Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program (also called “Extra Help”) can be a lifeline, helping low- and moderate-income beneficiaries pay for coverage they would not otherwise be able to afford. But aspects of the program are woefully outdated, making it difficult for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries to access the help they […]
The Medicare Rights Center is a New York-based, national advocacy organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities. With 30 years of experience working with beneficiaries, families, and professionals, Medicare Rights possesses specialized knowledge about the barriers people with Medicare face […]
Reforms to the Part D appeals process are long overdue, a need made ever-more urgent by a growing Medicare-eligible population, the increased use of utilization management strategies by plans, and ongoing efforts to tackle high and rising prescription drug prices—all of which could push more beneficiaries into this broken system. […]
The Medicare Part D appeals process is an essential safety valve that allows older adults and people with disabilities to access and afford needed prescriptions. However, complexities in the current system can make it difficult for beneficiaries to obtain the relief they need. On Medicare Rights’ National Consumer Helpline, we […]
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) strengthened Medicare and Medicaid and created important coverage avenues and consumer protections for people of all ages. Despite these successes, the health law remains under attack in Congress, the states, and the courts.
In 2017, Medicare Rights staff and volunteers addressed more than 15,000 questions and issues through the organization’s national helpline. In addition, over 2.8 million questions were answered for people with Medicare, their caregivers, and professionals serving them through Medicare Interactive, Medicare Rights’ free and independent online reference tool thoughtfully designed to help older adults and people with disabilities navigate the complex world of health insurance. This report will feature select helpline trends and highlight the most commonly searched for Medicare Interactive answers, providing a glimpse into the information and coverage needs of Medicare beneficiaries and their families.
In 2016, the Medicare Rights Center’s (Medicare Rights) staff and helpline volunteers fielded more than 16,758 questions and issues through the organization’s National Consumer Helpline. Clients included Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers across the country. As in previous years, clients were geographically and socioeconomically diverse, and needed help with a wide array of complex Medicare-related issues.
Improving New York State Access to Medicare Savings Programs This brief spotlights ways to improve access to Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) in New York. MSPs can help Medicare beneficiaries with low-incomes save thousands of dollars in health care costs each year, however, they are consistently under-enrolled and under-utilized. Drawing on […]
What It Means for Medicare and Medicaid Consumers and Consumer Advocates, and Recommendations for Making New Models Work Better August 2017 Support for this work was provided by United Hospital Fund, an independent, nonprofit organization working to build a more effective health care system for every New Yorker. The views […]
An Analysis of 2015 Call Data from the Medicare Rights Center’s National Helpline March 2017 | Samantha Morales, Frederic Riccardi, Julie Carter, Stacy Sanders Introduction and Summary In 2015, the Medicare Rights Center’s (Medicare Rights) staff and helpline volunteers fielded more than 16,000 questions and issues through the organization’s national helpline. […]
