As a Medicare recipient, you have numerous rights, and we’re here to help you navigate those if ever needed. You are empowered!
- You have the right to access to care, including access to covered doctors, specialists and necessary emergency services.
- You have the right to be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect at all times. Federal law strictly prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex.
- Your personal, financial, and medical information is protected by law.
It’s important for you to treat your Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid numbers just like you would treat credit card number, providing them only when necessary for counseling that you trust, or to your doctors and health care facilities. Never let anyone else use your numbers for their healthcare treatment. Also, know that the Social Security office and Medicare will never call you to ask for that information, EXCEPT if you’ve called their office, requesting a call back. Anyone else may be a scammer.
Be aware! The only Medicare health insurance companies that are allowed to contact you are those with whom you already have a policy. All others are banned by the Federal Trade Commission from contacting you unless you’ve asked for information via a phone call, by clicking on an internet ad, or emailing them first. They’re also not allowed to visit you without you agreeing to an appointment. If you’re getting nuisance calls, collect the company name, phone number and the name of the agent, then report them to 1-800-Medicare.
SHIP, formerly known as MMAP, has offices in every Michigan county. Call today! Statewide number: 800-803-7174. SHIP is a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service provided to you via local, state, and federal grants.