Issue #46: February 2026

Share this newsletter with friends who have Medicare by sharing this link: www.acentraqio.com/ohf/February2026

If you’ve ever helped a family member with Medicare or tried to look something up for yourself, you know it can get confusing fast. Medicare.gov is one of the most reliable places to start when questions come up. Here are a few helpful things to know.

1 It’s Medicare’s official website.
Medicare.gov is the official Medicare government website. Since the information comes straight from Medicare, you won’t have to deal with pesky ads, sales companies, or private businesses.

Fun fact: When a website ends in .gov, it means the United States government runs the site.

2 You can start using Medicare.gov right away — no account needed.

You don’t need to create an account to use most of Medicare.gov. Without one, you can still look up what Medicare covers, read about your rights, find forms and notices, and compare health and drug plans.

3 Sign up for a free account to access even more information.

If you choose to create a free Medicare.gov account, you can:

• See your personal information
• Check your claims
• Print a copy of your Medicare card
• Update and print your drug list
• Read messages from Medicare
• Pay your premiums online

4 You can sign up for Medicare emails.

Are you interested in getting regular updates from Medicare? If so, at the bottom of the Medicare.gov homepage, you can sign up to get emails. These emails share reminders about important dates, updates about benefits, and helpful tips. You don’t need an account to get these emails.

5 You can contact Medicare for help.

If you need help beyond what you see on the website, you can contact Medicare by phone. While on Medicare.gov, you can use the online chat option to get answers to your questions.

6 You can read or order free Medicare booklets.

Medicare offers free booklets you can read online or have mailed to you. One of the most helpful is the Medicare & You handbook, which is updated every year and explains Medicare benefits, costs, and choices.

Medicare.gov doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Even using it once in a while can help you feel more confident about your Medicare coverage and know where to go when questions come up.

If you know anyone who helps manage Medicare for someone other than themselves, this is a good article to share or save for later.

Getting to Know Your Medicare Rights

Each month, we talk about one of your Medicare rights and what it means for you. Knowing your rights can help you feel more confident about your care.

Imagine you’re in the hospital and someone says, “You’re going home today.”

Many times, that is wonderful news! However, there may be situations where you feel hesitant to leave. Maybe you’re still weak, worried about pain, or confused about what happens next.

If this situation applies to you, or someone you’re helping, you have options.

Start by asking questions.

Oftentimes, concerns can be worked out by talking with the hospital care team. It’s okay and important to speak up if you don’t feel comfortable with the discharge or don’t understand the instructions. Family members and caregivers can also ask these questions and get things clarified during discharge planning. You can ask to talk with your nurse or doctor, a case manager, or a social worker.

You might ask:

• “Can you explain why I’m being discharged today?”
• “I don’t understand these instructions. Can you go over them with me?”
• “What help will I have at home?”

Sometimes, this conversation clears things up or leads to a better plan.

What if you still don’t feel ready?

If things still don’t feel right, you have the right to ask for an appeal.

An appeal simply means you’re asking for a pause and another look at the decision. You’re saying, “I’m not sure this is the right time, and I’d like someone outside the hospital to review it.”

You’re not filing a complaint, and you’re not starting a legal process. Also, you don’t have to decide everything at once, and you don’t need to know the right words to use.

How do you start an appeal?

Here’s how it works:

• Hospital discharge appeals are started by phone, not online.
• To ask for an appeal, call the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (also referred to as a BFCC-QIO).
• The phone number is listed on a notice called the Important Message from Medicare.

You usually receive this notice when you’re admitted to the hospital and again near the time of your discharge.

What if you don’t remember getting the notice?

That’s very common. Hospital stays can be overwhelming. If you don’t remember seeing it:

• Ask hospital staff for the notice again
• Ask questions about your discharge plan
• Call the BFCC-QIO if you’re unsure or worried

It is important to know that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you call.

Who reviews hospital discharge appeals?

Hospital discharge appeals are reviewed by the BFCC-QIO. Acentra Health serves as the BFCC-QIO for 29 states (visit www.acentraqio.com for a list of the states). If your hospital is in one of those states, Acentra Health will review your appeal.

Appeals are free, and asking for one does not affect your Medicare coverage in the future.

Why does this Medicare right matter?

Hospital stays are stressful enough, especially when decisions feel rushed. This appeal process exists to give you time, clarity, and support, whether you’re the patient or the person helping them. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to pause, ask questions, and ask for a review.

Consider saving this article or printing a copy to keep with your Medicare papers, like your Medicare & You booklet. You never know when it might come in handy.