Since 1989, we’ve been helping people with Medicare understand their rights and benefits, navigate the Medicare system, and secure the quality health care they deserve. https://linktr.ee/medicarerightshttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mww7bwjxvk2iH.R. 1 in '25 put in motion cuts to Medicaid totaling ~$1 trillion over 10 years. Some have already gone into effect (as of Oct. 1, Medicaid eligibility ended for most lawfully present immigrants), and others will take effect in coming years. Medicaid cuts harm health care infrastructure in the US. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/10/01/whats-at-stake-in-2026-medicaid-cuts02 Oct 2026 20:23 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mww7bwjxvk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mwvskrckck2iSince health plans, costs, and individual circumstances can change from year to year, the Medicare Rights Center urges people with Medicare to evaluate their options each fall. This is also a good time to check on eligibility for Medicare cost assistance programs. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/10/01/new-insights-on-2027-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-offerings02 Oct 2026 16:36 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwvskrckck2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mwelkqahj22mTo manage unaffordable medical bills, nearly 10% of older adults cut back on household spending. Previous research underscores that intense financial pressures can force beneficiaries to choose between basic needs, like paying for groceries or prescriptions. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/24/medicare-beneficiaries-with-multiple-and-complex-health-needs-face-challenges25 Sep 2026 20:15 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwelkqahj22mhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mwc6wckh622mIn Jan. '26, CMS launched a 6-year model creating an AI-forward prior auth system for a limited number of Original Medicare services in 6 states. According to new records—and previous reporting—this model has led to inappropriate delays, denials of care, provider burdens, and harm for those with OM. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/24/new-records-show-medicare-wiser-ai-prior-authorization-model-causing-inappropriate-denials-of-care24 Sep 2026 21:24 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mwc6wckh622mhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mvsz7aeeks23Federal law requires states to recover payment for certain Medicaid services after a beneficiary dies. This means the government can seize a beneficiary’s assets upon their death. These recoveries harm families, contribute to inequities, and provide little financial gain for state Medicaid programs. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/17/model-policies-tackle-medicaid-estate-recovery18 Sep 2026 20:31 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvsz7aeeks23https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mvsorrqkp223H.R. 1 terminates Medicare coverage for many individuals with lawful immigration status who have worked and paid taxes in the US for decades. This is a significant departure from longstanding policy which recognized eligibility for everyone who had paid sufficient Social Security and Medicare taxes. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/17/thousands-of-immigrants-scheduled-to-lose-medicare-coverage-in-the-new-year18 Sep 2026 17:25 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvsorrqkp223https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mvnvyzfue22oWe are excited to share that we will be recognizing Eric Sollod as this year's featured volunteer at our Annual Benefit in October. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Eric has been counseling on our helpline for 17 years, bringing expertise and dedication to every call.16 Sep 2026 19:51 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvnvyzfue22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mvbi32w2gk2vH.R. 1’s cuts to public funding for SNAP are pushing millions of people out of the program and causing older adults to face increasing challenges affording food. Researchers have noted the link between food insecurity and general health, dementia, heart disease, and other conditions. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/10/high-prices-cuts-in-programs-keep-food-insecurity-rates-high-for-older-adults11 Sep 2026 21:10 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvbi32w2gk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mvaxdgli6s2vIn low-income 50+ households, basic needs account for over 80% of all spending. Critical programs—Medicaid and SNAP—can help. But they are facing significant headwinds due to changes in H.R. 1 that threaten to strip health coverage from millions, worsen poverty, and deepen food insecurity. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/09/10/financial-pressures-erode-affordability-for-low-income-older-adults11 Sep 2026 16:10 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvaxdgli6s2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mu5vpcm4e22cThe Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included several key changes to Medicare prescription drug coverage that advanced consumer protections. The law’s provisions now help Medicare beneficiaries save money by limiting cost sharing and bringing prices down.28 Aug 2026 17:38 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5vpcm4e22chttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mu5juqy7ps2iA recent analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warns of $1 trillion in MA overpayments and $150 billion in higher Part B premiums for all Medicare beneficiaries over the next decade. To lower costs and center beneficiary needs, policymakers must improve MA payment accuracy. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/27/evidence-of-ma-overpayment-continues-to-mount28 Aug 2026 14:06 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5juqy7ps2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mtmaj2y7ss27Last week's Consumer Price Index release showed a 3.1% decrease in prices from a year ago, the steepest year-over-year drop since 1963. Medicare's drug price negotiation is likely among the factors that resulted in this decrease. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/20/some-good-news-on-drug-pricing-more-to-be-done21 Aug 2026 17:03 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmaj2y7ss27https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mtlw2kizy227As of April 1, MA and other private plans must publicly report and display specific data around prior authorization rates. CMS has now released welcome new guidance to improve how and where this information must be reported. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/20/more-clarity-on-the-horizon-for-medicare-advantage-prior-authorization-burden-will-remain21 Aug 2026 13:56 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlw2kizy227https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mt2gqaqmts26Premium support, a system where beneficiaries must purchase health insurance with a limited allowance from the government, would be a complete restructuring of Medicare and signal the end of the program as we know it. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/13/whats-at-stake-in-2026-medicare-premium-support14 Aug 2026 15:07 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt2gqaqmts26https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3msyjhptuuc2eIn 2023, New York expanded MSP income eligibility, opening the door for nearly 300,000 more New Yorkers to get help affording Medicare. That win followed years of advocacy by a coalition that included the Medicare Rights Center. A new independent research brief looks at the impact. