Quote:
Originally Posted by Happydaz
Let me clarify my topic. I am not talking about how much a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare-MediGap plan costs an individual patient nor how much these plans reimburse a medical provider or hospital. I am referring to the cost these two plans cost CMS, the government Medicare program that our Medicare taxes and other funds are used to pay out for claims. What it comes down to is Medicare Advantage plans cost the Medicare fund more than regular Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans were supposed to cost less but due to unexpected bonuses and other costs, Medicare has had to pay $321 (recent 2019 data) more per patient than regular Medicare. Since Advantage plans restrict doctor choice, drug choice, require specialist referrals and were paid a set amount of money per patient, they were seen as a way for the government to save money over regular Medicare. Advantage plans are administered by insurance companies and they are extremely profitable. The Advantage plans also offer a lot of freebies, like low premiums and low co pays, free gym memberships, free over the counter drugs, etc. so they are attractive to individuals signing up as they may cost them less up front, but our Medicare fund pays more. This may mean that Advantage plans may come under scrutiny by Congress.
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$321 per what? Day? Month? Year? Doctor Visit?
I no longer use Medicare so, I can't speak to your numbers, other than to say, Medicare isa. good example of how a half ass'ed attempt to provide Healthcare works and costs (not very well). The VA which I now get all my healthcare through is a GOOD example of what a universal healthcare system should/could work.