Is AARP as corrupt as ACORN? The more we hear from health care the more confusing it becomes.
Replies (35)
I think it is an outrage. Those senior citizens who rely on Humana through Medicare Advantage need to be warned that this legislature will cut Medicare Advantage. My in-laws rely on it and when I told them about this legislature they were worried because it will make it imposiible to make ends meet. They could easily get to the point where they would need to decide "do I get my medication or do I buy groceries this week?" No one in their 80's should have to make that decision.
This is another example of the lies being told. They say "if you like your healthcare provider you will be able to keep it" then they write legislature to cut Medicare Advantage which will force 20 million senior citizens to loose Humana coverage which they like and be forced onto regular Medicare which they don't like.
-- Posted by Skeptic1 on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 6:45 PM
In my above comment I am talking about the gag order that was placed on Humana to prevent them from sending letters out to their insured warning them about Obamacare.
-- Posted by Skeptic1 on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 6:56 PM
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 8:49 PM
Medicare Part B is available to everyone and will continue to be. Medicare Part C (or Medicare Advantage) was originally offered as a less expensive option by obtaining insurance through providers such as Humana to anyone that elected it. These providers continued to raise their premiums that were paid by Medicare so that now it is more costly to the taxpayer for people to be on Medicare Advantage. Seniors will receive the same coverage through Part B as they received through Part C. There will not be a "medications or groceries" decision having to be made. This is simply another "scare tactic" being raised by insurance companies to protect their profits.
There will be changes to Medicare in the future because of continually rising costs. So keep in mind that reductions in payments to insurance companies for Medicare Advantage will happen, regardless of what health care bill is approved. Obviously you can keep the provider you have now, but it might be more expensive. No one ever guaranteed that their provider would be prevented from continuing to raise premiums.
And no one is objecting to insurance companies communicating with their customers. They just can't mislead people by claiming that changes to the health care program will deny them coverage. The coverage will still be there through Medicare Part B. The only thing changing is that overpayments to insurance company profits will cease. It is no wonder that the companies are telling people to be against it, the insurance companies are not worried about their customers, they are concerned that their profits are at risk.
Finally, there is no such thing as "Obamacare" and I would have severe doubts as to the intelligence of anyone using that type of slur.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 8:58 PM
According to the e-mail I received from the white house (David Axlerod), they are wanting to ban the type of health insurance policy I CHOSE to buy for myself AND AM HAPPY WITH!
Keep the insurance you have my @$$.
Where in the Constitution did we the people yield the power to mandate health insurance to the federal government? Who are THEY to tell me how much of my hard earned money I need to spend on a policy, or what coverages I must buy in order to avoid the IRS collecting a penalty from me?
I have news for them. I am self employed. There is nobody but me who will be able to "withhold" anything. I pay my taxes...income, self employment, etc. I WILL NOT PAY THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE PENALTY! Come to my house to attempt to seize take that which I've worked hard for many years to acquire and blood will be shed.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...those are the Inalienable Rights endowed upon us by our creator. This administration is attempting to take not only Liberty, but also the Pursuit of Happiness from the citizens of this great nation.
-- Posted by dixietrucker on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:22 PM
Reading my mind, Wheels? Thought this subject would be an interesting forum topic ... but suddenly started feeling timid about ... you know, being controversial?
Evidently letters have been sent out to various insurance businesses ... not just Humana ... but yes, excluding AARP.
"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid on Monday sent a notice to all companies that sell private Medicare coverage and stand-alone drug plans to seniors. Saying at least one insurer was misleading those customers about the proposed legislation [and we all know our government agencies/personnel would not dream of misleading anyone],
it told the companies "to immediately discontinue all such mailings to beneficiaries and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your Web sites."
Sorry, but anyone who doesn't view this sort of governmental tactic (and things like the administration trying to meddle in a state's upcoming governor's race) as frightening surely cannot be thinking logically ... or are so wrapped up in party and blind trust that they can't do so.
Some very good commentary on FOX News today about it, especially Dick Morris ... Freedom of Speech of course mentioned, along with many other valid points.
