The GAO Finds Fault With Medicare Advantage

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It took six months to get off Medicare Advantage. I had to involve my congressman. I am a veteran, so I don't need it, and I have two forms of free medications. Why is is so hard to save the government's money? HMOs make between $5 and 7 trillion dollars/yr.

Janet Saugstad of MN 12:06PM September 17, 2009

I need not say any more than that. I think choices will be taken away from all of you soon.
I am 61 years old and pay 400 a month for health care and I have the typical co-pays. I chose it...I did my research and made a conscious decision to take the plan.
I have choices and more studying to do...but advantage sounds like what I have but much cheaper. I can at that golden age jump to medicare and it will be saving me hundreds of dollars.
The plans are in black and white and I am sure I can read and understand the differences.
The only people who are getting screwed are those who have poor reading and understanding skills of these plans. If that is you, hire someone to help your poor self.

Detter of WA 2:03PM August 11, 2009

Medicare advantages are a disadvantage and costing americans a lot of money each year they can not afford! If someone took medicare A and B at 65 years old and bought and F supplement from Banker's Life at the age of 65, they wouldn't be paying $300 per month! I am now 92 and I have had Banker's since I was 65. I have had several heart operations, both hips replaced, and a knee replacement. With a Medicare advantage plan I would have paid out of pocket close to $50,000 or more over these years but instead I am still paying the same price a 65 year old getting on the policy today pays. I am pay $181.54 per month. It would take me 25 years of my premium to equal the amount I would have paid for having an advantage plan over the course of 10 years. 25 years!!!! Please tell me what the value in Medicare Advantage is again?
And by the way Tom in PA I was very healthy when I signed up for my supplement! I had no idea I would need this many surgeries by 92. Thank god one of Banker's agents talked me about the risks of a medicare advantage plan.
I have my life that is the most important thing. I really dont think I would still be here if I was on an advantage plan.
You are putting your life in danger with an advantage plan!!!!

Emmie Jones of FL 4:23PM June 19, 2009

I had a family member pass awway a few years ago. Six months later we found out that she may have had an option at a special clinic in Houston Texas that has a great success rate for recovery. We were told it was not an option because the clinic was not in her provider area. My family sure would have loved to have the chance to know if they could have helped her. Had she been on traditional medicare with a supplement she would have had 100 percent coverage. Advantage plans save money and cost lives.

john of FL 9:29PM March 10, 2009

obviously, you are both small time insurance agents...i own a general agency in philadelphia and we provide supplements and advantage plans to seniors. depending upon the case, a supplement will be better in certain cases and advantage plans will be better in others. to generalize plans is irresponsible and misleading. there are some outstanding MA programs out there that offer all of the additional perks that supps dont offer as well as have a plan out of pocket limit at $4,0000. that is very affordable considering alot of the supp plans can be over 200/month for seniors over 70 years old, compared to 39/month for the plan i described above. the bottom line is, they need to put more restrictions on the shitty agents like you too with your limited knowledge and perspective on MA plans. furthermore, have of the senior market can not afford nor qualify for supplements because of their health. speak the truth and dont favor the program that you are selling. the way they can fix this problem is putting out of pocket maximums on plans to assure stability in annual costs. MA's are an outstanding product in densely populated urban areas like philadelphia. granted, your hick town in south carolina does not have enough people to create networks for hmos and thus they are confused...the same way most people in south carolina would be confused if you asked them what is 2+2. you have no idea about the insurance business...just your small world you live in.

