Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act

AARP applauds the introduction of the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to promote the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline to make it easier for family caregivers to get the information they need.

The bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and in the House of Representatives by Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH-15) and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA-28).

Family caregivers are holding up a broken long-term care system, and they desperately need support. By increasing awareness of and filling out a CMS authorization form, people with Medicare can help their family caregivers get the information they need to help ensure their loved ones receive the care they need.

More than 48 million Americans are caregivers — doing everything from helping prepare meals and paying bills to assisting with medication, medical/nursing tasks, and general activities of daily living.

Specifically, the bill would help inform Medicare beneficiaries and individuals applying for benefits under Medicare Part A or enrolling under Medicare Part B about the option to fill out a form to give Medicare permission to share their personal health information with a family caregiver through 1-800-MEDICARE.