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I think it would be cheaper to make similar improvements in Medicare and eliminate the Advantage plans, but that is not likely to happen, at least for a good while.
I like your idea of making Advantage type improvements in Medicare. That really could cut the subsidies considerably. Instead of the $$ going to insurance companies, it would go into basic Medicare to improve benefit payments to seniors. I don't know why that isn't being considered. That's really a good idea.
The Republicans seem like they want to go to war (figuratively speaking) with AARP over this Healthcare debate. That's one of the worst ideas in a long line of bad Republican ideas.
When government money is spent on individuals it is socialism and leads to the destruction of the individual, the society and the Republic. When government money is spent on corporations it is a mere subsidy, and incentive or repaying a bribe but in any case is capitalism in action and guaranteed to save the Republic from the evil socialists.
The Republicans seem like they want to go to war (figuratively speaking) with AARP over this Healthcare debate. That's one of the worst ideas in a long line of bad Republican ideas.
This will not end well with them.
Oh now you tell us what we want. Let me tell you, most of us could go to war with AARP on more than just the Healthcare issues. If you have been reading this board you would know many either do not belong to AARP or no longer do and it didn't just happen. AARP is nothing but a bunch of lobbyiest and are around just to make a buck or two.
And they will make a ton of money when this bill takes away the Advantage Plan. So that is ok with them since they have got a deal for you---buy their more expensive insurance. They love the healthcare bill---means more money for them. Thank you Obama.
Thanks for the clip. I never saw it or didn't pick up on his comment on eliminating plans that don't work. I am on a Medicare Advantage plan, and it does provide some improved coverage over straight Medicare. Along with the fact that, in my state, the plan reduces my Medicare premium to $0, I like the fact that it is there, but is it fair, probably not. I think what Obama was saying, is there is plenty of opportunity to trim waste and ineffective programs. The Advantage plans are helpful to me and others, certainly profitable for ins. cos., but are they cost justifiable? Do they provide that much of an improvment over Medicare coverage? I don't think so, but I understand why Obama is backing away from eliminating them. Politically the Advantage plans were are huge, hard fought win, even within their own Party, back in 2003. The reason it was so hard fought, was that our Legislators knew full well who the big recipients were going to be. Seniors would get some help, but ins. cos. would get massive profits. Seniors are now so enamoured with the plans, it does help them some, politically it would be hard to eliminate them. I think it would be cheaper to make similar improvements in Medicare and eliminate the Advantage plans, but that is not likely to happen, at least for a good while. I agree that concentrating on cost of care should be a major part of reform, so does Obama.
I agree with much of what you say. The insurance cos really are the big winners with managed care. many of the healthiest seniors enroll into MA plans when they are healthy and disenroll when they get catastrophically ill. The insur cos. are making at least $1000 per mb per month, which adds up, espec if some of them don't even use services. that is why i support what Prestident Obama is saying.
I agree with much of what you say. The insurance cos really are the big winners with managed care. many of the healthiest seniors enroll into MA plans when they are healthy and disenroll when they get catastrophically ill. The insur cos. are making at least $1000 per mb per month, which adds up, espec if some of them don't even use services. that is why i support what Prestident Obama is saying.
This doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you meant. Why would people disenroll when they become catastrophically ill??
This doesn't make sense. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you meant. Why would people disenroll when they become catastrophically ill??
because they can go onto medicaid or medicare supplement or medicare hospice (terminally ill) when their medicare hmo refuses to pay for certain procedures or services. not everyone can qualfiy for medicaid or can afford a medicare supplement. but it does happen.
because they can go onto medicaid or medicare supplement or medicare hospice (terminally ill) when their medicare hmo refuses to pay for certain procedures or services. not everyone can qualfiy for medicaid or can afford a medicare supplement. but it does happen.
You are correct, one has to qualify for Medicaid - they can't just "go on Medicaid", and Medicare supplements are far more expensive than Advantage plans.
I don't believe a person can just "disenroll" and "enroll" whenever they feel like it. There are set enrollment periods (December), and changes in plans are limited to specific reasons - what is called "life changing events" such as moving out of the plan's area, losing coverage due to unemployment, or gaining new coverage as a result of employment, etc.
You can't just drop coverage when your plan denies benefits for something. I don't think it's that simple, though I can see how someone might want to drop Medicare because the coverage it provides is not all that good.
And they will make a ton of money when this bill takes away the Advantage Plan. So that is ok with them since they have got a deal for you---buy their more expensive insurance. They love the healthcare bill---means more money for them. Thank you Obama.
Too bad they don't actually sell insurance. They aren't a licensed broker. Hartford, Aetna and other major companies are the providers not AARP. Same providers you get with other senior groups and independent brokers.
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