CMS provides Medicare information in American Sign Language

I am very pleased to report that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making attempts to better reach the Deaf community. Although CMS has always offered information and publications in Braille, large print, and several languages, last month they released a 27-minute introductory video on YouTube in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The video gives an overview of Medicare, (including covered preventive services), and discusses the differences between Medicare and Medicaid. Some of the topics include:

• What is Medicare
• Who can get Medicare
• How to enroll if you are eligible
• What are the parts of Medicare
• What will it cost
• What programs are available to help with the costs

Credit goes to Make Medicare Work

Before I give CMS too much credit for this, let me point out that the video was actually produced by a group of Chicago professionals who are Deaf or work with people who are Deaf. The group was spearheaded by Terri Gendel of the Make Medicare Work Coalition’s Deaf Advisory Group and a representative from the office of Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s (D-IL). In addition to this resource, the Deaf Advisory Group has also produced several American Sign Language video fact sheets about Medicare and Medicaid. The fact sheets are also available on DeafMD, a website offering health information from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health in American Sign Language.