Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Deane Beebe
Communications Director
212-204-6219
Medicare Rights CenterAugust 18, 2005
Volunteers Needed for Medicare Rights Center's New York State Hotline New York, NY – Want to help people save money and get good health care - while learning in the process? The Medicare Rights Center needs you to volunteer!
MRC, a national, not-for-profit consumer advocacy organization, is recruiting volunteers to become telephone counselors for its New York State Hotline. The hotline receives thousands of calls each year from older and disabled New Yorkers who have questions and concerns about their Medicare rights, options and benefits. The dynamic team of hotline volunteers plays an important role providing individualized telephone counseling-often helping people get the health care they need.
Volunteers attend four introductory training sessions where they are given a thorough introduction to Medicare basics and taught to help people make informed choices about their health care options. Ongoing on-site training is also provided for all volunteers. MRC seeks volunteers from all age groups who have good communication skills, a desire to help others, and an interest in the issues facing older and disabled Americans. No prior experience or knowledge is needed, although basic computer skills are helpful.
"When I first volunteered at MRC, I knew immediately that this was the place for me," says Dot P., a 75-year-old retiree and hotline volunteer for the last four years. "The environment is stimulating and the people are great. I know that the work I do here is worthwhile and makes a difference in peoples' lives."
The hotline operates Monday through Friday at the Medicare Rights Center office in midtown Manhattan, from 9 AM to 3 PM and from 6 to 8 p.m. evenings. Volunteers must commit to working at least one four-hour shift per week, and make a one-year commitment. Interested persons should contact Betty Duggan at 212-869-3850, ext. 29 or by e-mail at bduggan@medicarerights.org