tom johnson of PA 9:10PM March 05, 2009

What planet have you been camped out on since January 1, 2006??? You obviously don't know what the hell you're talking about to say Medicare Advantage plans are better than traditional Medicare Insurance coupled with a Medicare Supplement Plan F. Advantage plans are an insult to seniors intelligence. What the gov't has done is create a way to help "bail out" the bankrupt Medicaid program with these Advantage, PFFS, and HMO plans. It's disgraceful and has drawn the ire of many regulators, health professionals and providers. Oh, and by the way, I'd like to see you get off with just a "co-pay" for any hospitalization with your Advantage plan. After trying an Advantage plan in order to save some money, I am happy I came to my senses and went back to Medicare and a supplement policy which allows me the peace of mind of knowing I can see any hospital or doctor, anywhere, anytime and just show my Medicare and supplement insurance card and to date I haven't paid out anything other than my reasonable premium. This allows me to know my medical costs, no matter how high, is my supplement premium only. BTW, I have been on Medicare for 6 years now and you couldn't pay me to swap to a Medicare Advantage plan. I would refer to them as Medicare DisAdvantage plans. Wake up and smell the coffee before you get yourself behing a financial "8-Ball".

Peter Henderson of SC 4:27PM January 08, 2009

MEDICARE IS AN 80/20 PLAN. HAVE A HEART ATTACK WITH MEDICARE AND YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 20. THE AVERAGE HEART ATTACK COSTS 70K. 14K IS WHAT PATIENTS WITH MEDICARE A/B WILL OWE. WITH THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THE PATIENT ONLY PAYS A CO-PAY.

SPICER SCAGGLIONE of CO 1:02AM October 02, 2008

I am an insurance agent in South Carolina who markets Medicare Supplemental insurance. I am out in the field at least three days a week and have seen the total confusion Medicare Advantage plans cause.With a medicare supplemental plan there is litttle to no misunderstanding. My clients can go to any Dr., Hospital and 99% of the time they have no out of pocket expense. Of course there is a premium to pay, some companies charge more than others and it is my job to make sure my clients get the most for the least.With the automatic claim filing all claims get paid and my clients do not receive bills from providers that they have never heard of.Before Medicare made standard the 10 supplemental plans available to Medicare Beneficaries in 1992. There was total confusion just like now with the Medicare Advantage plans. Why our lawmakers seem to want to make this confusion available again is beyond my understanding. It seems as though Medicare really does not want these Advantage plans sold with all the restrictions they have placed on agents that choose to sell this garbage.The over payments used to pay these few greedy insurance companies that market medicare advantage should be used to help fill the donut hole in part D. This would really help Seniors keep the money in their pocket rather than make the insurance companies richer.I for one would like to see these Advantage plans go away. I can sleep at night knowing that my clients have real insurance. Can you?

Allen Harkins of SC 8:34AM September 18, 2008

I go regularly(once a month) for a check on my pacemaker. The doctors charge is $123.00 and Aetna approves $39.08 and pays the provider $19.08 and I pay a copay of $20.00.
Under regular Medicare they would pay the doctor 80% or $31.26. I or a supplemental plan would pay the remainder $7.82.
What a racket. They(insurance company) take the 80% $31.26 for a profit of $12.88. That is a 37% profit on each of my tips to the doctor.
Medicare Advantage means an advantage for the insurance company.

Darwin L. Miller of AR 4:44PM August 12, 2008

It seems that it is very easy for some folks to criticize Medicare Advantage Plans without knowing the facts.
Fact- Medicare Advantage Plans may cost Medicare a little more than "traditional Medicare", but they also provide additional benefits. Some additional benefits such as transportation to and from the doctor, eyeglasses coverage with $100 being paid each year towards eyewear, and a local gym membership to encourage the members to stay active. These additional benefits, coupled with significant savings on prescription drugs, make Medicare Advantage Plans attractive to seniors, especially those who are on a fixed income. Also, who wants to depend on the U.S.Government for their healthcare?? That's what those who have "traditional Medicare" are doing--and that's not the intention of the "tradional Medicare".
Also, does anyone wonder why AARP and other Senior Service Companies are so adamant against these Medicare Advantage Plans?? Maybe it's because they market Medicare Supplement Policies, which charge seniors monthly premiums STARTING at $100 per month!!
People who have worked all their lives and have an opportunity to receive better that average health care without paying a monthly premium should have that right, and not depend on "traditional Medicare", or a Medicare Supplement that will raise its premium each year or each other year, and provide no better benefit.
Enough said.

Denis Porter of AL 1:33AM August 07, 2008