Sacramento, CA — California Health Advocates has two new Medicare podcasts available in English and Spanish, covering the topics of low-income assistance programs for Medicare beneficiaries and Medicare appeals. Both podcasts on low-income assistance programs and Medicare appeals and their English and Spanish transcripts are available at cahealthadvocates.org/podcast/.
All Medicare beneficiaries have the right to appeal a decision that denied them coverage or payment. “We want to inform Medicare beneficiaries about their rights and educate them about the appeals process,” asserted Tatiana Fassieux, Board Chair of California Health Advocates and HICAP Manager at Chico.
“We also want to inform people about low-income assistance that help pay for Medicare costs,” Ms. Fassieux added, “because many beneficiaries may qualify but are unaware that these programs exist.” The programs, such as Medi-Cal, the Medicare Savings Programs, and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy help cover people’s Medicare premiums, deductibles and copayment, therefore ensure people can afford and access their health care.
“Podcasts are a simple and effective way to get this important information out,” claimed Wayne Soucy, CHA’s CEO/President. Podcasts make the information available especially to people with visual impairments, and those with low literacy levels. Beneficiaries, their families, caregivers and friends can listen together in English and/or Spanish and view the transcripts in both languages as well.
California Health Advocates, an independent, non-profit organization, provides quality Medicare and related health care coverage information, education and policy advocacy. CHA equips community organizations and government agencies with up-to-date information. CHA specifically supports the work of local Health Insurance and Counseling Programs (HICAP), which provide benefits counseling and community education directly to those with Medicare and their families. For more information, visit CHA’s website at cahealthadvocates.org.
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Contact:
Elaine Wong Eakin, Project Manager
510-574-1995
David Lipschutz, Staff Attorney
