Medicare and You

I am enrolling in (or already enrolled in) Medicare. What should I know to protect my rights?

What are my rights under Medicare?

My provider billed me for services that Medicare does not cover, but never warned me I might have to pay. Is this legal?

Is Medicare allowed to give copies of my medical records or disclose information about my health to someone else?

When can other people get copies of my medical records or information about my health from Medicare?

Do I have a right to review, get copies of, or have changes made to my medical records held by Medicare?

Medicare has violated my privacy rights, improperly disclosed information about my health, or refused to correct or let me access my medical records. Who can I complain to?

Comprehensive booklet on Medicare. Topics covered include: overview of the Medicare program and health plans, the Original Medicare Plan, Medicare + Choice Plans, Medicare rights, other insurance and ways to pay health care costs. Information regarding the rights of Medicare beneficiaries includes: the right to appeal decisions regarding coverage, payment, or services; the privacy and disclosure of health care information by Medicare; the right of Medicare beneficiaries to access health care information; the right to be free from discrimination by companies or providers dealing with Medicare; and preventing and reporting Medicare fraud. Also includes contact information for agencies that can answer questions about Medicare.