America’s seniors are constantly bombarded by insurance
company’s selling Medicare Advantage Plans to replace their current Medicare
coverage. These plans offer lower
copayments and more services like free health club memberships. Most of our senior’s live on a fixed
income. Their income has not kept up
with real inflation. The older and
sicker Medicare beneficiaries spend a much higher percent of their income on
health care. This has attracted
approximately 12.7 million Medicare beneficiaries to switch to Medicare
Advantage Plans. One study estimated the
Medicare Advantage plans cost Medicare an extra $34.1 billion in 2012.
It appears some of the people have finally noticed the
problems with Medicare Advantage Plans.
The Attorney General for the state of Minnesota is asking the federal
government to investigate Humana for denying legitimate claims. They have been accused of pattern of denying
claims and overcharging enrollees. The Attorney
General’s office compiled several hundred pages of affidavits that it presented
to the federal government on Friday. This proves Humana has been improperly handling
insurance claims by dozens of Minnesotan enrolled in it's Medicare Advantage
plans.
A United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan that covers
35,000 beneficiaries in southwest Florida is dropping at least 300 doctors and
hard-to-find medical specialists from its Southwest Florida network. This will create problems for the
beneficiaries to find physicians and healthcare providers.
Home Health and Hospice providers have long known the
problems of dealing with Medicare Advantage insurance companies. They may require prior approval for services,
limit the amount of services for seniors, delay payments, pay lower rates or
require home health agencies and hospices to be members of their network.
Home health agencies, hospices, other providers, suppliers
and physicians should become advocates for their Medicare patients. They should explain the limitations that will
be imposed by Medicare Advantage Plans. They should join with other senior
organizations and advocate for their patients.
We all need to pull together to stop this exploitation of our
seniors.
Medicare Advantage Plan Study Link
Minnesota Attorney General Article Link
United Healthcare Article Link
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