The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just announced some significant enhancements to the Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) and Medicare.gov. Let's go over those changes.
Provider Directory Integration: For the first time, MPF will include Medicare Advantage provider directory information directly on the platform. No more sending clients to multiple websites to check if their doctors are in-network!
Enhanced Supplemental Benefits Display: The current "some coverage" and "no coverage" labels for supplemental benefits are getting a major upgrade. Starting October 1, 2025, MPF will show detailed cost-sharing information, authorization requirements, and plan limits for all supplemental benefits – just like it currently does for hearing, dental, and vision. Plus, they're adding six new supplemental benefits to the detailed display, including weight management programs, home-based palliative care, and adult day health services.
New AI-Powered Drug Search Tool: CMS is launching a personalized drug search feature (expected fall 2025) that will help authenticated users find the lowest-cost pharmacies in their area for their specific medications. This tool will be separate from the main MPF workflow but could be a valuable resource for your clients.
These updates should make the experience with MPF much smoother.
Instead of juggling multiple browser tabs to check provider networks, you'll be able to show clients everything in one place on MPF. The enhanced supplemental benefits display will also make it easier to explain the value of different plans' extra benefits.
Important Note: While CMS is working to include as many MA plans as possible in the new provider directory feature, some plans may not be included initially. If a plan's provider data isn't available through the new system, MPF will simply link to the plan's own provider directory – so you'll still need to know how to navigate those individual carrier sites.
As always, we'll keep you updated as more details become available.
