If you are a Caregiver or next-of-kin, it is important to file proper forms with government agencies in advance of health emergencies.
For Medicare, you need legal authorization anytime you’re acting on behalf of a beneficiary. You can’t enroll another person in Medicare, a Prescription Drug Plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan–even your spouse–unless you have power of attorney, health-care proxy or other authorization to make such decisions for the beneficiary.
Medicare also has privacy protections that limit access of medical information to people other than the beneficiary. Medicare’s Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information form can be found on Medicare.gov, under the “Claims and Appeals” section of the main page. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS10106.pdf
Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance or prescription plan cards to find out what release of information forms they require in order to talk to caregivers.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Medicaid) has its own form, the Michigan DCH 1183. Get it at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71551_2945_24020-65875–,00.html Caregivers need to have this on file in advance of making any enrollment decisions for a Medicaid beneficiary. MMAP recommends you give a fresh copy of DCH 1183 every time you send in Medicaid Redetermination forms, so DHHS will have it on file!
The following links to an article with resources for SSA releases, Medicare releases, and the VA-approved Fiduciary programs. https://www.agingcare.com/articles/make-sure-you-are-an-authorized-representative-for-your-loved-one-202376.htm
Michigan’s State Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) is the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP). MMAP assists Medicare Beneficiaries and Medicare beneficiaries who also have Medicaid with health insurance related concerns. Call MMAP at 800-803-7174. For advance planning documents or legal assistance, please contact an attorney.