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Combat COVID-19

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Letter to Senate Leaders on COVID-19 Relief Priorities

July 29, 2020

We recognize the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic downturn will have lasting impacts on people with Medicare and the program, and that additional policy solutions will be necessary as the situation evolves. In the next congressional relief package, however, we urge lawmakers to focus on reforms that are urgently needed to help people with Medicare maintain their health, safety, and independence during the crisis and beyond. To that end, in our July 29 letter we recommend specific strategies to improve Medicare enrollment; support beneficiary health, safety, and financial security; and strengthen Medicaid and other community living programs.

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Joint Principles from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Medicare Rights Center: Medicare Expansion of Telehealth Helps Beneficiaries Access Care During the Pandemic–But Caution is Needed Before Making These Changes Permanent

July 23, 2020

As policymakers consider the post-pandemic Medicare telehealth landscape, the Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy offer our shared perspective on next steps. In these joint principles, we urge a cautious, thoughtful, and evidence-based approach that centers the unique and evolving needs of people with Medicare.

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Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

June 1, 2020

The novel coronavirus, “SARS-CoV-2,” has proven especially dangerous to populations that Medicare serves—people 65 years and older, people who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and people of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions, including those with permanent disabilities. Because of this, Medicare Rights greatly appreciates the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to streamline and enhance Medicare coverage during the public health emergency (PHE).

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Letter to CMS About COVID-19 Requests

March 25, 2020

On behalf of the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights), thank you for your agency’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. As this work continues, we write today to respectfully request several improvements to the Medicare enrollment process that are urgently needed to better facilitate access to coverage and care during this challenging time.

Read More »

Letter to Senate Leaders on COVID-19 Relief Priorities

July 29, 2020

We recognize the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic downturn will have lasting impacts on people with Medicare and the program, and that additional policy solutions will be necessary as the situation evolves. In the next congressional relief package, however, we urge lawmakers to focus on reforms that are urgently needed to help people with Medicare maintain their health, safety, and independence during the crisis and beyond. To that end, in our July 29 letter we recommend specific strategies to improve Medicare enrollment; support beneficiary health, safety, and financial security; and strengthen Medicaid and other community living programs.

Joint Principles from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Medicare Rights Center: Medicare Expansion of Telehealth Helps Beneficiaries Access Care During the Pandemic–But Caution is Needed Before Making These Changes Permanent

July 23, 2020

As policymakers consider the post-pandemic Medicare telehealth landscape, the Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy offer our shared perspective on next steps. In these joint principles, we urge a cautious, thoughtful, and evidence-based approach that centers the unique and evolving needs of people with Medicare.

Letter to CMS on Extending Medicare Enrollment Flexibilities

June 17, 2020

Medicare Rights and 40 leading advocacy organizations sent a letter to CMS, requesting extensions of several expiring enrollment flexibilities that are helping Medicare-eligible individuals connect with their coverage and care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

June 1, 2020

The novel coronavirus, “SARS-CoV-2,” has proven especially dangerous to populations that Medicare serves—people 65 years and older, people who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and people of all ages with serious underlying medical conditions, including those with permanent disabilities. Because of this, Medicare Rights greatly appreciates the efforts of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to streamline and enhance Medicare coverage during the public health emergency (PHE).

Letter to CMS About COVID-19 Requests

March 25, 2020

On behalf of the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights), thank you for your agency’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. As this work continues, we write today to respectfully request several improvements to the Medicare enrollment process that are urgently needed to better facilitate access to coverage and care during this challenging time.