The consultant stated that when she searched for them, the comparison page showed all but one of her client’s medications would be covered. So the consultant dug deeper by clicking on “plan details” to find out which medication was left out. She then saw that the plan finder said all of the medications were covered.

She started checking the plans’ websites, and came across two versions of the same high blood pressure medication. One was covered, while the other was not. The difference in price was $2,700 a month.

In Nebraska, an insurance administrator flagged about 100 errors since she began working with the tool in October. 

“Millions of people are going to be absolutely affected,” said Ann Kayrish, senior program manager for Medicare at the National Council on Aging. “And you hate to think about millions of people having the wrong plan. That’s kind of crazy.”

red sign with the words "wrong way" on it
The Medicare Tool has been giving seniors the wrong information on coverage and prices.

“It’s not like there’s one consistent problem that you can fix and then be addressed,” said David Lipschutz, associate director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “It’s really like a game of whack-a-mole.”

What You Can Do

CMS has spent $11 million dollars in order to revamp the tool. But the misinformation it gives is alarming, especially when seniors are struggling as it is to pay for Medicare costs and prescription drugs. Using the tool and enrolling into a plan that ends up costing a medicare beneficiary too much, they will struggle, and possibly end up with major financial issues.

The CMS is currently working on fixing the issues. In the meantime, if you are seeking Medicare advice, it would be best to contact a Medicare agent. A Medicare agent who is familiar with plans and their coverage can help guide you in a better, more accurate direction. EZ.Insure offers highly trained agents in your region that can offer you accurate quotes on plans available. If you would like to speak to an agent, call 888-753-7207 or email us at replies@ez.insure. Or if you would like an instant quote, enter your zip code in the bar above.