WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council on Aging (NCOA) recently launched a newly enhanced version of itsMyMedicareMatters.org website, offering more personalized tools and enrollment advice designed to help consumers understand Medicare.
NCOA said in a release announcing the updated website that the unbiased information and assistance of MyMedicareMatters.orgremains the same, but now says it is the friendliest Medicare decision tool available.
“The redesigned MyMedicareMatters.org website is optimized to help consumers access the information most useful and important for them,” said Jay Greenberg, ScD, Chief Executive Officer of NCOA Services, LLC. “Most Medicare websites provide large chunks of hard-to-understand information and leave the consumer on their own to figure out their options. MyMedicareMatters.org is now a personal experience from homepage to enrollment.”
The updated site includes these important consumer tools:
- Visual learning: Rather than long blocks of information that are hard to digest, important topics are presented in a more visual form and technical subjects are now easy-to-follow infographics. Research has found that people are more comfortable when information is presented in a visual way and are more likely to electronically share the information with others.
• Pick-your-situation navigation: Rather than guessing where to start accessing information, the homepage now offers easy routes to getting started. Consumers simply have to pick their stage in the Medicare journey and the site will point them in the direction of the most relevant information.
• People Like Me: This exciting new tool is a story-based guide to Medicare. Characters from different life situations guide users along the decision journey by sharing their stories and discussing the steps they took choosing Medicare coverages.
• ‘What Matters Today’ blog: While the basics of Medicare remain the same, consumers need a place to turn to find out about the small changes. The new ‘What Matters Today’ blog will provide information, reminders about upcoming Medicare changes, and will address the misinformation about Medicare that often accompanies discussed changes.
• Enhanced MedicareQuickCheck® (MQC): Utilizing visual learning techniques, the enhanced MQC can now dynamically guide users to a personalized report of their Medicare options, whether they are new to Medicare, eligible for a special enrollment period, or reviewing optimal coverage options during the annual enrollment period.
• Resource Library: A new collection of resources including videos, easy to understand infographics, a glossary of Medicare terms, and FAQ partly based on questions MMM has received from consumers.
As part of the MyMedicareMatters.org experience, consumers have always had an option of personal help enrolling in Medicare. For some, that may mean talking with their local State Health Insurance Program; others can receive one-on-one assistance from Benefits Advisors (licensed insurance agents) through the Aon Retiree Health Exchange, a competitive marketplace that helps guide retirees through the process of selecting and enrolling in healthcare coverage. This service is at no cost to the consumer – who only pays for the insurance they choose. The enhanced website makes reaching this help an even easier process.
“We, and our partners at Aon Retiree Health Exchange, want everyone who comes to MyMedicareMatters.org to get the best information specifically designed to help them evaluate their options,” said Greenberg. “Medicare education is a priority for NCOA and Aon Retiree Health Exchange, so we are pleased that the enhancements to the site create such a comprehensive, hands-on education experience. MyMedicareMatters.org isn’t just a one-stop source for information; it’s a long-term resource for dealing with Medicare matters.”
About NCOA: The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit service and advocacy organization representing older adults and the community organizations that serve them. Its goal is to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020. For more than 60 years, NCOA has been a trusted voice and innovative problem-solver helping seniors navigate the challenges of aging in America. NCOA works with local and national partners to give older adults tools and information to stay healthy and secure, and advocates for programs and policies to improve the lives of all seniors, especially the most vulnerable. For more information, please visit www.ncoa.org.
About My Medicare Matters®: NCOA’s My Medicare Matters® is an innovative educational tool that helps individuals understand, navigate, and make the most of their Medicare coverage. The site is built on a strategic partnership between NCOA Services and Aon Retiree Health Exchange. For more information, visit MyMedicareMatters.org and @MyMedicareNCOA.
