The Medicare Rights Center is a national nonprofit consumer advocacy center whose sole purpose is to ensure the safe access to affordable healthcare for older adults and those with disabilities. The center was founded in 1989, and has offices in New York City and Washington DC. It operates phone hotlines, internet services, a large volunteer network and community programs in all states. The center’s funding comes from private foundations, public contracts, corporate donations and private contributors.
The center operates the Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Project (MMAP) whose purpose is to provide weekly personal counseling services to seniors. Volunteers help people apply for medicare, gain services and educate them on their own medical rights. If a client cannot speak for themselves, then a member of the Medicare Rights Center will speak on their behalf.
In New York there is a program called Seniors Out Speaking on Medicare (SOS Medicare) which trains and organizes volunteers to educate their peers about medicare. Specific senior related issues are highlighted in the training and the volunteers then take their knowledge and speak at local senior centers, churches, clubs and housing projects. The SOS program works well, largely because it is run and staffed by seniors, and thus an element of trust felt by the people they are helping.
Hotline counseling is another service provided by the Medicare Rights Center. Those who have questions, worries or feel confusion about medicare or their own insurance can call in and get help. Some of the most common subjects discussed and taught are as follows:
Medicare Coverage Basics
What is Medicare and what does it cover? What do parts A, B and D mean? What is not covered by Medicare and how does my private insurance fit in? What drugs are covered?
Medicare Eligibility
Do I have to be over 65 years of age to qualify for Medicare? What if I am under 65? Am I eligible for the drug benefit? Can I apply for my infirm spouse?
Enrolling in Medicare
I am turning 65 and have retirement benefits, when can I enroll in Medicare? I have a disability and am turning 65, how do I get Medicare and what am I eligible for? I am still working, should I still enroll in Medicare? I have an insurance program from a previous job, should I still enroll in Medicare? I like my private health insurance plan, should I still enroll in Medicare?
Medicare Plan Options
What are my choices with a Medicare health plan? Can I change my plan when I want to? Can I change my Medicare private plan when I want to? How do I compare private plans? What are some questions I should ask a private health plan company?
Medicare Costs
What do I have to pay for each part of the Medicare health plan? Will the costs change?
Filling in Gap Costs in Medicare
How can I get help paying for things I need that are not covered by Medicare? Is there insurance I can buy to help with those costs?
Medicare Rights
What rights do I have in Medicare? Is it hard top exercise my rights? What do I do if my private Medicare plan will not pay for care I have already received? What if I cannot get the care I need? What do I do if the drug I need is not covered by Medicare or it is too expensive?
The Medicare Rights Center is a valuable resource for anyone with questions on Medicare, regardless of age. Many family members and caregivers of the elderly or disabled have found themselves needing assistance from the center. The center’s work begins with the impoverished senior who is most in need and works its way to the confused family member trying to make sense of what their loved one’s private health insurance covers and what Medicare can help with.
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-- Download The Medicare Rights Center as PDF --
