Quote:
Originally Posted by mtdjed
I thank you for bringing this topic to attention. I did a Google search and found an interesting article which describes the process. As any article could be subject to being biased and incorrect, one must be suspect to the article and to interpretation. The article is on this link.
Why Medicare Advantage costs taxpayers billions more than it should – Center for Public Integrity
So, my simplistic interpretation is "Fraud", not by users or providers, but rather by the Medicare Advantage Programs providing the networks. Apparently, the initial program was meant to eliminate fraud by individual claims and this program was conjured up to eliminate that. Seems that the original program was a one cost covers all and some Advantage programs cherrypicked participants to sign up only the healthiest to minimize costs. The program was then changed to add a risk factor for severity of participants needs. Supposedly, that has been abused by some Advantage programs by getting higher funding for participants with higher risks.
Seems that the other benefits offered such as freebies are not the driver since they are not covered by Medicare.
Again, this is my interpretation of the article (which may or may not be true). I would expect the normal on line experts will be around to correct my interpretation and the source that I found.
I am not a user of Medicare Advantage. I have original Medicare and a Supplement program which also now pays for Gym membership. Supplement payment is now about $160/Month. Gym membership was $55/Month and now is free, covered by the Supplement which is still $160 / Month. Hmm! Wonder where that extra $55 came from. Maybe the theory is that I am heathier and require less medical care |
Which Supplemental plan do you have? My mother had Plan F, which cost her close to $300 per month. Do you also have Part D ( the drug plan) ? What do you pay for that? Do you have a supplemental dental and optical plan as well?