How can we keep turning a blind eye as our government continues to chip away at our freedoms ... AH! Because some people actually believe the 'justifications' for each and every thing they do to us. Government knows best.
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:28 PM
Medicare Part B is available to everyone and will continue to be. Medicare Part C (or Medicare Advantage) was originally offered as a less expensive option by obtaining insurance through providers such as Humana to anyone that elected it. These providers continued to raise their premiums that were paid by Medicare so that now it is more costly to the taxpayer for people to be on Medicare Advantage. Seniors will receive the same coverage through Part B as they received through Part C. There will not be a "medications or groceries" decision having to be made. This is simply another "scare tactic" being raised by insurance companies to protect their profits.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 8:58 PM
Matters,
If the above was true, there would never have been a need for Medicare Advantage or Part C. If you would like to prove the above statements I would be most interested in reading said proof.
My best guess is that you are not in the age group that is forced into Medicare.
Personally I didn't like the Advantage Plan and stayed with A and B and a Supplemental Policy. Costs more and I can see why some would elect for the Advantage Policy and don't want to see government screwing with it.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:52 PM
commonsense ... "Seniors will receive the same coverage through Part B as they received through Part C"
I do have a question or two ... because it's been so many years since I drove myself almost to distraction trying to comprehend the best Medicare plan for the price for Pops that I don't remember the particulars ...
1) Does Part C coverage take the place of Part B AND a supplement?
If so ... then the same coverage for either plan cannot be true, because on Part B, one had probably better purchase that supplement.
2) Does Part D include prescription coverage?
If so, then one had probably better sign up for that plan, too.
If Part C and Part B are the same in coverage ... then why was there a choice in the first place ... and why would people have chosen Part C with higher premiums than Part B?
Hope you or someone can answer these questions, because now I'm almost as confused as I was back when I 'studied' the plans ...
And also, can anyone explain why it is acceptable for our own government officials to mislead us by various means, but not acceptable from private enterprise?
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:55 PM
Reading my mind, Wheels? Thought this subject would be an interesting forum topic ... but suddenly started feeling timid about ... you know, being controversial?
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:28 PM
Mom,
I am in about the same kind of mood as Spank appears to be and don't reaally care if it is controversial. I am sick of tired of some Politician trying to control people and companies right to speak to one another. I hope Humana is in a position, with the right kind of help, to clean someone's clock in Washington. How dare any Banana Republic Type Politician try to control what a company can say to their customer.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:58 PM
Mom,
PS: I suppose I am officially a part of the angry mob now!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 9:59 PM
Remember the old adage ... Great minds run in the same channel? ~laughing~
But ... in my memory ... at the time Pops was getting ready for Medicare decisions, it seemed like the Advantage plan was quite a bit higher in premiums than having Part B plus supplement ...
Of course, that was before AARP started raising their supplemental premiums by quite large percentages every year (until this past year ... wondered why but was pleased they didn't).
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:01 PM
i heard Part B was changing in 2010
-- Posted by Tempest on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:14 PM
Tempest,
I had not heard that but would not question that it could. The premium that the Medicare Policy Holder pays on Part B goes up each year.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:18 PM
Well, no doubt you and Spank will perk up soon ... I'd suggest it might be the 'moon phase' or something, but I've been unusually 'perky' the last few days ... I like me better that way (and no doubt so does Pops) ... but without figuratively sticking my head in the sand, it's tough to stay 'up' sometimes when it comes to politics, etc.
I like that though ... How dare ... anyone in our government try to control what a company can say ... or many other various things. Afraid things are going to explode if all this type of thing goes on much longer.
I'd have to look it up again, but believe the government pays over $800 a month in 'premiums' for each Medicare recipient. Always thought the government actually pays for our care, but (the way I understood it) they pay insurance companies premiums. It was in an article about federal employees' insurance coverage. Haven't been able to find out who the premiums go to, though.
