Medicare Rights Center Addresses Enrollment Pitfalls
- By BSTQ Staff
The Medicare Rights Center has released a new Medicare Snapshot: Stories from the Helpline that addresses Medicare enrollment pitfalls and outlines needed improvements, including better notice for newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, enhanced support for employers and other messengers, streamlined Medicare enrollment periods and expanded avenues for recourse. “Too frequently, individuals mistakenly delay or decline Part B enrollment because they are unaware of their rights and obligations,” said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center. “For those who fail to enroll in Part B in a timely manner, possible consequences include gaps in coverage, lifetime premium penalties and disruptions in accessing needed care. Costly and disruptive Medicare enrollment mistakes are increasingly common and deserve the attention of federal lawmakers.”
The Medicare Snapshot also offers consumers advice. For assistance, beneficiaries and caregivers can visit Medicare Rights’ informational website at www.medicareinteractive.org, or they can call the national helpline at (800) 333-4114. Medicare Snapshot: Stories from the Helpline is available at www.medicarerights.org/medicare-snapshot-april-2015.
