A bipartisan, bicameral bill recently proposed by U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) would improve coordination between caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries in an effort to ease caregivers’ access to pertinent health information.
The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act, H.R. 6735/S. 3439, would provide for outreach and education to Medicare beneficiaries to simplify access to information for family caregivers through 1-800-MEDICARE.
“We can help family caregivers, who already bear other personal, professional, and medical responsibilities and worries, by easing the conveyance of assistance and resources to them through 1-800-Medicare,” Rep. Carey said. “I am committed to finding ways to help millions of caregivers coordinate the delivery of benefits and medical care to their loved ones.”
Rep. Carey on Dec. 16 sponsored H.R. 6735 with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), while Sen. Tillis on Dec. 11 sponsored S. 3439 alongside five original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
“Caregivers carry a tremendous burden while caring for loved ones, and I know first-hand that caregivers too often face unnecessary barriers when trying to coordinate care,” Sen. Tillis said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Sen. Hassan to enable caregivers to better advocate for their loved ones and make it easier for caregivers to communicate with Medicare on their behalf.”
Specifically, the bill would call for Medicare to publicize resources for family caregivers, and provide the voluntary option allowing Medicare beneficiaries to allow family caregivers access to their health information through 1-800-Medicare.
Additionally, the bill would require Medicare to train 1-800-Medicare operators on how to properly provide family caregivers with all the appropriate information, and that the information be provided in non-English languages, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
“Family caregivers shoulder enormous responsibility while helping loved ones navigate Medicare, yet too often they face confusing systems, long wait times, and language barriers when trying to get basic information,” said Rep. Chu. “By improving coordination and communication, this bill helps reduce unnecessary stress for caregivers and supports better care for seniors.”
AARP has endorsed the measure.