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Celebrating 35 years of making Medicare more accessible, affordable, and equitable!
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Coverage and Benefits

Medicare provides health coverage to over 60 million older adults and people with disabilities, paying for important medical care in hospital and outpatient settings. Nearly 12.5 million beneficiaries also rely on Medicaid, which helps with affordability through the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), and covers services Medicare does not, such as long-term services and supports. The Medicare Rights Center supports strengthening Medicare and Medicaid, modernizing benefits and financial assistance, and bolstering the workers and caregivers who deliver this vital care.

Back to Policy

Improving Medicare Savings Programs

March 1, 2023

Current Medicare policies expose low- and moderate-income beneficiaries to excessive out-of-pocket costs. For those who qualify, the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can be a lifeline, helping them pay premiums and, in some cases, cost sharing for Medicare coverage they would not otherwise be able to afford. But the application process in most states is complex and burdensome, and the eligibility requirements leave far too many people who need this assistance unable to get it.

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Access to Medicare Supplemental Insurance Policies (Medigaps)

March 1, 2023

While it is relatively easy for a Medicare beneficiary to enroll into and disenroll from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan on an annual basis, there are limited windows of opportunity to join a Medigap plan. This means that people who want to switch from MA to traditional Medicare may not have the option for supplemental coverage they need, which may lock them into MA coverage. In order for Medicare beneficiaries to have true freedom of choice concerning their coverage options, Medigap plan access must be strengthened.

Read More »

Improving Medicare Savings Programs

March 1, 2023

Current Medicare policies expose low- and moderate-income beneficiaries to excessive out-of-pocket costs. For those who qualify, the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) can be a lifeline, helping them pay premiums and, in some cases, cost sharing for Medicare coverage they would not otherwise be able to afford. But the application process in most states is complex and burdensome, and the eligibility requirements leave far too many people who need this assistance unable to get it.

Access to Medicare Supplemental Insurance Policies (Medigaps)

March 1, 2023

While it is relatively easy for a Medicare beneficiary to enroll into and disenroll from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan on an annual basis, there are limited windows of opportunity to join a Medigap plan. This means that people who want to switch from MA to traditional Medicare may not have the option for supplemental coverage they need, which may lock them into MA coverage. In order for Medicare beneficiaries to have true freedom of choice concerning their coverage options, Medigap plan access must be strengthened.

CELEBRATING

YEARS

Join the anniversary celebration!

Let's continue making history

Help us honor 35 years of making Medicare more affordable, accessible, and equitable. Sign up to receive special alerts with ways to support our 35 years of service to older adults and people with disabilities. Learn more at www.medicarerights.org/35.