Programs
To help ensure that older adults and people with disabilities get the health care they need, MRC operates five programs:
Enrollment Services. MRC’s enrollment services help help people with limited incomes access benefits that can help pay their Medicare premiums, deductibles and copays. Linking Individuals in Need with Care and Services (LINCS,) helps New Yorkers with limited incomes access Extra Help. Extra Help is a federal program that helps people pay for most of the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Trained volunteers screen people for eligibility to Extra Help and help them fill out the application. The Medicare Savings Coalition brings together community-based organizations, advocacy groups, business interests, and government agencies on a monthly basis. The Coalition seeks to increase awareness of, access to, and enrollment in health care assistance programs for low-income older and/or disabled New Yorkers with Medicare. The New York City Deputization Project has trained and provides technical assistance to over 100 community advocates and social workers, enabling them to help NYC residents apply for and enroll in the Medicare Savings Programs without visiting a Medicaid office in person.
Direct Services. Through our telephone hotlines, MRC provides direct assistance to older adults and people with disabilities, their friends, family, caregivers and professionals who have Medicare questions or problems. Hotline counselors respond to questions from individuals about available Medicare health plan options, rights and benefits. When appropriate, MRC staff represent clients who cannot get needed care or appropriate coverage.
Education/Training. Through our educational publications and training programs, MRC provides people with current and comprehensive information about their Medicare options and rights. Our goal is to raise awareness of benefits and limits of Medicare health plan options, provide an understanding of how they work, and offer tips on how people with Medicare can make the most of their health care benefits. We aim to teach people 1) to take an active interest in their health care; 2) that the health care plan they pick affects the health care they can get; 3) that they have the right to switch doctors, switch Medicare plans and appeal denials of care; and 4) to call other state health insurance assistance programs for free help. Our MRC in Westchester program develops projects that bring MRC's counseling services and educational sessions directly to residents of Westchester County (NY).
Policy. Through our public policy work, MRC addresses Medicare consumer issues and concerns on statewide and national levels. We record demographic and case information from our counseling hotline and identify and track emerging, persisting and waning trends in the Medicare program. We monitor changes in legislation and Medicare coverage guidelines for people with Medicare. We also analyze and report major issues and trends affecting access to quality health care services for people on Medicare.
Communications. To ensure public awareness and understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by people with Medicare and related policy issues, MRC works closely with local and national media outlets.