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You have probably seen ads on television selling Medicare Advantage. They are so successful that now more people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage than traditional Medicare. Unfortunately people don't realize there are significant differences between the two. "Medicare Advantage" is a for-profit program. The federal government gives them a lump sum to manage patient care as they see fit, while making money. Hence, Medicare Advantage can delay payment, deny it, or skimp on care. And it costs taxpayers more.
While their misleading propaganda offers more benefits, like dental, vision and hearing coverage, their plans often restrict choice of provider, number of visits and total coverage. Once enrolled, seniors discover that medically necessary care is routinely denied, which would be covered by traditional Medicare. The denials are bogus because 82% of appeals are overturned and care provided, though it may be too late. No wonder in 2021 there were 41,000 complaints about Medicare Advantage.
Some politicians advocate privatizing Medicare, which means less would be spent on care, to increase profits. What we need is Medicare for All so that no one had to skimp on medicines or lose their home because of medical expenses. We are the only industrialized nation which does not provide free health care. Some in US are so afraid of "socialism" that they reject Medicare for All though they accept other "socialist" programs like Social Security. They don't realize they are sacrificing their own wellbeing so that corporations can make a profit.
SANDRA FOLZER
Mansfield
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom