The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new app that gives consumers direct access on a mobile device to some of the most-used content on Medicare.gov. The new “What’s Covered” app lets people with Original Medicare, caregivers, and others quickly see whether Medicare covers a specific medical item or service. The app also provides beneficiaries with access to Blue Button 2.0, an application programming interface, created by the US Digital Service, that enables beneficiaries with different needs to grant access to developers who can help them monitor for drug conflicts, refill prescriptions, and track progress toward desired healthcare outcomes.
CMS launched the eMedicare initiative in 2018 to empower beneficiaries with cost and quality information. Other tools in the eMedicare suite include:
- Enhanced interactive online decision support to help beneficiaries better understand and evaluate their Medicare coverage options and costs between Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
- A new online service that lets people see how different coverage choices will affect their estimated out-of-pocket costs.
- New price transparency tools that let consumers compare the national average costs of certain procedures between settings, so people can see what they’ll pay for procedures done in a hospital outpatient department versus an ambulatory surgical center.
- A new webchat option in the Medicare Plan Finder.
The What’s Covered app is available for free in Google Play.
