No matter what type of Medicare coverage you have, you have certain guaranteed rights. 

As a Medicare recipient, you have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
• Be protected from discrimination.
• Have access to doctors, specialists and hospitals.
• Have your questions about Medicare answered.
• Learn about all of your treatment choices and participate in treatment decisions.
• Get information in a way you understand from Medicare, healthcare providers, and under certain circumstances, contractors.
• Get emergency care when and where you need it.
• Get a decision about a healthcare payment or service, or about prescription drug coverage.
• Get a review of certain decisions about a healthcare payment, coverage of services, or prescription drug coverage.
• File a complaint (also known as grievance), including a complaint about the quality of your care.
• Have your personal and health information kept private.
• Appeal a hospital discharge if you feel you are too sick to leave; even if you are in a Medicare Advantage plan. (Ask for an updated Important Message from Medicare that explains how to appeal your discharge. Do not leave the hospital.)

Additional Resources

For more information on your Medicare Rights, click here to visit the Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) Web site. HSAG is the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for California.

Click here for Medicare & You, a summary of Medicare benefits, coverage options, rights and protections, and answers to most frequently asked questions.