--- title: "Computerized insurance choices in Medicare Pt D enrollees. | Sutter Health" description: "Providing an online pt-centered decision-support tool increased seniors' satisfaction with choosing a Rx drug plan and increased plan switching." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/computerized-insurance-choices-in-medicare-pt-d-enrollees-1055312523" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Computerized insurance choices in Medicare Pt D enrollees. # Machine-based expert recommendations and insurance choices among Medicare Part D enrollees. Bundorf MK, Polyakova M, Stults C, Meehan A, Klimke R, Pun T, Chan AS, & Tai-Seale M. _Health Aff (Millwood). 38(3):482-490. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05017._ 2019-03-01 ## Abstract Choosing a health insurance plan is difficult for many people, and patient-centered decision support may help consumers make these choices. We tested whether providing a patient-centered decision-support tool-with or without machine-based, personalized expert recommendations-influenced decision outcomes for Medicare Part D enrollees. We found that providing an online patient-centered decision-support tool increased older adults' satisfaction with the process of choosing a prescription drug plan and the amount of time they spent choosing a plan. Providing personalized expert recommendations as well increased rates of plan switching. Many people who could have accessed the tool chose not to, and the characteristics of people who used the tool differed from those who did not. We conclude that a patient-centered decision-support tool providing personalized expert recommendations can help people choose a plan, but different approaches may be necessary to encourage more people to periodically reevaluate their options. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30830808) ![Cheryl Stults, Ph.D.](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/3IhveEwq-t5WoqAzSNGeAr-4g4yrj4v7x1QcPGdCX_s/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Cheryl Stults, Ph.D. Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/cheryl-stults-phd-1049681000) ## Research topics - [Aging and Longevity](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Aging+and+Longevity%5C%22%22) - [Health Policy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Policy%5C%22%22) - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Time allocation in primary care office visits.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/time-allocation-in-primary-care-office-visits-1055312655) Tai-Seale M, McGuire TG, Zhang W. Health Serv Res. 42(5):1871-94. 2007 Oct 01 - Publication ### [Patient experiences in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-experiences-selecting-medicare-part-d-rx-drug-plan-1055312300) Stults CD, Baskin AS, Bundorf MK, Tai-Seale M. J Patient Experience. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373517739413 2017 Nov 21 - Publication ### [Medicare annual preventive care visits: use increased among fee-for-service patients, but many do not participate.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/medicare-preventive-care-in-fee-for-svce-pts-1055312874) Chung S, Lesser LI, Lauderdale DS, Johns NE, Palaniappan LP, Luft HS. Health Aff (Millwood). 34(1):11-20. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0483. 2015 Jan 01 - Publication ### [How home hospice care facilitates patient and family engagement.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/home-hospice-facilitates-pt-family-engagemt-1055312538) Dillon EC. Death Stud. 1-10. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2016 Nov 04 - Publication ### [Physician practice participation in accountable care organizations: the emergence of the unicorn.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/physician-practice-participation-in-acos-1055312896) Shortell SM, McClellan SR, Ramsay PP, Casalino LP, Ryan AM, Copeland KR. Health Serv Res. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12167. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2014 Mar 15 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/computerized-insurance-choices-in-medicare-pt-d-enrollees-1055312523#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Computerized insurance choices in Medicare Pt D enrollees."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/computerized-insurance-choices-in-medicare-pt-d-enrollees-1055312523#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Machine-based expert recommendations and insurance choices among Medicare Part D enrollees.","headline":"Computerized insurance choices in Medicare Pt D enrollees.","abstract":"Choosing a health insurance plan is difficult for many people, and patient-centered decision support may help consumers make these choices. 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