It is sad that so many Americans are supportive of what the Insurers are demanding and they seem to ignore the growing evidence that Medicare (dis) Advantage works against the interests of consumers by emphasizing profits over quality of care. Even the side benefits of dental and eye care coverage are not comprehensive. I’m sick of the window dressing.
But you CAN'T get off them, unless you are in perfect health, which most people over 65 are not. That's because you will not be able to purchase a Medigap policy if you've been on Medicare Advantage for more than six months. Well, you can purchase one, but the cost will likely be prohibitive. And without a Medigap policy (i.e. a supplement), you will have to pay 20% of all your health care costs, which most people cannot do.
People should understand when they go on Non-Medicare Disadvantage that they will NEVER be able to change their minds and choose traditional Medicare. Sure, you're feeling all healthy when you're 65 and make this decision. Just wait a few years though, till you actually need some hardcore care and they DUMP your unprofitable a**.
I realize some people have been forced into these plans (and really, why would they need to be forced or tricked into these plans, if they represent such an "advantage?"), but many others have voluntarily chosen to cast their lot with the for-profit insurers for the low, low bribe of $175/month. The vast majority of these people can afford the premium--they'd just rather spent that money on restaurant meals, travel, and second homes. For $175/month they have sold themselves out completely.
More of the same bull manure from Medicare (dis)Advantage Insurers. This is out of control. There is no necessity to raise rates annually, when the fact is that MDA has significantly cut services for maintenance type surgery to keep individuals ambulatory, denying care, delaying care and over-charging the Medicare Trust Fun. It is high time that we go to the World Court to sue both Insurance companies and CMS for not following directives to bring these profiteering and greedy insurance companies to the exact same level as Traditional Medicare. If they are unwilling to do due diligence to meet CMS directives or to compromise without intimidating our Government officials, then they would serve the National Interest best by bowing out of supporting Medicare (dis)Advantage and transfer at NO ADDITIONAL customer cost all MDA policy holders over to Traditional Medicare. Enough of the strong arm tactics pretending to be competitive. It is clear to any normal American, that what these Private Insurance Companies say and threaten the US Government, have lost any sense of reality, and maybe these insurance firms should have their licenses terminated in perpetuity. Stop the propaganda. We need health care that is meaningful; not a load of malarkey that MDA has proven itself to be.
It's so engaging that political will to protect consumers just ends up making things worse for them in terms of premiums and lost coverage of benefits. Providers lose too on sub par reimbursement rates or getting their claims paid at all. What will it take to actually protect the American healthcare consumer? And when will we get there?
OK maybe I am naive. Well yes, I am absolutely naive but here are my 2 cents worth. After finishing Karen S. Lynch's book : "Taking Up Space", I came to the conclusion that she indeed has a very strong conscience and sense of responsibility, not totally to shareholders, but more importantly to the insured people under Aetna and the customers of CVS. Maybe it is from both nature (unique childhood)and nurture (Boston College)that this sense of duty and servant leadership has evolved. Because of it I have real hope that a CEO such as Karen S. Lynch will finally be a leader with a stronger sense of purpose than putting profits over patients and will help get the sick care system we currently have finally on track. We need leaders with power and influence on the inside to help make the changes necessary to correct the status quo and stop having the worst health outcomes of any industrialized country in the world. Karen S. Lynch certainly did not create this sick care system nightmare, she inherited it. If she weren't committed to trying to fix it she sure as hell would have walked away from it by now and enjoyed her success in peace and quiet. Maybe we should be grateful that there are such people and give them a chance. Everyone deserves a chance.
I've been preaching for years to my fellow seniors to get off Medicare Advantage plans ASAP. This is just more evidence supporting my views.
It is sad that so many Americans are supportive of what the Insurers are demanding and they seem to ignore the growing evidence that Medicare (dis) Advantage works against the interests of consumers by emphasizing profits over quality of care. Even the side benefits of dental and eye care coverage are not comprehensive. I’m sick of the window dressing.
But you CAN'T get off them, unless you are in perfect health, which most people over 65 are not. That's because you will not be able to purchase a Medigap policy if you've been on Medicare Advantage for more than six months. Well, you can purchase one, but the cost will likely be prohibitive. And without a Medigap policy (i.e. a supplement), you will have to pay 20% of all your health care costs, which most people cannot do.
People should understand when they go on Non-Medicare Disadvantage that they will NEVER be able to change their minds and choose traditional Medicare. Sure, you're feeling all healthy when you're 65 and make this decision. Just wait a few years though, till you actually need some hardcore care and they DUMP your unprofitable a**.
I realize some people have been forced into these plans (and really, why would they need to be forced or tricked into these plans, if they represent such an "advantage?"), but many others have voluntarily chosen to cast their lot with the for-profit insurers for the low, low bribe of $175/month. The vast majority of these people can afford the premium--they'd just rather spent that money on restaurant meals, travel, and second homes. For $175/month they have sold themselves out completely.
More of the same bull manure from Medicare (dis)Advantage Insurers. This is out of control. There is no necessity to raise rates annually, when the fact is that MDA has significantly cut services for maintenance type surgery to keep individuals ambulatory, denying care, delaying care and over-charging the Medicare Trust Fun. It is high time that we go to the World Court to sue both Insurance companies and CMS for not following directives to bring these profiteering and greedy insurance companies to the exact same level as Traditional Medicare. If they are unwilling to do due diligence to meet CMS directives or to compromise without intimidating our Government officials, then they would serve the National Interest best by bowing out of supporting Medicare (dis)Advantage and transfer at NO ADDITIONAL customer cost all MDA policy holders over to Traditional Medicare. Enough of the strong arm tactics pretending to be competitive. It is clear to any normal American, that what these Private Insurance Companies say and threaten the US Government, have lost any sense of reality, and maybe these insurance firms should have their licenses terminated in perpetuity. Stop the propaganda. We need health care that is meaningful; not a load of malarkey that MDA has proven itself to be.
How refreshing to hear someone share the truth!
I use to dislike lawyers as the number one enemy. Now, I have replaced the lawyers with the healthcare insurance companies.
It's so engaging that political will to protect consumers just ends up making things worse for them in terms of premiums and lost coverage of benefits. Providers lose too on sub par reimbursement rates or getting their claims paid at all. What will it take to actually protect the American healthcare consumer? And when will we get there?
OK maybe I am naive. Well yes, I am absolutely naive but here are my 2 cents worth. After finishing Karen S. Lynch's book : "Taking Up Space", I came to the conclusion that she indeed has a very strong conscience and sense of responsibility, not totally to shareholders, but more importantly to the insured people under Aetna and the customers of CVS. Maybe it is from both nature (unique childhood)and nurture (Boston College)that this sense of duty and servant leadership has evolved. Because of it I have real hope that a CEO such as Karen S. Lynch will finally be a leader with a stronger sense of purpose than putting profits over patients and will help get the sick care system we currently have finally on track. We need leaders with power and influence on the inside to help make the changes necessary to correct the status quo and stop having the worst health outcomes of any industrialized country in the world. Karen S. Lynch certainly did not create this sick care system nightmare, she inherited it. If she weren't committed to trying to fix it she sure as hell would have walked away from it by now and enjoyed her success in peace and quiet. Maybe we should be grateful that there are such people and give them a chance. Everyone deserves a chance.
Even CEOs.