Empowering Caregivers: The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act 

Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act, which aims to help family caregivers access information and advocate on behalf of their loved ones through the 1-800-MEDICARE customer service hotline. The introduction of this act highlights the growing recognition of the challenges faced by caregivers and the need to connect them to better support and available resources.

Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act

The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act would help draw awareness to the 1-800-MEDICARE helpline, which is already in existence to help Medicare beneficiaries. Many caregivers are not aware that they can utilize the hotline to help oversee their loved one’s healthcare if given permission. According to a press release from Senator Hassan’s office, the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act will:

• Help family caregivers use the 1-800-MEDICARE Hotline to better advocate and care for their loved ones;
• Increase outreach and education activities to protect beneficiaries and caregivers from fraudulent practices;
• Ensure accurate information sharing to make it easier for beneficiaries and caregivers to navigate the system and stay up-to-date on fraud prevention recommendations and existing fraud reporting mechanisms;
• And streamline training to ensure that 1-800-MEDICARE operators provide appropriate resources and information to family caregivers as required.

Removing red tape and increasing access to available resources are common themes in recently proposed legislation. Last year, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the Alleviating Barriers to Caregiving (ABC) Act  to help caregivers better navigate applications for assistance. The ABC Act calls for a change in processes, paperwork, forms, and eligibility criteria to make it easier for caregivers who apply for services from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Other recent legislation related to assisting family caregivers includes Oklahoma’s Caring for Caregivers Act, which provides tax credits to Oklahoma caregivers for out-of-pocket caregiving expenses, and the recently reintroduced Credit for Caring Act, a bipartisan bill that would provide caregivers nationwide with a $5,000 tax credit for incurred expenses.

But individuals and communities must also do their part to support and advocate for family caregivers. Here are a few ways you can help advocate for caregiver support in your community:

How to Get Involved

Educate Yourself

Take the time to learn about the challenges faced by caregivers in your community and the resources available to support them. Stay informed about developments in caregiver support policies and initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. Understanding the issues at hand is the first step towards advocating for meaningful change.

Raise Awareness

Use your voice and platforms to raise awareness about the importance of caregiver support. Share stories, statistics, and information about the challenges faced by caregivers and the need for greater support and recognition.

Reach Out to Elected Officials

Contact your Senators and Representatives to express your support for legislation that supports family caregivers. Urge them to prioritize caregiver support in their legislative agendas and advocate for policies that address the needs of caregivers.

Get Involved in Local Initiatives

Support local organizations and initiatives that provide support and resources to caregivers in your community. Volunteer your time, donate resources, or participate in advocacy efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of caregivers and their loved ones.