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/13/research-suggests-new-yorks-efforts-to-expand-medicare-cost-assistance-eligibility-are-working13 Aug 2026 20:50 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3msyjhptuuc2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3msj4n37ioc2iFor medical frailty to count, it must impair “an individual’s ability to engage in community engagement activities.” This creates an arbitrary process for determining frailty that runs counter to congressional intent, as it would keep medically frail people from the statutorily required exemption. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/06/medicaid-work-and-reporting-requirements-rule-deeply-flawed07 Aug 2026 17:51 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3msj4n37ioc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3msir6altu22iMedicare enrollment will rise from 63 million to 91 million people by 2060, raising program spending. At Medicare Rights, we urge policymakers to enact commonsense efforts to lower enrollee out-of-pocket costs, fill gaps in coverage, and ease access to low-income assistance programs. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/08/06/medicare-spending-trends-and-opportunities07 Aug 2026 14:25 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3msir6altu22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrxhk2bdos2nSince becoming law, Medicare and Medicaid have expanded to meet the health care needs of the population, reflect medical advancements, and further accessibility. Despite important progress, recent policy changes have limited the ability of the programs and the ACA to meet needs across the US. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/31/medicare-at-61-a-history-of-expanding-care31 Jul 2026 17:18 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrxhk2bdos2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrvdjxh3zk22The Trump administration is ending a program a year early that helped to keep premiums for standalone Part D plans in check as Inflation Reduction Act Part D changes took effect. Medicare Rights is concerned this decision will unnecessarily erode beneficiary choice, health, and financial security. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/30/administration-to-pull-back-on-premium-help-for-part-d-beneficiaries30 Jul 2026 21:01 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrvdjxh3zk22https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrsobj67g22yIn an accompaniment to the "What's at Stake" series, a video from Medicare Rights introduces policy ideas related to changing Medicaid and the ACA that are under consideration or underway. It breaks down the ideas and how they threaten public health care. youtu.be/2DATx1Yw_Lk https://youtu.be/2DATx1Yw_Lk29 Jul 2026 19:35 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrsobj67g22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrpysq3d4k2gWe’re honored to have Tricia Neuman as the keynote speaker at our 2026 Annual Benefit. Formerly Senior Vice President at KFF and Executive Director of its Program on Medicare Policy, Dr. Neuman is widely known as one of the nation's foremost experts on Medicare & health policy.28 Jul 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrpysq3d4k2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrnqmdry4s25Intended to reduce federal spending on Medicaid, HR 1’s changes will result in sweeping cuts to the program, strain state budgets, and endanger older adults and people with disabilities. The ideas behind HR 1’s Medicaid cuts are not new.27 Jul 2026 20:34 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnqmdry4s25https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrfwn6nyn225Many Medicare Advantage (MA) plans will get a funding bump after the CMS recalculated payments under the MA Quality Bonus Program (QBP). CMS made changes if new calculations led to a higher score. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/23/medicare-advantage-organizations-reap-ever-larger-bonuses24 Jul 2026 18:00 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfwn6nyn225https://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mrdsbykmhs2sA recent brief examines how 2025's H.R. 1 and the expiration of the enhanced ACA tax credits will affect states today and once the legislation is fully implemented. The authors predict that state GDPs will drop by $197 billion—nearly 25% more than the federal government will save. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/23/h-r-1-funding-cuts-jeopardize-state-economies23 Jul 2026 21:37 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrdsbykmhs2shttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mr6f2vbtjc2sAlongside @familiesusa.bsky.social, Medicare Rights is demanding #LowerHealthCareCostsNow. During Health Care Affordability Week of Action—& all other 51 weeks in a year—Medicare Rights fights to end MA overpayment, lower prescription costs, & make high-quality health care affordable.21 Jul 2026 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr6f2vbtjc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mqub2g67vs2lA bill introduced last month would create, for the first time, an out-of-pocket cap in Original Medicare. The bill would also strengthen and enhance programs that help lower-income Medicare beneficiaries afford their Medicare premiums. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/16/senate-finance-committee-members-introduce-bill-to-reduce-medicare-out-of-pocket-costs-improve-access-to-medicare-savings-programs17 Jul 2026 17:19 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqub2g67vs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mqtxbvti5s2lWISeR was launched to test the expanded use of prior authorization and AI in Original Medicare. Yesterday, the Senate voted on a measure to block the WISeR model, which failed to pass. The vote highlights mounting concerns with the model and opportunities for advocates to encourage intervention. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/16/medicare-rights-urges-congress-to-protect-beneficiary-access-to-care17 Jul 2026 14:24 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqtxbvti5s2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mqovudqbbk2rThe government shared data showing enrollment in Affordable Care Act plans after the enhanced premium subsidies were allowed to expire. The comparison of effectuated enrollment in Feb. 2026 to Feb. 2026 shows 2.6 million fewer Americans covered by an ACA plan. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/09/first-look-at-aca-enrollment-numbers-after-subsidy-expirations-shows-significant-coverage-losses15 Jul 2026 14:15 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqovudqbbk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mqmpm5qaus2lMedicare Rights submitted comments to help guide implementation of the Requiring Enhanced and Accurate Lists of Health Providers Act (REAL Health Providers Act). This law, which goes into effect in 2028, requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to maintain complete and accurate provider directories. https://www.medicarerights.org/medicare-watch/2026/07/09/accuracy-accountability-and-accessibility-vital-for-good-ma-provider-directories14 Jul 2026 17:18 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqmpm5qaus2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/medicarerights.bsky.social/post/3mqcfmigix227Ensuring access to care does not start and stop with expanding eligibility or lowering costs. Administrative barriers make accessing care more difficult—sometimes prohibitively so, leading to people giving up in the process—and often are the result of intentional policy choices.10 Jul 2026 14:52 +0000at://did:plc:wwdmcpv7jtkoboffrnkc6gpw/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqcfmigix227