UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurance conglomerate by far, continues to show how rewarding it is for shareholders when corporate lawyers find loopholes in well-intentioned legislation – and game the Medicare Advantage program in ways most lawmakers and regulators didn’t anticipate and certainly didn’t intend – to boost profits.
This is a huge issue where I live, in a rural area. Much of our population here is enrolled in medicaid through the NY state healthcare exchange. Many end up in United Healthcare Community Plan. There are few to no dental providers, including the specialists, who are in network. People are not told this prior to deciding which company to go with. Granted the other choice is not much better, but at least with Fidelis (and Dentaquest, their dental provider) some services are available within a two hour each direction driving radius. With UC there are no choices within at least a five hour driving radius that I know of. Yet the company still takes premiums from the individuals and I am sure they get money from the state for each enrollee they have regardless of whether any services are even possible for that consumer to get. And people think they can get care right up until they find they need the care. It is a total scam.
a sad (but anticipated) reality of for-profit insurance companies. As someone who has mutual funds as part of my retirement plan, I appreciate the efforts to build profits. As a doctor, it saddens me to realize that the increases in Medicare Advantages plans is reducing the funds needed to treat patients
Again, another unintended consequence of the ACA, which encouraged consolidation, not only by hospital systems but also health insurers. Control health services from end to end is profitable. This was all predicted back in 2009!
I just got put on Medicare. I’m 38 and have been on disability for two years. I don’t know what I’m doing. A broker signed me up for an advantage plan saying that I won’t have to pay the premium because I’m low income, but the Medicare savings program says it only covers deductibles and coinsurance for a and b. I can’t find a therapist that takes straight Medicare (my disability is mental illness). I can’t afford the premium for the advantage plan. I don’t know if having an advantage plan nulls or voids straight Medicare. I don’t know where to find the answers. I’m scared and confused. I need help and I don’t know where to find it
Until doctors take to the streets to demand single payer, nothing will change.
as a provider we had to abide by the Stark Law. Isn't there something comparable to this for private health insurers, or shouldn't there be?
right? I have wondered this for a long time.
This is a huge issue where I live, in a rural area. Much of our population here is enrolled in medicaid through the NY state healthcare exchange. Many end up in United Healthcare Community Plan. There are few to no dental providers, including the specialists, who are in network. People are not told this prior to deciding which company to go with. Granted the other choice is not much better, but at least with Fidelis (and Dentaquest, their dental provider) some services are available within a two hour each direction driving radius. With UC there are no choices within at least a five hour driving radius that I know of. Yet the company still takes premiums from the individuals and I am sure they get money from the state for each enrollee they have regardless of whether any services are even possible for that consumer to get. And people think they can get care right up until they find they need the care. It is a total scam.
a sad (but anticipated) reality of for-profit insurance companies. As someone who has mutual funds as part of my retirement plan, I appreciate the efforts to build profits. As a doctor, it saddens me to realize that the increases in Medicare Advantages plans is reducing the funds needed to treat patients
Again, another unintended consequence of the ACA, which encouraged consolidation, not only by hospital systems but also health insurers. Control health services from end to end is profitable. This was all predicted back in 2009!
not a surprising outcome from Romneycare
United”COST ” Group has infiltrated State Retirement Systems. Talk about cash cows.
Yep! Just keep making billions off of the heath care that isn't provided to Americans!
I missed the boat on not buying some United Healthcare stock. Darn!
I just got put on Medicare. I’m 38 and have been on disability for two years. I don’t know what I’m doing. A broker signed me up for an advantage plan saying that I won’t have to pay the premium because I’m low income, but the Medicare savings program says it only covers deductibles and coinsurance for a and b. I can’t find a therapist that takes straight Medicare (my disability is mental illness). I can’t afford the premium for the advantage plan. I don’t know if having an advantage plan nulls or voids straight Medicare. I don’t know where to find the answers. I’m scared and confused. I need help and I don’t know where to find it