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That has actually been changing somewhat. My Mom and her husband live in a very well-known retirement community along the southern east coast. More and more of their, their friends', and their neighbors' doctors are going into concierge practices and are charging an expensive yearly flat fee if you want to continue to have access to their services. Oh, sure, they bill Medicare when services are rendered. But you can't even get an appointment unless you pay the annual flat fee and you're on their concierge list. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/concierge-care.html
I know what Concierge practices are but haven't had the need for it.
My wife and I have been on Medicare for 5 years and have had absolutely no problems with it.
However, there is a kind of mini-version of it that is gaining popularity in certain parts of the country. In those areas almost all doctors are dropping the old Medicare and switching to area specific Medicare Advantage plans (run by private health insurance companies but regulated by Medicare) so they don't have to deal with excessive gov't regs plus the Advantage plans pay more. The hospitals like it too, they also get paid more. So if you want Medicare, you sign up for the private Advantage plan.
I know what Concierge practices are but haven't had the need for it.
My wife and I have been on Medicare for 5 years and have had absolutely no problems with it.
However, there is a kind of mini-version of it that is gaining popularity in certain parts of the country. In those areas almost all doctors are dropping the old Medicare and switching to area specific Medicare Advantage plans (run by private health insurance companies but regulated by Medicare) so they don't have to deal with excessive gov't regs plus the Advantage plans pay more. The hospitals like it too, they also get paid more. So if you want Medicare, you sign up for the private Advantage plan.
That doesn't matter where my Mom and her husband are. Medicare patients (no matter the plan) aren't given appointments unless they pay a flat annual concierge fee (which is not reimbursed by Medicare) and are on the concierge list.
When one has to pay a several thousand dollar (not reimbursed by Medicare) annual fee just to access the services of a doctor who accepts and bills Medicare, what would you call it?
The doctors' reason for the annual concierge fee for access? High local number of Medicare patients (it's a retirement area) and Medicare's payment schedules that are far too low. Now, imagine putting everyone on Medicare...
Medicare rates are quite good these days. I see what my doctors are paid thru Medicare, I get a copy of every bill, the doctors are doing ok. Medicaid is an entirely different story though, its rates are too low.
It's about time the United States joins the modern world.
Healthcare and education for all!
We'll be the most educated serfs ever! Why not? I noticed Bernie has moderated his earlier view that the government should seize the oil companies and utilities. Now he just wants to shut them down. Can't get the money he needs for his programs that way though, but I guess he figures climate change taxes will be a better route to redistribution of wealth.
That doesn't matter where my Mom and her husband are. Medicare patients (no matter the plan) aren't given appointments unless they pay a flat annual concierge fee (which is not reimbursed by Medicare) and are on the concierge list.
"Bernie’s plan would create a federally administered single-payer health care program. Universal single-payer health care means comprehensive coverage for all Americans. Bernie’s plan will cover the entire continuum of health care, from inpatient to outpatient care; preventive to emergency care; primary care to specialty care, including long-term and palliative care; vision, hearing and oral health care; mental health and substance abuse services; as well as prescription medications, medical equipment, supplies, diagnostics and treatments."
I don't think we can afford it, but do believe quality healthcare should be affordable and available to all Americans. Current system of price gouging consumers is kaput. It has been for nearly half a century.
As long as we have for profit insurance companies running our health care system we will have to pay for the health care cost and those insurances profits as part of our insurance premiums. We continue to pay more for health care than anywhere else in the world and not with great outcomes and its costs continues to increase faster than anywhere else before and after Obamacare because insurance companies are still involve. Even in our economic downturn the health care insurance was turning a profit
It's about time the United States joins the modern world.
Healthcare and education for all!
Socialism will be stamped out like any other disease. The few here that tout it's wonderful benefits should prepare for a reckoning.
The real American majority is growing impatient with your lazy, entitled attitude.
Perhaps, if Mr Sanders is insane or delusional.
HOW CAN WE PAY FOR "FREE" HEALTHCARE?
(Not everyone has a job, nor a "good job"!)
18+ Trillion Dollar Public Debt
Pursuant to the Coinage Act of 1792, et seq, that debt computes to over 900 billion ounces of gold, stamped into coin.
❏ Problem #1 : Fort Knox depository (allegedly) holds 147.4 million ounces of gold.
❏ Problem #2 : World wide supply (est) is 5.6 billion ounces of gold.
❏ Problem #3 : At current mining rates, it would take over 8000 years to mine enough bullion IF the debt and interest were frozen right now.
❏ Problem #4 : The validity of this insane public debt cannot be questioned, pursuant to clause 4, 14th amendment, USCON.
Remember, the dollar bill (Federal Reserve Note) is a debt, and has minus value. It cannot pay off the national debt - being part of it. (See: Title 12 USC Sec. 411)
So "where" does all that money come from?
To authorize spending more, Congress has to go deeper into (impossible) debt, borrowing FRNs (dollar bills) to pay for it.
WHO IS OBLIGATED TO PAY OFF THIS DEBT?
Our children?
Our grandchildren?
You know nothing is free. Americans pay more now than all single payer systems in the first world economies. Just in meds alone Americans shelled out nearly $400 billion last year, not to mention their premium payments, co-pays, deductibles, taxes on medicare, medicaid, VA, and all the middleman that can be squeezed between a doctor and his/her patient. My concern is that the fed may goof something like this up. I would think there should be 50 state single payer systems perhaps.
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