Even though this is refering to privacy, thinking it could also apply to other categories where we are slowly being deprived of certain rights we used to consider rather sacred:
"The privacy and dignity of our citizens [are] being whittled away by sometimes imperceptible steps. Taken individually, each step may be of little consequence. But when viewed as a whole, there begins to emerge a society quite unlike any we have seen--a society in which government may intrude into the regions of a [person's] life."
Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas
I think I've caught your headache. Darn.
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:45 PM
Last I read, Part B premiums won't raise this coming year for those already enrolled in it (because there will be no SS COLA), but they will be higher for new enrollees.
I have to keep wondering ... with Medicare 'in financial trouble' ... but the plan so far is to cut huge amounts from it to help pay for a 'government health plan' ... If that happens, we probably will find some major changes in our coverage.
Sounds fair to me ... Working toward retirement for 50 years and paying into 'the system' shouldn't be rewarded by guaranteeing our medical security when younger, healthier people might want or need it.
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:55 PM
November 2010 can't get here soon enough! Clean out congress of the Pelosilite, install conservatives, repeal or amendment to death every socialist scheme the White House might get through between now and them, and then inform the Boy Wonder he stands in mighty peril of impeachment.
If the citizens have one ounce of intelligence and determination, they will get rid of Obama and Company at the very first opportunity.
-- Posted by voyager on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 11:26 PM
I'd have to look it up again, but believe the government pays over $800 a month in 'premiums' for each Medicare recipient. Always thought the government actually pays for our care, but (the way I understood it) they pay insurance companies premiums. It was in an article about federal employees' insurance coverage. Haven't been able to find out who the premiums go to, though.
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 10:45 PM
Mom,
I had not read that, but it was my understanding that if you opted for one of the Medicare Advantage Plans that the Medicare coverage money placed on each retiree in the system, plus the Part B money paid by the Medicare recipient was paid towards the Advantage Plan. Any additional costs for the plan chosen were to be paid by the Medicare Recipient. Some companies I understand offered their Advantage Plan at no additional charge, but it might have less coverage. I am getting confused.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 11:29 PM
" I am getting confused."
And that, Wheels, is exactly what our government wants us to be! ~laughing~ ... well ... only because it's better than crying...
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 11:34 PM
Mom,
With that, I think I am cashing in for the day. I am bushed and tomorrow, I get to entertain an 8 year old and a 6 year old. I will probably need a whip and a chair!
Night to you and best regards to Pops!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 11:50 PM
This is one of the things I was remembering that made me think the government pays insurance companies a 'premium' for Part B coverage at least ... Perhaps I am misinterpreting the meaning of '... the government pays 75% of the Part B premium ...' It is an article written in 2002 comparing Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to the Medicare program.
The government (meaning taxpayers like you and me) pays 72% of the average premium but not more than 75%. Your Congressman saw the remaining 25% deducted from his $12,500 monthly paycheck (also paid for by you and me). This is similar to the amount the government pays under Medicare. Under Medicare, the government pays 75% of the Part B premium and the other 25% monthly premium is deducted from your Social Security check (which is much, much less than $12,500 per month).
Have fun tomorrow ... don't let the youngsters talk you into tying you to the chair or anythiing like that!
-- Posted by gurusmom on Wed, Sep 23, 2009, at 11:53 PM
Per Kaiser Health Services:
Medicare is divided into four parts -- A, B, C and D.
Medicare Part A pays for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A and have a $1,068 deductible for inpatient hospital stays.
Part B pays for physician, outpatient and preventive services, as well as some home health visits. Most pay a $96.40 monthly premium, with a $135 deductible. In addition, people are responsible for 20 percent of the bill.
Part A and Part B operate on a fee-for-service arrangement: patients choose their own doctors and hospitals and those providers generally bill Medicare directly.
Part C, also known the Medicare Advantage program, allows beneficiaries to enroll in a private health plans -- such as HMOs - and receive all Medicare-covered benefits. The initial idea was to improve coordination of care at a lower cost than fee-for-service. However, the federal government spends more on average per beneficiary inthe Medicare Advantage program than traditional Medicare.
