--- title: "Study Compares Tools for Choosing Medicare Drug Plans | Sutter Health" description: "A Sutter-authored study found patients were more satisfied choosing Medicare Part D plans with a new patient-centered tool than with Medicare.gov's Plan Finder." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/comparative-usability-study-of-a-newly-created-patient-centered-tool-and-medicare-gov-plan-finder" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) / 3. Comparative Usability Study Of A Newly Created Patient Centered Tool And Medicare Gov Plan Finder # Comparative Usability Study of a Newly Created Patient-Centered Tool and Medicare.gov Plan Finder to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Choose Prescription Drug Plans A Sutter-authored study found patients were more satisfied choosing Medicare Part D plans with a new patient-centered tool than with Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. March 6, 2019 by Sutter Health ![Comparative Usability Study of a Newly Created Patient-Centered Tool and Medicare.gov Plan Finder to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Choose Prescription Drug Plans](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/research-and-innovation/Comparative-Usability-Study-of-a-Newly-Created-PatientCentered-Tool-and-Medicare-gov-Plan-F-54301fd9.jpg?h=480&iar=0&w=720 "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 _Journal of Patient Experience._ 2019 Mar;6(1):81-86 [View the study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572936/) ### 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. **Keywords:**  Medicare Part D; medical decision making; mixed methods; patient-centered decision support; usability study. ## Topics [Technology and Health](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Technology+and+Health%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Related articles ### [A Workplace Built on Purpose and Possibility](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/a-workplace-built-on-purpose-and-possibility) ### [When Communities Lead Healthcare](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/community-impact/when-communities-lead-healthcare) ### [Sutter Health Collaborates with OpenEvidence to Bring Evidence-Based, AI-Powered Insights into Physician Workflows](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/sutter-health-collaborates-with-openevidence-to-bring-evidence-based-ai-powered-insights-into) ### [Sutter Recognized for Using Technology to Improve Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/sutter-recognized-for-using-technology-to-improve-care) [See all from Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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