Improving the Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
May 9, 2024
While most older adults are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B because they are receiving Social Security benefits at age
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Medicare Part B Enrollment
Most people new to Medicare are automatically enrolled because they are receiving Social Security when they become eligible. But a growing number are not and must enroll on their own, taking into consideration specific timelines, intricate rules, and existing coverage. Mistakes are common and carry serious consequences, such as lifelong financial penalties, high out-of-pocket costs, disruptions in care, and gaps in coverage. Yet, few remedies are available to help beneficiaries correct honest missteps. The Medicare Rights Center supports reducing the likelihood of mistakes—including by simplifying the enrollment process and better empowering beneficiary decision-making—and improving relief opportunities for those who need them.
Fall Open Enrollment Ends Tonight
December 7, 2023
Today is the last day of Fall Open Enrollment, the time when people with Medicare can make unrestricted changes to
Medicare Rights’ Helpline Trends Report Shows Increasing Need for Help Affording Care
October 5, 2023
This week, we at Medicare Rights released our annual Medicare Trends Report, which features key challenges facing people with Medicare
2022 Medicare Trends and Recommendations
October 3, 2023
In 2022, Medicare Rights staff and volunteers addressed more than 27,000 questions through its national helpline and professional email channels. Additionally, Medicare Rights’ free and independent online reference tool, Medicare Interactive (MI), provided more than 2.6 million answers for beneficiaries, their caregivers, and professionals. This report features the top helpline trends and highlights the most commonly sought helpline and Medicare Interactive answers, providing a glimpse into the various questions and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and the professionals assisting them in the community in 2022.
Medicare Rights Applauds Introduction of BENES 2.0 Act
May 25, 2023
The Medicare Rights Center applauds the recent introduction of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) 2.0 Act (S.
Congress Must Streamline and Simplify Medicare Enrollment
May 25, 2023
While most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B because they are collecting Social Security benefits when they become
Bipartisan BENES 2.0 Act Introduced in the Senate
May 22, 2023
Washington, DC—The Medicare Rights Center applauds the recent introduction of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) 2.0 Act
President’s Budget Outlines Policy and Spending Priorities
March 9, 2023
Today, the White House released President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which begins on October 1. Though
Social Security Administration Learning Agenda Request for Information
March 2, 2023
Medicare enrollment can be a difficult and daunting task. Year after year, among our most frequent helpline calls are from or on behalf of people trying to navigate this confusing system. Missteps are common and have serious repercussions—yet few remedies exist. As part of its Learning Agenda, we encourage the Social Security Administration (SSA) to explore ways to prevent and cure Medicare enrollment errors, including by examining gaps in consumer education, enrollment outreach, and data collection.
Medicare Part B Enrollment: Pitfalls and Solutions
March 1, 2023
While most people newly eligible for Medicare are automatically enrolled in Part B—because they are collecting Social Security retirement benefits at or before age 65—a growing number are working later in life and deferring their Social Security benefits. Unlike those who are auto-enrolled, these individuals must make an active Medicare enrollment choice, taking into consideration specific timelines and existing coverage. If this transition is mismanaged, individuals new to Medicare may face lifetime late enrollment penalties, higher health care costs, gaps in coverage, and disruptions in care continuity.
Improving the Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
May 9, 2024
While most older adults are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B because they are receiving Social Security benefits at age
Fall Open Enrollment Ends Tonight
December 7, 2023
Today is the last day of Fall Open Enrollment, the time when people with Medicare can make unrestricted changes to
Medicare Rights’ Helpline Trends Report Shows Increasing Need for Help Affording Care
October 5, 2023
This week, we at Medicare Rights released our annual Medicare Trends Report, which features key challenges facing people with Medicare
2022 Medicare Trends and Recommendations
October 3, 2023
In 2022, Medicare Rights staff and volunteers addressed more than 27,000 questions through its national helpline and professional email channels. Additionally, Medicare Rights’ free and independent online reference tool, Medicare Interactive (MI), provided more than 2.6 million answers for beneficiaries, their caregivers, and professionals. This report features the top helpline trends and highlights the most commonly sought helpline and Medicare Interactive answers, providing a glimpse into the various questions and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and the professionals assisting them in the community in 2022.
Medicare Rights Applauds Introduction of BENES 2.0 Act
May 25, 2023
The Medicare Rights Center applauds the recent introduction of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) 2.0 Act (S.
Congress Must Streamline and Simplify Medicare Enrollment
May 25, 2023
While most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B because they are collecting Social Security benefits when they become
Bipartisan BENES 2.0 Act Introduced in the Senate
May 22, 2023
Washington, DC—The Medicare Rights Center applauds the recent introduction of the Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification (BENES) 2.0 Act
President’s Budget Outlines Policy and Spending Priorities
March 9, 2023
Today, the White House released President Biden’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which begins on October 1. Though
Social Security Administration Learning Agenda Request for Information
March 2, 2023
Medicare enrollment can be a difficult and daunting task. Year after year, among our most frequent helpline calls are from or on behalf of people trying to navigate this confusing system. Missteps are common and have serious repercussions—yet few remedies exist. As part of its Learning Agenda, we encourage the Social Security Administration (SSA) to explore ways to prevent and cure Medicare enrollment errors, including by examining gaps in consumer education, enrollment outreach, and data collection.
Medicare Part B Enrollment: Pitfalls and Solutions
March 1, 2023
While most people newly eligible for Medicare are automatically enrolled in Part B—because they are collecting Social Security retirement benefits at or before age 65—a growing number are working later in life and deferring their Social Security benefits. Unlike those who are auto-enrolled, these individuals must make an active Medicare enrollment choice, taking into consideration specific timelines and existing coverage. If this transition is mismanaged, individuals new to Medicare may face lifetime late enrollment penalties, higher health care costs, gaps in coverage, and disruptions in care continuity.