Part D is the voluntary, subsidized prescription drug benefit administered by private plans. The premiums and deductibles for Part D vary, depending on the plan. The drug plan covers 75 percent of allowable drug expenses up to $2,700 and then does not kick back in until the patient has reached a catastrophic limit of $4,350 on out-of-pocket spending. This creates a "doughnut hole" in which patients have to pay 100 percent of prescription costs.
About 90 percent of beneficiaries have some form of supplemental insurance to fill in the benefit gaps.
Because of continually increasing costs, Part C will apparently not continue to be fully funded (primarily because it now costs more than Part B and provides the same coverage). To continue to stay on Part C, you will have to pay more because your insuror is now charging more and the taxpayer will not continue to pay the difference. The hole in Part D is being filled.
I am on Medicare Parts A and B with Tricare Supplemental (from 24 years of military service) and am fully satisfied with both programs.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 8:53 AM
here are the facts. My in-laws use to have medicare part A & B and pay for a supplement insurance. When Medicare Advantage was offered they jumped on it and chose Humana as their provider. This has saved them over $200 per month. Obama wants to cut Medicare Advantage. This will force my in-laws to loose the Humana they love and pay for a supplement again. $200 might not mean much to you commonsensematters, but to my inlaws it could mean the differnce between buying diabetic supplies and groceries.
dixie- hadn't seen you post in a while- missed you since you are always spot on right!
-- Posted by Skeptic1 on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 9:27 AM
Medicare Advantage Plans (MA or MA-PDP)
Medicare Advantage plans were first known as "Medicare+Choice" plans but later took on the name "Medicare Advantage". These plans offer both health insurance coverage and optional drug coverage benefits (sometimes called MA-PD plans). Coverage is typically offered through a network of doctors and health care providers. Medicare Advantage plans often have higher co-pay amounts than a Medigap plan and may also require your primary care physician be in their network. However, Medicare Advantage monthly premiums are low. Some companies actually offer $0 premium plans and in some areas some plans will pay a portion of your part B premium (sometimes referred to as 'return of premium').
The above states what a Medicare Advantage Plan is.
Matters,
Last night you stated, "Medicare Part B is available to everyone and will continue to be."
That is true... at least for now.
You further said, " Medicare Part C (or Medicare Advantage) was originally offered as a less expensive option by obtaining insurance through providers such as Humana to anyone that elected it. These providers continued to raise their premiums that were paid by Medicare so that now it is more costly to the taxpayer for people to be on Medicare Advantage."
While I do not know what the government elects to pay these providers, I am reasonably sure they do not get a boost just because they ask for it, unless it comes from the Policy Holder.
Again you said, "Seniors will receive the same coverage through Part B as they received through Part C."
THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
Finally you say, " There will not be a "medications or groceries" decision having to be made."
That is a case by case situation that only the Medicare Recipient would be able to determine!
You say, "This is simply another "scare tactic" being raised by insurance companies to protect their profits."
And the above is an infomercial.
I am not an insurance expert by any stretch of the imagination, but simply can not watch someone say that Part B is going to pay exactly the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan does without filling in some of the missing information.
I will restate what I said last night, if the above was true, there would never have been a need for Medicare Advantage or Part C in the first place.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 10:10 AM
Would seem some are concerned with the cost of Medicare part B increase in premiums. As in making sure they don't go up. Well at least for a year or two.
-- Posted by Pups on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 3:52 PM
Pups,
No matter how they slice it, I will get a decrease next year. This year my wife and I both got hit with an almost double premium because of a one time increase in income which put us over the cut off for the standard charge. I closed out a retirement account that it took me many years to build, and after I paid my taxes in 2008, I found us owing almost double for our Part B for 2009.
Oh well you are carrying me and soon to be carrying BN if I remember correctly.
You feeling up to it? I hope.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 8:46 PM
Wheels,
Don't know lately. Been feeling a bit worn out. Not sure how many more I can hold up. lol
-- Posted by Pups on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 8:50 PM
Pups,
BN and I are counting on you, please don't let us down in our "hour" of need!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 10:14 PM
Wheels,
I'll try. But, I only promise to do it for another 30/40 years.
