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Share what you've experienced in the health care system.

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Your experience matters.

Stories about the real-life experiences of older adults, people with disabilities and their family caregivers will help the public, policymakers and the press recognize the urgent need for better care. Personal stories are among the most powerful tools we have to make change happen.

Your stories are the foundation upon which better health policies are built. Personal stories show how health care policy affects your lives, and help us enlighten lawmakers about problems and trends that you help us identify. For example,

Are you having trouble paying for the medical care or prescription drugs you need?

Do you or a loved one receive care from more than one doctor or health care provider? If so, are you experiencing problems coordinating that care?

Do you have difficulty getting clear information about how to manage your health?

Are you having trouble getting all the information you need to make decisions about your health and drug coverage?

Your story will help the Medicare Rights Center’s efforts to improve Medicare. We are currently working to make care more affordable, improve the quality of care, make access to coverage easier and more consumer-friendly, and strengthen consumer protections under Original Medicare and Medicare private plans.

We are also working with the Campaign for Better Care to collect consumer stories. These stories will help us press for the changes that people with Medicare and their families urgently need.

We respect your privacy. We will always ask for your permission before sharing your name and contact information with anyone.

If you have a story to tell, please submit it below.

Submit Your Story

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Tell Your Story Form

I am a (check all that apply):

Person with Medicare who is 65 or over
Person with disabilities with Medicare
Person with both Medicare and Medicaid
Caregiver/family member of someone with Medicare
Social worker/case manager
Advocate
Other

If other, please specify:

My story is about (choose one):

Original Medicare

Are you getting the care you need? Are you having trouble paying for your supplemental coverage? How much are your out-of-pocket expenses? Are you happy with Original Medicare? Do you plan to see your doctor for a free annual wellness visit this year? Will the new free preventive benefits make a difference to you?

Medicare private health plans

Are you getting the care you need? Has your doctor or hospital dropped out of your plan's network? Is it costing you more than you expected? Were you misled into joining a plan? Are you happy with your Medicare private health plan? Do you plan to switch to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (January 1 through February 14)?

Prescription drug coverage (Part D)

Are your drugs being covered? Have you run into trouble at your doctor's office, at the pharmacy, or when you've called a Medicare private drug plan for help? Is your Medicare prescription drug plan working well for you? Will you fall into the doughnut hole this year?

Not able to afford the costs of care and prescription drugs

Is the cost of health care too expensive for you? What are the physical, financial and emotional tolls of not being able to afford the health care you need?

24-Month Medicare Waiting Period for people with disabilities

How has the 24-month waiting period affected your health? Your quality of life?

Other

If other, please specify:

We welcome all stories about the health care system. If you've suffered as a result of the system's deficiencies, please tell us so we can help expose how the system fails us. If you are happy with your current health care, please tell us how it is working for you.

Please tell us your story in your own words:

What steps did you take to address the problem? (For example: Called 1-800-MEDICARE, social worker, Medicare private health plan, etc.):

What results did you get?:

Please tell us what you need most from our health care system to meet your needs or those of the person you care for.:

We sometimes follow up with people to discuss their stories or to ask them if they would mind sharing them with the press. May we contact you? If so, please complete the information below:

First Name:

Last Name:

Age (optional):

Telephone:

*State:

*Zip:

*E-Mail:

*Please re-enter e-mail to confirm:

Would you be interested in becoming a part of the Campaign for Better Care? The Campaign is a consumer-led coalition that is working to improve the health care system so that it provides comprehensive, coordinated, patient- and family-centered care. If you choose yes, we will forward your story to the campaign coordinators.:

YesNo

If yes, how would you like to participate (check all that apply)?:

Email members of Congress, state legislators and/or other policymakers
Call members of Congress, state legislators and/or other policymakers
Write letters to the editor
Post your story for the public to read on the Campaign for Better Care’s web site.
Share your story at hearings or with the media
Join online seminars on effective advocacy
Invite your friends and family to join the Campaign
Other

If other, please explain:

If you would like free assistance from one of our counselors, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-333-4114, between 9 am and 5 pm Eastern Time.