Medicare Beneficiary Rights

IPRO helps Medicare beneficiaries and their representatives better understand their rights under the Medicare program. As a Medicare beneficiary, you have certain guaranteed rights. These rights protect you when you get health care; they ensure you access to needed health care services; and they protect you against unethical practices. You have these rights regardless of the Medicare plan you have.

You have the right to:

appeal denied services
get information
get emergency room services
see doctors; see specialists, including women's health specialists; and go to Medicare-certified hospitals
participate in treatment decisions
know your treatment choices
get information in a culturally competent manner in certain circumstances (for example, get information in languages other than English from Medicare, and its providers and contractors)
file complaints
nondiscrimination
have your personal and health information kept private

How IPRO Can Help

As part of our contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, IPRO helps Medicare beneficiaries and their families to get the most out of their Medicare benefits and to understand and partner in the care they receive. Beneficiaries who have a concern, or who are not satisfied with the care they receive, can file a complaint or inquiry with IPRO by calling 1-800-331-7767.

For more general information about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. This a toll-free helpline that can be reached seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day to address consumers' questions about Medicare benefits, program issues and various special programs and initiatives.