Medicare ODF

Establishment of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman's Open Door Forum

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the establishment of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman's Open Door Forum (ODF). Daniel J. Schreiner, the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman, coordinates with CMS to oversee beneficiary concerns including appeals, complaints, grievances and requests for assistance.

The Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), Section 923, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MMAUpdate/downloads/PL108-173summary.pdf, mandated the creation of the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman position to ensure that people with Medicare get the information and help they need to understand their Medicare options and to apply their rights and protections.

The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman's ODF will provide an opportunity for beneficiaries, their caregivers and advocates to publicly interact with the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman to discuss issues and concerns regarding ways to improve the systems and processes within the Medicare program.

Each ODF will focus on one or two specific topics, at the Ombudsman's discretion, based on issues that advocacy groups and others bring to his attention. CMS subject matter experts will participate in the ODFs to give status and engage in discussion on key issues, as appropriate.

To subscribe to the new ODF's listserv, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/mailinglists/default.asp?audience=4 and follow the instructions. Listserv subscribers will receive notifications of the first and subsequent Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman's ODFs and other communications from the Ombudsman.

For more information on the Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman's role and responsibilities, read the press release, CMS Hires Medicare Ombudsman Dan Schreiner to be "Voice" for Medicare Beneficiaries (March 22, 2005), at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.asp?Counter=1393 .