How Medicare Advantage Is Costing Everyone More

[skews13]

Millions of seniors on original Medicare may be unknowingly subsidizing the extra perks of private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, and it's coming directly out of their Social Security checks. A stunning new report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC) finds that MA plans are costing taxpayers 20% more than traditional Medicare for the same patient, triggering a "premium pass-through" that inflates costs for everyone.

MSN

 

[Harry Dresden]

m impressed skewy...you did a thread without mentioning trump or MAGA...

 

[pknopp]

I've longed said that these programs shouldn't be permitted to be called Medicare anything. They are not.

 

[gipper]

I've longed said that these programs shouldn't be permitted to be called Medicare anything. They are not.

Yet another effort by the neoliberal oligarchy to privatize everything for their benefit and to the detriment of the American people.

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

Medicare should be free.
All healthcare should be free.
But insurance companies have a strong lobby to get their greedy hands on taxpayer $$$.

But what am I to do?
Medicare cost $200 a month and it only covers 80% of the bill.
With an advantage plan, it covers the 20%,medicare doesn't, plus it gives me back $170 a month.

 

[gipper]

Healthcare in this country is a scam in more ways than one. Not only is it outrageously expensive, it’s often ineffective and deadly. One of the leading causes of death are doctor and hospital staff mistakes. So if you’re lucky enough to have a good doctor in a good hospital, you might receive quality care, but it’s a crapshoot.

 

[debbiedowner]

Medicare should be free.
All healthcare should be free.
But insurance companies have a strong lobby to get their greedy hands on taxpayer $$$.

But what am I to do?
Medicare cost $200 a month and it only covers 80% of the bill.
With an advantage plan, it covers the 20%,medicare doesn't, plus it gives me back $170 a month.

If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan Medicare isn't paying for your health care, the insurance company and your co pays are. There are a few rare exceptions where you plan reverts to Part B but those are few and far between.

Medicare Advantage is not a gap plan. If this is your first year on one it's understandable your statement or the insurance agent you purchased from did not do a very good job with an explanation.

 

[martybegan]

Medicare should be free.
All healthcare should be free.
But insurance companies have a strong lobby to get their greedy hands on taxpayer $$$.

But what am I to do?
Medicare cost $200 a month and it only covers 80% of the bill.
With an advantage plan, it covers the 20%,medicare doesn't, plus it gives me back $170 a month.

So we don't pay the doctors?

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

If you're on a Medicare Advantage plan Medicare isn't paying for your health care, the insurance company and your co pays are. There are a few rare exceptions where you plan reverts to Part B but those are few and far between.

Medicare Advantage is not a gap plan.

They didn't tell me it was.
But it's almost one, Medicare covers only so much.
The advantage plan covers only so much.
Some instances I have to pay 100%

If this is your first year on one it's understandable your statement or the insurance agent you purchased from did not do a very good job with an explanation.

Oh' Shit.
What changes happen in my 2nd year?

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

So we don't pay the doctors?

I'm sure doctors don't want their pay cut.
Every slice the middlemen get, lowers their pay too.