Republicans' healthcare proposal if Trump wins? More private Medicare

[Lonestarblue]

Source: The Guardian

“Medicare Advantage plans can be enticing because they often include food or transportation cards, $0 monthly premiums and hearing, vision and dental benefits – none of which are included in traditional Medicare.

Kinsell notes that the problems usually start when people get sick.

“Patients have been unable to get into rehab, or stay,” she said. Others were charged $50 a day for rehab when the service is normally free for a short period in traditional Medicare.

“We’ve spent a lot of time in our district office with seniors who got hoodwinked by these corporate insurance plans,” said Democratic US representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington state. Jayapal has called for “urgent reforms” and consumer protections to be added to Medicare Advantage.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/26/trump-republican-healthcare-plan-medicare

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Good article on how Medicare Advantage takes advantage of seniors. Republicans pushed Advantage plans as a way to save money, but they actually cost more. Such plans are estimated to cost the government $83 billion more just this year than traditional Medicare. As usual, insurers have learned to game the system to inflate their charges and earn more profit while denying or reducing care.

[mopinko]

1. i went to an oak st health clinic, which is medicare only.

i actually unwittingly got an advantage plan. united healthcare.
oak st is all about using every bennie in the pot. the waiting room reminds me of a timeshare show room.
now the system i’ve been using for decades as it gobbled up half the hospitals in the chgo metro area is starting their own advantage plan. there’s free money layin around in these plans.

the thing is- if they werent upcoding and scamming, it wd b a good thing. i had a prelim visit, and i need a new pcp. i like the idea of a doc who doesnt think i’m supposed to feel like shit cuz i’m 70. a lot of the stuff i just dont need. i can afford food, and i can get a ride to the doc.
but i do need to get more fit, healthier. it will b nice to have a doc that thinks that’s a thing at my age.

[travelingthrulife]

2. Their only plan is privatization of everything

More expensive, much more complicated so they can rip us off with ease. Medicare is a nightmare because of private insurers. Kick them out of it.

[Farmer-Rick]

3. Saw my Mom on a Medicare Advantage plan

She had great benefits......for the first few months. Then it was even worse than what Medicare could provide.

[Silent Type]

4. Unfortunately, improvements to health "insurance" since 1990s -- ACA, drug plans, Part C, etc. -- have used private

health plans. Even if we manage to win House, Senate, Prez, in 2024, we likely won't get anything enacted that doesn't include private plans. We might not like it, but the writing is on the wall until we get large majorities in Congress.

I know many people don't see Part C -- now called Medicare Advantage -- as an "improvement." But it is an improvement to people who can't afford $250 to $400 a month in premiums to stay in original Medicare, while giving up a $1000 to $2000 in annual dental care.

Maybe someday we will get a truly fair/affordable system, but we aren't close for forseeable future, IMO.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

10. We have original Medicare and a plan N supplement. And my supplement premium is only $98 and my husbands is $120

He’s had 2 heart valve replacements. We don’t get the “freebies”; but I can go to a specialist without a referral from my PCP, I don’t have to choose doctors on a certain network, and if Medicare approves what my doctor orders no insurance company can deny or delay that procedure and they have to pay if Medicare has approved it. Best insurance I’ve ever had.

[Silent Type]

11. Open network is the "advantage" to original Medicare, but by time you add in Part D and

a supplement one is easily over $250/month and it goes up every year with age and inflation.

I’m on original Medicare too, but I’m still working in my 70s. When I stop working, will likely be forced into MA. It’s the reality and it’s not going to change anytime soon.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

12. I didn't even mention part D because it cost 50 cents for each of us.

Last year it was aroun $11/mo each. Don’t know why they reduced it. Occasionally we have to pay a small amount to fill prescriptions, other times they cost us nothing..

[Sucha NastyWoman]

13. Maybe you've got the wrong agent. I'd be glad to put you in touch with mine.

[lostnfound]

19. Even after large majorities, the 'value' in stock market for such companies may preclude dramatic change

Even our democrats aren’t (in the majority) going to want to carve out a large chunk of valuation from the stock market. Medicare for all was a better plan all along, but it’s a tough sell in a country run by Wall Street. And ordinary people have their retirement funds or pension funds there too.

I’m not arguing against it; i just wonder if it will ever be possible.

[Silent Type]

21. I wonder that too. My guess is we might get to the point where we will subsidize premiums for everyone based

on their income. That's essentially what the ACA is. You are guaranteed coverage IF you can afford premiums and subsidies will help those at lower income levels.

It really is disappointing that something could not have been worked out by now. In addition to those who profit from the healthcare "system," there are lots of voters who don't trust the government for anything.

At least a Public Option would let people try it out. If it's as good as we think, people would gravitate to it. But I don't see anyone discussing that anymore.

[XanaDUer2]

5. First thing

Take the name Medicare off these policies

[vapor2]

8. Good point indeed

Read where agents get approximately $700 for each person they sign up for Advantage programs. My concierge dr will not accept advantage and hear it is difficult to change once you leave Medicare. Advantage United Health would not pay anything for my mom's dental crown and root canal. ADVANTAGE IS FOR PROFIT!!! Send a msg to Whitehouse.org

[FemDemERA]

6. I think the end goal is that When enough people

Have switched from regular Medicare to the advantage programs, regular Medicare will be eliminated And all we will have is private insurance. At that point, the prices will go up, coverage will lessen and the extra Bennies will go away.

[Lonestarblue]

7. Exactly.

[Skittles]

16. THAT IS THE PLAN

it is SO OBVIOUS

[cstanleytech]

9. Simply fix the Social Seurity and Medicare programs and stop playing games and fully fund them.

Then increase the Social Security payments to make it at least above the poverty level for everyone and provide the other things with Medicare.

[Skittles]

15. the money spent on the 'Advantage' con SHOULD be used to improved traditional Medicare

but the entire point is to eventually turn it ALL over to private insurance

[cstanleytech]

17. I just said that it should be used for traditional Medicare 😊

They should also do away with State control of Medicaid as the States in general simply aren't doing a good job with that

[Skittles]

14. the entire point of "Advantage" is to eventually get rid of Medicare

and they are well on their way

[dalton99a]

18. +1. And the "Advantage" becomes a huge and possibly fatal disadvantage when you need serious medical care

beyond routine outpatient visits

[Hotler]

20. They will end S.S. and Medicare and steal every penny in those accounts. And they won't stop there. nt