Medicare Advantage is a Scam!
Do not sign-up for Medicare Advantage! We don’t care what Joe Namath tells you. That’s the message of healthcare expert, Kip Sullivan, who returns to remind us why Medicare Advantage is simply a further for-profit corporate takeover of Medicare. Plus, we rifle through the mailbag where Ralph answers your questions and comments on your feedback about past programs.
Kip Sullivan is a Health Care Advisor with Health Care for All Minnesota, and has written several hundred articles on health policy. He is an active member of Physicians for a National Health Program, which advocates for universal, comprehensive single-payer national health insurance.
With the original Medicare you know what you’re buying. The two parts of this scam that we’re talking about is United Healthcare puts out this brochure making it sound like because they’re so efficient that they can offer these extra services. It’s not true. They’re overpaid. We’re wasting money on them. And the other piece of the scam is when you get sick you may very well not get the coverage that is described in the policy.
Kip Sullivan
You can’t overstate the enthusiasm with which the Biden administration is promoting the takeover of Medicare by both Medicare Advantage plans and this new breed of parasite called the Accountable Care Organization, or ACO.
Kip Sullivan
There are multiple reasons to oppose the takeover of Medicare by these corporations. But the Democrats ought to be thinking about their own political future and looking ahead to this so-called crisis in 2028.
Kip Sullivan
We’re underinvesting in the consequences of global warming— the climate disruption, droughts, gigantic wildfires, floods, surges from the sea, hurricanes. But we’re overinvesting in blowing up countries overseas that do not threaten us… This is a sign of the collective insanity of the corporate state.
Ralph Nader
This article by Diane Archer would be very useful for any listeners just turning 65 and trying to figure out whether to enroll in MA or stay in traditional Medicare:
Four things to think about when choosing a plan to fill gaps in Medicare, a “Medigap” or Medicare supplemental insurance plan
Medicare Advantage is a Scam!
It is so frustrating not to be able to get to the root of what is being presented, namely WHY is it a "disadvantage" for us over-65s to get medicare advantage instead of medigap. I am currently not paying anything at all for my Tufts advantage program. I understand that it is less flexible in selecting doctors than a medigap program would be, but it's FREE (after I pay my $170/mo). Why is that not a better deal than medigap, which is not free? I really want to know! Thanks, C. Field (Massachusetts)
I wish you had covered the following things, even for 2 minutes in your talk.
A comparison:
What’s it cost just for Medicare alone? I pay $170/month out of my social security.
What are the benefits and limitations of Medicare alone?
How much extra do you pay for Medicare advantage?
Is it the same for everyone?
How much is it for Medicare with Medigap?
what’s I wish you had covered even for 2 minutes in your talk.
I hate health insurance companies – we really need a single-payer system. But at the same time, I think you and Ralph need to disclose the difference with and without Advantage, what it costs, and more about Medigap policies.
Just as Ms. Heiter mentioned here in the comments, just changing over without knowing the risk, could be financially devastating if someone blows off the “advantage program” without thoroughly checking on exactly what is covered, and what isn’t. Should they need ER, or a hospital stay, it could easily wipe them out financially. With Blue Shield a couple years ago, for a 2 1/2 hospital stay I paid maybe $150. If I had Medicare only, I'm assuming that would have paid 80% and the balance would have been close to $5,000. I don't know what it would have been with Medigap, or even if that's different from what I have already.
Please set me straight if I’m wrong or misunderstood something, but that’s my concern.
Also, FYI, when I wrote Ralph about this before and asked about those kinds of details, he didn’t seem to know.
It's important to disclose these things I believe.
John Glascock