-- Posted by Pups on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 10:25 PM
Pups,
That will be adequate I assure you. Don't know about BN, but I should be "stable" by then
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Thu, Sep 24, 2009, at 10:32 PM
Let me try again to insert some common sense into this discussion. It is the case that Part B coverage is equal to what is available through Part C or Medicare Advantage, in that they cover the same types of problems. Part C appeared to have been offered when HMO's were thought to be the answer to rising costs. Now Part C costs more than Part B. The taxpayer should not have to continue to pay for someone else's Medicare Advantage when Part B is available. What part of cost savings do you not understand?
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 3:37 AM
Let me try again to insert some common sense into this discussion. It is the case that Part B coverage is equal to what is available through Part C or Medicare Advantage, in that they cover the same types of problems.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 3:37 AM
commonsense???,
Yes, Part B and Part C are the same in the context that they cover the same kinds of problems... Medical Problems. But they are not equal and the same as you asserted earlier.
They are the same just like a Model A Ford and a Rolls Royce are. They both are transportation but they are not the same and equal transportation.
Try looking at the 6 plans listed on the link below and come back and tell us that they are all the same and Part B provides exactly the same coverage.
You say, "What part of cost savings do you not understand?"
What part of, some of these poorer people want their health problem fixed, and cost is not the only object, do you not understand?
On the one hand we want to cover a few million illegals, and on the other we do not want to take care of citizens who worked all their life and now need some of the help they paid for their entire working career.
One more thing, this is the statement that I took issue with to begin with, it is your words taken from you first post on the subject....
"Seniors will receive the same coverage through Part B as they received through Part C."
All I can say is Prove It!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 1:02 PM
Sorry to say, Wiffle ... that there are several various things that Medicare (even with supplemental insurance) does not pay for, but which Medicaid does ...
Dental and basic eye care (including eyeglasses) comes to mind, I believe, as well as a better prescription drug 'plan' than Medicare Part D or private insurance.
Those are the types of things that do, understandably, upset people ... that some, whether legitimately capable of improving their financial stituation or even not able to, might have more access to health benefits than those who work, or have worked, in order to be independent of government help.
Envy, jealousy ... a little hard-hearted attitude? Perhaps those feelings are sometimes justifiable?
-- Posted by gurusmom on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 5:59 PM
You all and Bill Gates may be able to afford the Rolls-Royce. I can only afford the Ford. Face it, the world is not fair. Buy the medical insurance you want, but do not ask us taxpayers to pay for more than everyone else gets. If that means we only get Part B, live with it.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Sep 26, 2009, at 3:40 PM
All of which begs the question,
"Whose gonna clean up the dog poo?" Betcha it ain't gonna be Obamarama.
-- Posted by voyager on Sat, Sep 26, 2009, at 4:10 PM
You all and Bill Gates may be able to afford the Rolls-Royce. I can only afford the Ford. Face it, the world is not fair. Buy the medical insurance you want, but do not ask us taxpayers to pay for more than everyone else gets. If that means we only get Part B, live with it.
-- Posted by commonsensematters on Sat, Sep 26, 2009, at 3:40 PM
commonsense??
No, you are the one who has the Rolls Royce of Medicare Plans. You have A & B and a more expensive Supplemental Plan, you stated so yourself, and so do I.
It is the people that cannot afford the Supplemental Plan that I am concerned with. I could afford to pay for my own Suppplemental, so I did, these people have little other choice but take the Medicare Advantage Route and now Obama wants to stop that so he can legitimize 12,000,000 illegals and give them free health care. That bothers me.
At lease you backed into admitting you were wrong about Medicare Complete and Part B being the same thing. I suppose that means that maybe this isn't simply a "scare tactic" as you so clearly stated in your first post.
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Sat, Sep 26, 2009, at 4:14 PM
Menu
http://michellemalkin.com/
Is AARP as corrupt as ACORN? The more we hear from health care the more confusing it becomes.
Replies (35)