Research and Development

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Independent Study:

Redesign the Medicare Summary Notice. A study of patient medical information.

Preview Prototype:

Concept: Medicare Patient Report (124KB )

Medicare's original version: Summary Notice
» Part B, Medicare Form (79KB )
» How to Read: Medicare Summary Notice

Design Parameters

Eliminate confusion about Medicare beneficiary services. Help deter Medicare fraud.

Solution

1. Clarify payment disbursement for patient.
2. Highlight vital services and Medicare costs.
3. Inform Medicare beneficiaries about costs by comparing same services to state averages.

Background

Medicare is a health insurance program of the United States government. Established in 1965, Medicare provides access to essential hospital, medical and drug prescription services to 'beneficiaries', citizens over 65 as well as people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease.

Funded by tax payers, Medicare subsidizes all or part of the health bills submitted by participating Medicare providers. Every quarter, patient's receive a “Medicare Summary Notice” which lists medical services received, the cost of healthcare, and if additional services or costs not covered by Medicare will have to be paid by the beneficiary's private insurance.

At first glance, the Medicare Patient Report focuses on making the payment information more legible for seniors. In contrast to the current 'Medicare Summary Notice', the proposed redesign helps beneficiaries not only identify but compare costs for services they received by providing their state's average cost for similar services.

Included in the Medicare Patient Report is an alternative patient ID# replacing the use of the patient's social security number.