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Kashkakat v.2.0

(1,752 posts)
1. Unreadable - why dont u just tell us what he sez
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 12:05 AM
Oct 2023

Not subscribing to anything unless I have some idea of what Im subscribing to.

Grasswire2

(13,571 posts)
2. you can get information about the deficiencies of Medicare Advantage without subscribing to that.
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 12:33 AM
Oct 2023

The best plans are not ADVANTAGE plans, which often have gimmicks or useless "benefits" and other problems.

The best plans are "Medigap" or "original Medicare" where the benefits are STANDARDIZED by law.

Silent Type

(2,933 posts)
3. If you can afford traditional Medicare, a supplement and Part D, it's way to go. If not, Advantage
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 12:49 AM
Oct 2023

are probably best you can do.

That’s the main reason 51% of Medicare beneficiaries choose it, as of 2023. The incessant advertising is partially responsible, but they are offering coverage to a lot of people who just can’t afford MediGap and a drug plan.

If traditional Medicare is affordable, it’s preferable. But too often it doesn’t work for people with little disposable income.

dflprincess

(28,082 posts)
4. Ask yourself, why do the insurance companies all push Advantage plans.
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 01:00 AM
Oct 2023

Hint: It's not because they care about us.

yellowdogintexas

(22,270 posts)
5. It is because they are designed to make profit for the insurance company
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 01:49 AM
Oct 2023

Traditional Medicare B is not; With Part B you can always find a doctor who is covered because there are no networks. Medicare B has a limited by law small % overhead to allow for increased cost of doing business. The Medicare Director does not make millions per year, either. CEOs of the insurance companies make obscene amounts of money.

Part B has the lowest cost per claim, fastest turnaround time, and lowest error percentage in the industry.

Response to egbertowillies (Original post)

Kashkakat v.2.0

(1,752 posts)
9. Thx, what I want to figure out is if - or how much - my insurance plan is
Sun Oct 29, 2023, 05:55 PM
Oct 2023

determining how the Dr. is treating me. Have been on advantage plan, only cos I didnt know better (and cheap for someone in good health) But once when I asked to get thyroid and other levels checked (had reason to) they let the cat out of the bag - I was told they had to justify it for the insurance co, there had to be some reason, they couldnt just run tests for the sake of running tests. To which I responded I just want the same level of care MY SENIOR CAT gets every year - complete check of all values - kidnesy, thyroid, liver, blood glucose, etc etc etc. - the idea being as my vet always tells me, to catch problems early on before they become big problems.

Hmmm I wonder if a vet could take a blood draw from me instead of my cat and order a senior panel? Only costs a couple hundred dollars LOL.

Anyway, Ive had other instances where they wont do things that they used to do when I had regular HMO insurance, not sure how much is medicare, how much is the advantage plan, or maybe none of the above.

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