/ Case Study

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

Creating a user-friendly content-rich website with a robust searchable document library.

/ Intro

Advising Congress on Medicare Issues

Empowering Congressional Advisors with Digital Excellence

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent congressional agency established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, serves as the cornerstone of Medicare program guidance for Congress. When they needed to revolutionize their digital platform, they turned to Materiell to create a solution that matched their mission's importance.

This partnership resulted in an award-winning digital design that earned the prestigious Best in Class Award 2022 from Interactive Media Council, Inc., proving that excellence in government digital solutions is both achievable and measurable.

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Challenge

MedPAC struggled with a previous content management system that was less than ideal for staff productivity and challenged website visitors with limited search functionality. The platform's interface and performance issues created significant barriers for their targeted Congressional audience seeking critical Medicare information, and the previous site did not meet government accessibility standards.

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Approach

Materiell engineered a custom WordPress solution that balances advanced functionality with intuitive usability. Integration of ElasticSearch dramatically improved search capabilities with thoughtfully organized categories and filters more aligned with user behavior patterns. Our solution prioritized WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance while delivering robust security protocols and a speedy and intuitive user interface.

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Outcome

The new platform earned the Best in Class Award 2022 from Interactive Media Council, Inc., dramatically improving both staff efficiency and user experience. The staff were pleased with the new, more efficient workflows and search capabilities. And, the modern design was so successful that MedPAC adopted it across their print materials, setting a new standard for government digital solutions.

Medpac project ima best in class postthumb 1

The Details

/ Services

  • Enterprise Managed WordPress Hosting
  • Ongoing WordPress Maintenance and Support
  • Advanced Content Migration
  • Accessibility Consultation and Improvements
  • Custom WordPress Design and Development
  • Advanced Search and Filtering Development

/ Technologies

  • WordPress
  • ElasticSearch
  • Google Cloud
  • Content Delivery Network
  • Advanced Monitoring and Response
Macpac cards
/

Understanding

Client Needs

MedPAC required a comprehensive digital transformation to serve their diverse audiences effectively. The existing website struggled with poor search functionality and dated design, creating barriers for visitors seeking critical Medicare information. The site's outdated content management system posed significant challenges for staff, with its clunky interface and limited usability causing frequent disruptions to site performance. Few team members could effectively manage content updates, and those who did often encountered technical issues that impacted the visitor experience. Additionally, the MedPAC team prioritized bringing the new site in line with current accessibility guidelines and implementing robust security features that met government standards.

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Developing

Winning Solutions

Materiell engineered a sophisticated solution that balanced advanced functionality with intuitive usability. The platform's flexible architecture accommodated MedPAC's complex requirements while simplifying content management for staff. Integration of ElasticSearch dramatically improved search capabilities, with carefully organized categories and filters aligned with user behavior patterns. The modern interface adhered to accessibility standards while maintaining MedPAC's brand identity. The site runs on Google Cloud with robust security protocols, featuring continuous monitoring and comprehensive backup systems. Our ongoing partnership includes regular maintenance, technical support, and strategic planning sessions to adapt to evolving organizational needs.