The government's health insurance website is getting a major upgrade, which should make it easier for consumers to get answers to basic questions regarding physicians, medications and costs while window-shopping, according to a CMS document provided to the Associated Press.
Window-shopping is a popular feature of HealthCare.gov that allows consumers to browse for taxpayer-subsidized health insurance plans. If the testing currently in progress goes smoothly, new e-commerce tools could ease the process of selecting a health plan when the 2016 enrollment period begins Nov. 1, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Many consumers have complained the process is overwhelming and it is difficult to find out specific details on plans. With the new upgrades, consumers would be able to enter in their physician, hospital and medication information as they browse online. When comparing plans, they would see whether these physicians, hospitals and drugs are covered, according to the report.
The improved website will also include a feature that helps consumers calculate expected total costs. These estimations take premiums, cost-sharing for services like office visits and deductibles into account.
The Obama administration had no comment on its plans for the website, according to the report.