Medicare Rights Center in the News

newsOur experts, services and resources are often featured in the news. Here are some recent examples that have appeared in prominent media outlets:

Medicare Penalizes People who Don’t Enroll when They Become Eligible

Washington Post, December 5, 2011, by Caroline E. Mayer

Throughout Robert Joseph’s career, the Alvin, Tex., electrician always understood his health insurance policies. “I’ve never had a problem,” Joseph says, “until I tried to sign up for Medicare.” Read the story.

Time Almost Up For Medicare Plan Enrollment

SmartMoney, December 5, 2011, by Catey Hill

Seniors used to have until the end of the year to make changes to their Medicare plans. But this year, the deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 7. Read the story.

That Other Shopping Spree: Medicare Deadline Looms

Kaiser Health News, November 23, 2011, by Christian Torres

Black Friday is nearly upon us, and along with holiday gift shopping, there’s plenty of Medicare shopping to do over Thanksgiving weekend. Read the story.

Medicare Genie is Now Out of the Bottle

POLITICO, November 22, 2011, by Matt Dobias

The supercommittee failed to strike a deficit deal, but the terrain still changed for entitlement reform. And once Democrats — starting with President Barack Obama — gave ground on Medicare and other entitlements, it may be hard to take it back. Read the story.

Health 411: Answers on Healthcare and Medicare Open Enrollment

Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2011, by Lisa Zamosky

If you get your health insurance through your job and haven't yet looked at your 2012 benefits package, wake up! You're about to miss your chance to pick insurance coverage for next year. Read the story.

10 Questions to Ask Before Enrolling in a Medicare Plan

SmartMoney, October 14, 2011, by Catey Hill

Medicare open enrollment begins tomorrow, and as many of us know, that means a dizzying array of choices for seniors, especially when it comes to selecting a good Medicare Advantage program. Read the story.

Clock Starts Ticking Saturday for Medicare Enrollment

Kaiser Health News, October 13, 2011, by Christian Torres

The holiday shopping season seems to start earlier every year. This year, Medicare’s open enrollment season also begins – and ends – earlier than ever. Read the story.

New Election Period Adds to Medicare Daze

Chicago Tribune, October 7, 2011, by Janet Kidd Stewart

Confused over Medicare? Take a number. Older Americans are making poor and expensive choices among their Medicare options, recent studies warn, and a new timetable this fall for making those choices could add to the problem. Read the story.

Deficit Reduction Should Not Hurt Medicare

Baltimore Sun, October 5, 2011, by Joe Baker

Contrary to Jay Hancock's recent assertions about shared sacrifice and the federal deficit ("Fixing America needs contributions from everybody," Oct. 2), we do not oppose changes to Medicare to make it solvent, for two reasons. Read the letter.

Medicare for Senior Citizens Can Be Daunting Task: Tips and Tricks on How to Use Health System Best

New York Daily News, October 3, 2011, by Phyllis Furman

The fall is the time to reflect on the new year ahead — and to make critical decisions that will affect your health and your pocketbook. Read the story.

Medicare Enrollment

Wall Street Journal, October 2, 2011, by Anna Wilde Mathews

If you're a Medicare beneficiary, it's already time to start shopping around. The federal program's annual open-enrollment period kicks off Oct. 15 -- earlier than last year -- and the new offerings of Part D prescription-drug coverage and private insurers' Medicare Advantage plans already are posted on Medicare.gov and other sites. Read the story.

Medicare Advantage Premiums Dip, Enrollment Rising

Associated Press, September 15, 2011, by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

Turning a usually routine announcement into a pointed rebuttal of its GOP critics, the Obama administration said Thursday that premiums for popular Medicare Advantage insurance plans will drop for 2012, while enrollment is expected to rise. Read the story.