On behalf of the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights), thank you for your agency’s efforts to respond to the COVID-19 emergency. As this work continues, we write today to respectfully request several improvements to the Medicare enrollment process that are urgently needed to better facilitate access to coverage and care during this challenging time.

The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit 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. Our organization provides services and resources to nearly three million people with Medicare, family caregivers, and health care professionals each year.

As you know, those we collectively serve are at high risk of infection, serious illness, and even death from COVID-19.1 We are concerned that if these individuals do not have health coverage, they may not be able to obtain medical treatment at a time when they need it most—worsening their own and public health outcomes. To ensure older adults and people with disabilities can access their Medicare coverage as simply and as quickly possible, we urge you to pursue the reforms outlined below.