The Center for Medicare Advocacy works to advance access to Medicare and necessary home and community-based care, through education and advocacy. As part of this work, with support from the Jeffrey P. Ossen Foundation, the Center hosted a virtual town hall with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy on February 24, 2021. In addition to presenting an overview of current issues, Sen. Murphy, took time to answer questions on topics ranging from Medicare Advantage networks and overpayments to gaps in Medicare coverage; he also touched on Social Security, the Affordable Care Act, and the Postal Service. The Center for Medicare advocacy is grateful for Senator Murphy’s participation, dedication to Medicare and health care, and remarkable work in the United States Senate.
In addition, attendees were reminded of several important health care opportunities for March:
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment through March 31 – Beneficiaries enrolled in an MA plan can:
- Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Traditional (Original) Medicare
- Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Income Eligibility Rates Update March 1
- MSPs help Medicare lower-income beneficiaries pay all or some of Medicare costs (premiums, deductibles, and/or co-payments).
- Contact your local SHIP program for more information
- Affordable Care Act Special Enrollment Period
- If currently uninsured and not Medicare eligible
- Nationally, expanded enrollment period is nationally through May 15, 2021 (Check your state for possible variations in dates – for example, in Connecticut, the enrollment period is extended through March 15, with possible extension.)