--- title: "Pt-centered drug plan finder vs. Medicare.gov. | Sutter Health" description: "The more patient-centered prescription drug choice tool improved user experience and enabled users to choose plans more consistent with expert recommendations." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centered-drug-plan-finder-vs-medicaregov-1055312687" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. Pt-centered drug plan finder vs. Medicare.gov. # Comparative usability study of a newly created patient-centered tool and Medicare.gov plan finder to help Medicare beneficiaries choose prescription drug plans. Stults CD, Fattahi S, Meehan A, Bundorf MK, Chan AS, Pun T, & Tai-Seale M. _J Patient Exp. 6(1):81-86. doi: 10.1177/2374373518778343. Epub 2018 Jun 6._ 2019-03-01 ## Abstract Introduction: In response to reported difficulties in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, we designed a patient-centered online Part D plan selection tool (CHOICE1.0) to simplify the selection process and to provide personalized, expert recommendations. Methods: This ethnographic comparative usability study observed 44 patients using the first version of the tool during Medicare 2016 Open Enrollment. Participants were observed as they chose their drug plan using Medicare.gov and 1 of 3 versions of CHOICE1.0 that varied in amount of expert guidance. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze exit survey data. The observations were video-recorded, and field notes were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants were significantly more satisfied with CHOICE1.0 for choosing a plan, understanding information, and ease of use compared to Medicare.gov. Those using expert versions of CHOICE1.0 were more likely to indicate their intention to switch plans than those using Medicare.gov, though they wanted to know the source and content. Conclusion: The more patient-centered prescription drug choice tool improved user experience and enabled users to choose plans more consistent with expert recommendations. [PubMed abstract](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31236456) ![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) - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Health Services](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Health+Services%5C%22%22) - [Medical Informatics](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Medical+Informatics%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [An exploratory mixed-methods crossover study comparing DVD- vs. Web-based patient decision support in three conditions: The importance of patient perspectives.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/dvd-vs-web-based-patient-decision-support-1055312902) Halley MC, Rendle KA, Gillespie KA, Stanley KM, Frosch DL. Health Expect. 2014 Sep 29. doi: 10.1111/hex.12273. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2014 Sep 29 - Publication ### [Research priorities to advance the health and health care of older adults with multiple chronic conditions.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/research-advance-healthcare-srs-chronic-conds-1055312387) Tisminetzky M, Bayliss EA, Magaziner JS, Allore HG, Anzuoni K, Boyd CM, Gill TM, Go AS, Greenspan SL, Hanson LR, Hornbrook MC, Kitzman DW, Larson EB, Naylor MD, Shirley BE, Tai-Seale M, Teri L, Tinetti ME, Whitson HE, Gurwitz JH. J Am Geriatr Soc. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14943. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2017 May 26 - Publication ### [Community-based palliative care and advance care planning documentation: evidence from a multispecialty group.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/palliative-care-advance-care-planning-documentation-1055312325) Tai-Seale M, Yang Y, Dillon E, Tapper S, Lai S, Yu P, Allore H, Ritchie C. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018 Feb;66(2):327-332. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15145. Epub 2017 Oct 24. 2017 Oct 24 - Publication ### [Advance care planning in older adults with multiple chronic conditions undergoing high-risk surgery.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/advance-care-plans-with-seniors-and-high-risk-surgery-1055312419) Tang VL, Dillon EC, Yang Y, Tai-Seale M, Boscardin J, Kata A, Sudore RL. JAMA Surg. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2018.4647. \[Epub ahead of print\] 2018 Dec 05 - Publication ### [Development and implementation of ExPLORE Clinical Practice, a web-accessible comparative outcomes tool for California hospitals and physicians.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/explore-clinical-practice-outcomes-tool-hospitals-1055312954) 3(1): Article 2. eGEMs (Generating Evidence & Methods to improve patient outcomes). 2015 Feb 01 [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/pt-centered-drug-plan-finder-vs-medicaregov-1055312687#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":"Pt-centered drug plan finder vs. Medicare.gov."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/pt-centered-drug-plan-finder-vs-medicaregov-1055312687#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Comparative usability study of a newly created patient-centered tool and Medicare.gov plan finder to help Medicare beneficiaries choose prescription drug plans.","headline":"Pt-centered drug plan finder vs. Medicare.gov.","abstract":"Introduction: In response to reported difficulties in selecting a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, we designed a patient-centered online Part D plan selection tool (CHOICE1.0) to simplify the selection process and to provide personalized, expert recommendations. Methods: This ethnographic comparative usability study observed 44 patients using the first version of the tool during Medicare 2016 Open Enrollment. Participants were observed as they chose their drug plan using Medicare.gov and 1 of 3 versions of CHOICE1.0 that varied in amount of expert guidance. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze exit survey data. The observations were video-recorded, and field notes were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants were significantly more satisfied with CHOICE1.0 for choosing a plan, understanding information, and ease of use compared to Medicare.gov. Those using expert versions of CHOICE1.0 were more likely to indicate their intention to switch plans than those using Medicare.gov, though they wanted to know the source and content. 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