What are the basic rights and responsibilities of people with Medicare?

 | No matter what type of Medicare coverage you have, you have certain rights and responsibilities.

You have a right to:

• Be treated fairly and not experience discrimination
• Have access to doctors and hospitals
• Get emergency and urgently needed care when you need it
• Know what Medicare will and will not cover
• Appeal certain decisions about your coverage or payment
• File complaints about your care
• Have your personal information kept private

You are responsible for:

• Knowing when you must sign up or change plans
• Reading all letters from Medicare
• Asking questions, if you don't understand
• Protecting your Medicare card and number
• Asking your doctors and other health care providers if they take Medicare before you accept services
• Calling Medicare if you feel a doctor, insurance agent or plan has misled you