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When I contacted the C.M.A. in 2004, they were not interested in hearing about the wrongdoing that I had encountered from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They certainly did not offer any assistance to me. In fact, I was told by C.M.A. founder and Director, Judy Stein, that they were only granted to assist residents of Connecticut.
C.MA. claims that they help thousands of people every year in obtaining their Medicare rights.
Each year, the Center represents thousands of individuals in appeals of Medicare denials. The work of the Center includes responding to approximately 7000 telephone and email inquiries each year. We also write extensively about Medicare and related topics, produce a wide array of electronic and hard copy educational materials, advocate in administrative, judicial, and legislative forums, and pursue Medicare coverage for individuals and for dually eligible beneficiaries (individuals who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid). In addition, the organization provides legal training and support nationwide as well as for Connecticut's state health insurance and assistance program (SHIP program), known in Connecticut as CHOICES.
Center for Medicare Advocacy web site.
On January 10, 2005, I asked a C.M.A. attorney, Vicky Gottlich, if she had any media contacts that Ishe thought might be interested in my information. Gottlich told me that they did not have any media contacts. The next day I found online, a commentary in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that she had co-written. The item was titled Medicare agency must be fair, accurate with citizens.
Shortly after that, I discovered that C.M.A. had hired a P.R. firm. C.M.A. is marketed as an organization that helps the general public, when they actually focus on posting redundant information that is available elsewhere on the Internet.
C.M.A.'s major bragging point is a case known as Grijalva Vs. Shalala. In our case, the C.M.S. did not enforce this ruling. However, Stein and Gottlich showed no concern.
