I'm so glad Ezra finally has his appointment, even if it means a long drive!
Medicare Advantage plans are a scam to benefit the insurance companies. They consistently jerk people around. Regular Medicare plus a Supplement Plan is the way to go, because they don't suddenly decide that you can no longer see a particular provider.
Here's Thom Hartmann today about Medicare Advantage plans. My son's dad here in Portland is going through this BS as his United Health Care Advantage plan has dropped his doctors:
"The for-profit Medicare Advantage giants are doing exactly what for-profit companies do, and a million or so seniors are about to find out what “advantage” actually means. Republicans have hated government run programs like Social Security and Medicare — and consistently worked to gut or harm them — since their introduction in 1935 and 1965 respectively. This is why the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress pushed through the creation of the Medicare Advantage scam in 2003, which is neither Medicare nor an advantage. It’s simply a corporate alternative to real Medicare that actually costs us taxpayers more but generates hundreds of billions in profits every year for the companies that run it, who then share some of that profit with GOP (and some Democratic) politicians. And, because it’s all about making profits rather than delivering healthcare, while real Medicare will never require you to get pre-authorization before any sort of medical procedure, Advantage plans almost always do. That’s their profit: denying you care. But apparently that’s not enough for some of these behemoths; now they’re dumping customers who’ve gotten older and sicker and thus more expensive. Humana is shutting down plans covering roughly 600,000 members for 2027, its second year in a row of what it cheerfully calls “targeted plan exits,” while a Leerink analyst note reported by Axios says UnitedHealthcare appears to have dropped about 13 percent of its plans across 18 states. The “giveaways” they offer to get you to sign onto inferior insurance, like major dental benefits, free groceries, and over-the-counter drugs are being slashed, while copays when you visit an (expensive) specialist are exploding. Humana’s CFO told Wall Street the company will “recapture a significant portion of that volume,” corporate double-speak for “we’ll re-sell the same seniors a worse product.” Their goal, laid out during an earnings call with shareholders and executives, is a “sustainable” pre-tax profit margin. Not better care: better profit margins. When Bush pitched this “Advantage” scam as “choice” in 2003, apparently what he meant was the insurance company gets to “choose” whether or not to pay for your care. Every other industrialized nation in the world figured this out decades ago; we’re still letting Big Insurance’s shareholders decide how much they’re going to pay for your doctor or hospital visit."--Thom Hartmann
WONDERFUL that you've finally got a date for that MRI!
I've been thinking how ironic it is that over here in Germany, one can simply call and make an appointment for an X-Ray, MRI, CT scan, and get in within a few days. The cost, including the doctor's assessment immediately afterwards, is about 1/10th of the U.S.'s. Yes, taxes are "sky-high" here, per my daughter Yvonne. But she says, "Mom, I don't have to worry about friends dying because of a lack of medical care, or friends being evicted because they've lost a job or fallen ill." It's a trade-off.
I have an old friend(well, frankly we're both old) who has done/does natural rehab. First at her home in Portland and now in new home in Vancouver - a move you likely understand more than I. I'd be happy to explore connecting if you're interested.
Again - loving your candid blend of national & international news, and family life. You write succinctly and passionately, about what you care about - Love you for it ❤️
I feel Medicare Advantage is a total rip off! People who sign up are handing a for profit corporation their health policy and letting the corporation have veto power over whether you need care or not. That's not in the best interest of the patient. That's the corporation doing what best for it's bottom line first, and whatever care might be needed is at the bottom of the priority list.
IMHO, Medicare Advantage should be outlawed. Standard Medicare for everyone. No healthcare dollars getting siphoned off by a greedy for profit corporation.
If your littles need to burn off a little excess energy after a long day traveling to P-town, I have a modest but double-sized lot in SE Pdx (48th and Morrison Sts.) where you're welcome to drop by & turn them loose with minimal supervision to have a bit of fun tiring themselves out. It's the house with a greenhouse in the side yard near a scrappy veggie garden. I'm completely serious! Let me know, or surprise us.
I'm so glad Ezra finally has his appointment, even if it means a long drive!
Medicare Advantage plans are a scam to benefit the insurance companies. They consistently jerk people around. Regular Medicare plus a Supplement Plan is the way to go, because they don't suddenly decide that you can no longer see a particular provider.
