Medicare beneficiaries can rejoice because the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are finally starting to leverage modern technology to solve the problems and woes many faces when it comes to coverage. As part of their eMedicare initiative, the CMS has recently launched its ‘What’s Covered’ app, which is a complete game changer.
While you will need a smartphone, tablet, or any other device compatible with the What’s Covered app, the revolutionary new service will answer some of the hardest questions you may have. Here’s everything you need to know to take full advantage of this new application.
The new What's Covered app is available on smartphones and tablets, and allows those with Original Medicare to check the status of what procedures and tests are covered by their Medicare. Patients can also check what their copayment will be to better plan for costs associated with their healthcare needs.
Even though the What’s Covered app will provide you with the information you need, you will still have the ability to find answers to all your Medicare questions via the official Medicare website, or even by calling the CMS. Although, the new eMedicare initiative, including the new What’s Covered app, aims to help Medicare beneficiaries save time and money without going through the often elongated process of trying to contact someone from the Medicare offices.
Depending on your device, you’ll be able to download the What’s Covered app from either the Google Play store or the Apple App store. A quick search for ‘What’s Covered,’ should yield the CMS app as one of the first results. You can also search for Medicare, or most Medicare-related terms, and browse until you find the What’s Covered app.
It should be noted the What's Covered app is a new app. The app is compatible with the latest model phones. There is not too much information available on which operating system you will need for your iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone or tablet to be.
If you have the latest phone, one that was manufactured in 2018, you will have no problems with compatibility. However, if you have a phone manufactured prior to 2018, you will have to run a compatibility check at the Google Play or Apple App store.
The What's Covered app is part of the eMedicare initiative and was designed for ease of use. The eMedicare initiative is an effort put into place under the Trump Administration to try and bring Medicare into the 21st century. With the What's Covered app, users are able to search through topics related to their queries via their easy to use search interface.
When you search through the What's Covered app, you will find answers to common questions about what is covered by your traditional Medicare Part A and Part B. The app works similar to Medicare.gov. Ask a question and you will receive a list of answers.
However, instead of opening your browser and searching through Medicare.gov, you are given an easier alternative. The What's Covered app covers all topics related to what is and what is not covered by your Original Medicare.
Given the fact you no longer need to wait on hold with the CMS, you can get the information you desire in a faster way. Also, with the Whats Covered app, you do not need an internet connection. You can search through it while at the hospital or doctor's office where the internet is not welcome. After you find the information you need, you can discuss it immediately with the attending physician.
There is one key feature of the eMedicare initiative that is sweeping the nation. These initiatives are that online decision support, better online services, pricing tools, and easier surveys. The goal of eMedicare initiatives is to better assist those with Medicare find the answers they are looking for easier.
The number of person's with Medicare is expected to double by the year 2030. So, in anticipation of this, these initiatives are slowly being brought to the forefront. As for the surveys, yes you currently find these on Medicare.gov, but in the near future, they will be easier to understand and fill out.
