If you have Medicare

 

 

You have the right to be:

• Treated with courtesy, dignity and respect at all times.

• Protected from discrimination. Every company or agency that works with Medicare must obey the law. They can't treat you differently because of your race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sex.

You have the right to have:

• Your personal and health information kept private.

• Access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals for 

  medically necessary

   services.

You have the right to get:

• Medicare-covered services in an emergency.

• Information in a way you understand from Medicare, health care providers, and, under certain circumstances, contractors.

• Information about your treatment choices in clear language that you can understand, and participate in treatment decisions.

• Medicare information and health care services in a language you understand.

• Your Medicare information in an accessible format, like braille or large print.

• Answers to your Medicare questions.

• A decision about health care payment, coverage of items and services, or drug coverage.

If you need plan information in a language other than English, or in an accessible format, contact your plan.

When you or your provider files a claim, you’ll get a notice letting you know what will and won’t be covered. This notice may come from:

• Medicare

• Your Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or other Medicare health plan

• Your Medicare drug plan 

If you disagree with the decision on your claim, you have the right to file an appeal. You may:

• Request a review (appeal) of certain decisions about health care payment, coverage of items and services, or drug coverage.

• File a complaint (sometimes called a "grievance") if you have concerns about the quality of care and other services you get from a Medicare provider.

• Work with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Networks and State Survey Agencies to help you with complaints (grievances) about your dialysis or kidney transplant care.