— Long-time Medicare Rights volunteer“Volunteering on the helpline has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Every call is a chance to help someone navigate a confusing system — and the training prepared me for situations I never expected to handle. I always feel supported by the staff.”
Volunteer on the helpline.
Take calls from people navigating Medicare. Training in NYC, support throughout.
Looking for help with your own Medicare? Talk to our helpline →
- 32 active volunteers
- 7,904 volunteer hours
- $275,000 value contributed
What helpline volunteers do
Our helpline volunteers are trained in our New York City office, and most will continue volunteering from that office to assist people with Medicare through one-on-one telephone counseling. Some remote opportunities are available on a case-by-case basis, but some in-person training is required.
Volunteers answer callers’ questions and provide guidance on a wide range of Medicare issues. For example, volunteers assist with questions on how to select a supplemental plan and how to appeal a claim that has been denied. They also help ensure that our callers are aware of their rights and make referrals when necessary. Volunteers fluent in a foreign language may also provide counseling to non-English speakers.
No prior Medicare knowledge is required, but a desire to learn about Medicare is essential. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and always have access to staff support to perform their roles effectively.
Who's a good fit
- Interested in helping people access affordable health care and understand Medicare
- Able to commit to one shift per week for 6 months
- Comfortable with a computer — navigating windows, internet searches, and entering details into a database
- Ready to learn about Medicare
- Vaccinated against COVID-19 with documentation