Advocates Seek Better Notification for Those Nearing Medicare Eligibility

Forty-four organizations, including the Medicare Rights Center, urged the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Social Security Administration to implement a system for notifying individuals approaching Medicare eligibility to inform them of their rights and obligation as they near enrollment.

The organizations asked that the agencies to ensure that all individuals nearing Medicare eligibility receive timely and complete notice about Medicare enrollment. According to the letter, such a system will ensure that fewer people new to the Medicare program are saddled with higher health care costs or go without needed health care services due to gaps in coverage and late enrollment penalties resulting from missing enrollment windows.

In particular, the letter suggests the following:

• Provide notice about nearing Medicare eligibility to all individuals turning age 65;

• Ensure that notices include key messages about coordination of benefits and delaying enrollment;

• Carefully engage other messengers, including health plans, employers and states;

• Strengthen notice for those who are auto-enrolled into Medicare; and

• Develop notices and educational materials in additional languages and alternate formats.

The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives.  Click here to read the letter.