The Medicare Rights Center's Professional Hotline is now providing comprehensive guidance on a complete spectrum of Medicare benefits, rights and options to professionals who assist older adults and people with disabilities who have Medicare.

Launched in 2005 to support social workers and health care professionals in need of advice on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit available through private drug plans, the hotline service has just expanded to cover all consumer-related Medicare issues.

Hotline counselors now give free and expert information about a range of topics, including: how to appeal Medicare private health and drug plan denials; help for victims of Medicare private health plan marketing schemes; how the Medicare drug benefit works with Medicaid, state pharmaceutical assistance programs and other drug coverage; resources for low-income people with Medicare; and how Medicare covers care in the home, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, and durable medical equipment.

"Professionals can access accurate, unbiased information with just a phone call," said Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, a national consumer group. "The Medicare Rights Center staff helps professionals serve their clients more effectively by providing Medicare-related information in a consumer-friendly and timely manner."

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care.

Medicare Rights Center