Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
MyPlanAdvocate is a Web-based application that searches Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Prescription Drug (Part D) plans to help Medicare beneficiaries find the plan that best meets their needs. PlanAdvocate guides Medicare beneficiaries, or their representatives, through a series of simple questions that are designed to find the coverage options that best match their personal needs and preferences. MyPlanAdvocate then searches through hundreds of plans. Within just a few minutes, MyPlanAdvocate will guide you to Medicare plans available in your area that best meet your needs and circumstances. You can even use MyPlanAdvocate to complete your enrollment in certain plans via a telephone call with a MyPlanAdvocate licensed agent. MyPlanAdvocate can also facilitate some online enrollment via a redirect to some health plans’ websites for a completely online experience.
MyPlanAdvocate guides Medicare beneficiaries, those approaching Medicare eligibility, their caregivers or representatives, to the coverage that best meets their specific needs and preferences. MyPlanAdvocate will benefit:
Any Medicare beneficiary including:
• Beneficiaries age 65 or older.
• Beneficiaries who are under 65 and have Medicare due to a disability.
• Individuals who are soon to be eligible for Medicare or those reviewing their coverage options for the first time.
• Caregivers or representatives of Medicare beneficiaries seeking information regarding Medicare coverage options.
MyPlanAdvocate founders have over 35 years of combined experience in health care for Medicare beneficiaries, e-commerce, and website usability design. This diverse group of experts understand that the process of choosing a Medicare plan can be confusing. They also recognize the growing importance of the Internet in helping Medicare beneficiaries research their options. These experts created a proprietary online technology to simplify the process for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers named MyPlanAdvocate. They share the belief that Medicare beneficiaries should have access to a consumer-friendly online tool that allows them to search for and compare Medicare health care plans, ultimately empowering them to make the decision that’s right for them.
MyPlanAdvocate utilizes the data compiled and updated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through “public use files” and the benefit data provided by health plans and health insurance companies who contract with MyPlanAdvocate. As Medicare health plans and insurance companies update their plan and benefit information, MyPlanAdvocate acquires the information, and updates all information on the MyPlanAdvocate site.
The information available through MyPlanAdvocate is reflective of Medicare options widely available in most states and counties where Medicare plans are offered. Today, MyPlanAdvocate is contracted with the health plans that represent 60 – 80 percent of Medicare consumers in private insurance in major markets. In order to give Medicare beneficiaries information regarding all of their coverage options, MyPlanAdvocate site visitors can choose to see those plans specifically contracted with My Plan Advocate, or to see all plans available in their area.
MyPlanAdvocate has consolidated Medicare information from over 25 existing databases in a unique and concise way. The MyPlanAdvocate tool processes the responses provided by the Medicare beneficiary during the Needs Assessment to narrow the search based on their personal needs. In an effort to give Medicare beneficiaries all available information regarding coverage options, they can choose to see those plans specifically contracted with MyPlanAdvocate, or to see all plans available in their area. The MyPlanAdvocate tool does not value one plan over another, nor does it consider carrier affiliations or payments.
Yes, MyPlanAdvocate feels it is. For example, according to CMS, there are more than 63 million Americans eligible for Medicare in 2022. While approximately 20% of these beneficiaries receive Medicare due to disabilities, approximately 80% of Medicare beneficiaries are seniors. According to Pew Research Center in 2017,67% of seniors over the age of 65 are active users of the Internet. Those aging into Medicare will only become more comfortable using online tools to make important health care decisions.
This site was modeled with the needs of the Medicare beneficiary in mind. MyPlanAdvocate’s creators spent 18 months researching Medicare-related web sites and collaborating with Medicare consumers to design website features. Our goal was to create a site that will be helpl Medicare recipients understand Medicare and navigate their choices. Even MyPlanAdvocate’ colors and font sizes, for example, are the result of incorporating science, technology, and direct input from Medicare consumer focus groups.
Yes. MyPlanAdvocate licensed agents are available for assistance and guidance, and are happy to answer questions, conduct a Needs Assessment, and even help you with a telephonic enrollment for certain contracted plans. Agents can be reached Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, at (800) 650-6585 711f or TTY users, with extended hours during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7th.