Yes, yes, yes. I tell everyone I can reach.
Here's Thom Hartmann today about Medicare Advantage plans. My son's dad here in Portland is going through this BS as his United Health Care Advantage plan has dropped his doctors:
"The for-profit Medicare Advantage giants are doing exactly what for-profit companies do, and a million or so seniors are about to find out what “advantage” actually means. Republicans have hated government run programs like Social Security and Medicare — and consistently worked to gut or harm them — since their introduction in 1935 and 1965 respectively. This is why the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress pushed through the creation of the Medicare Advantage scam in 2003, which is neither Medicare nor an advantage. It’s simply a corporate alternative to real Medicare that actually costs us taxpayers more but generates hundreds of billions in profits every year for the companies that run it, who then share some of that profit with GOP (and some Democratic) politicians. And, because it’s all about making profits rather than delivering healthcare, while real Medicare will never require you to get pre-authorization before any sort of medical procedure, Advantage plans almost always do. That’s their profit: denying you care. But apparently that’s not enough for some of these behemoths; now they’re dumping customers who’ve gotten older and sicker and thus more expensive. Humana is shutting down plans covering roughly 600,000 members for 2027, its second year in a row of what it cheerfully calls “targeted plan exits,” while a Leerink analyst note reported by Axios says UnitedHealthcare appears to have dropped about 13 percent of its plans across 18 states. The “giveaways” they offer to get you to sign onto inferior insurance, like major dental benefits, free groceries, and over-the-counter drugs are being slashed, while copays when you visit an (expensive) specialist are exploding. Humana’s CFO told Wall Street the company will “recapture a significant portion of that volume,” corporate double-speak for “we’ll re-sell the same seniors a worse product.” Their goal, laid out during an earnings call with shareholders and executives, is a “sustainable” pre-tax profit margin. Not better care: better profit margins. When Bush pitched this “Advantage” scam as “choice” in 2003, apparently what he meant was the insurance company gets to “choose” whether or not to pay for your care. Every other industrialized nation in the world figured this out decades ago; we’re still letting Big Insurance’s shareholders decide how much they’re going to pay for your doctor or hospital visit."--Thom Hartmann
100% true!!
I’m finding that out the hard way. Can’t wait to be able to drop my Advantage Plan this year. It will be an upgrade for sure.
Great news about Ezra's appointment, after so many delays and setbacks.
WONDERFUL that you've finally got a date for that MRI!
I've been thinking how ironic it is that over here in Germany, one can simply call and make an appointment for an X-Ray, MRI, CT scan, and get in within a few days. The cost, including the doctor's assessment immediately afterwards, is about 1/10th of the U.S.'s. Yes, taxes are "sky-high" here, per my daughter Yvonne. But she says, "Mom, I don't have to worry about friends dying because of a lack of medical care, or friends being evicted because they've lost a job or fallen ill." It's a trade-off.
I have an old friend(well, frankly we're both old) who has done/does natural rehab. First at her home in Portland and now in new home in Vancouver - a move you likely understand more than I. I'd be happy to explore connecting if you're interested.
If you have Monarch Butterflies in your area, plant milkweed. The butterflies love it.
Happy birthday to Ezra🥳🎂🎈
Again - loving your candid blend of national & international news, and family life. You write succinctly and passionately, about what you care about - Love you for it ❤️
I feel Medicare Advantage is a total rip off! People who sign up are handing a for profit corporation their health policy and letting the corporation have veto power over whether you need care or not. That's not in the best interest of the patient. That's the corporation doing what best for it's bottom line first, and whatever care might be needed is at the bottom of the priority list.
IMHO, Medicare Advantage should be outlawed. Standard Medicare for everyone. No healthcare dollars getting siphoned off by a greedy for profit corporation.
If your littles need to burn off a little excess energy after a long day traveling to P-town, I have a modest but double-sized lot in SE Pdx (48th and Morrison Sts.) where you're welcome to drop by & turn them loose with minimal supervision to have a bit of fun tiring themselves out. It's the house with a greenhouse in the side yard near a scrappy veggie garden. I'm completely serious! Let me know, or surprise us.