[BigDawgInLakeDenham]

Originally Posted by MX rider

Thats what I've been saying as well. Do your research, talk to SHINE, check the ratings and providers, and make an educated decision. We even talked to people on UHC. Having more than one option is a good thing.

But I disagree on this, if you're responding to a post titled "Medicare Advantage plans", and using MA plans as an abbreviation, it isn't confusing anyone. imo

Everyone in Healthcare and the Insurance industry hearing MA automatically thinks Medicaid aka Medical Assistance. Feel free to disagree with established Insurance acronyms. Medicare Advantage plans are commonly referred to as Advantage plans....just stating facts I know from over 30 years working as a Registered Nurse in a world class hospital....I for one will never be able to say I have MA because my retirement income precludes me from being poor enough to qualify for MA. If you have MA then say it

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by BigDawgInLakeDenham

There is so much false information and opions on this issue presened here that it proves there are many people that don't know what they are talking about but will remain passionate about their opinion based on their limited experiences. Everyone needs to educate themselves through researching all of their opinions THEMSELVES!!! It's about you and your personal needs. No one here knows your personal health information and no one knows your travel plans...etc. Maybe you are 80 and maybe you are 45 on SSDI with Medicare but mostly healthy.....nobody here knows and that is why you need to choose the best you can afford. Should you pay for an insurance company that will send you to your cancer center of choice but you have no cancer history and no risk factors....only you can decide that. Just Please don't base your needs on everything you've read here and talk to your Doctors and Insurance advisors. As a retired RN I have a greater understanding of how it all works. If I like my current Doctors and I am changing insurance I call my doctors' offices and ask to talk to the billing person. I tell them my situation and I ask what insurances they accept and which one is the best payor to assist in my informed decision.....in addition to talking to my Doctor, insurance advisors, and my own research. I know it's much harder for folks that haven't worked in the health industry and everything seems like a different language...but it's not hard to do your own research. One thing is for sure, after a career in the ER, I've never ever seen someone denied a life saving procedure....insurance or not. Oh....Medigap insurance is from the same insurance companies that offer Advantage plans. And stop saying MA instead of Medicare Advantage because every Healthcare practitioner knows MA means Medicaid. Do you qualify for Medical Assistance? If you do then how can you afford your bills here in the Villages. Stop confusing the issue with MA please

Thank you, after having worked in the health insurance industry, I know what you mean about doing your homework. The NIH Science Library in 2021 reported that most advantage Medicare plans are Racial/ethnic minority populations with low incomes are more likely to enter MA, often because MA plans provide more generous or additional benefits such as eyeglasses, etc. There definitely is a market price point for many and that is all well and good. (The MA acronym was used by the NIH...)

My warning is for all those ads being promoted every fall that there is an effort to eliminate Original Medicare. If all seniors are pushed into advantage medicare plans managed by for profit private insurers, the ramifications will be noted quickly.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Thank you, after having worked in the health insurance industry, I know what you mean about doing your homework. The NIH Science Library in 2021 reported that most advantage Medicare plans are Racial/ethnic minority populations with low incomes are more likely to enter MA, often because MA plans provide more generous or additional benefits such as eyeglasses, etc. There definitely is a market price point for many and that is all well and good. (The MA acronym was used by the NIH...)

My warning is for all those ads being promoted every fall that there is an effort to eliminate Original Medicare. If all seniors are pushed into advantage medicare plans managed by for profit private insurers, the ramifications will be noted quickly.

Blah, blah, blah. 2021 is 4 years ago and the data is from before that. I know quite a few very smart, successful people, which includes my wife and I, that chose MA plans, not due to cost, but because we think they're a better fit.
You continue to insult peoples intelligence thinking you know better.

Many disagree with your "the sky is falling" statements.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by MX rider

Blah, blah, blah. 2021 is 4 years ago and the data is from before that. I know quite a few very smart, successful people, which includes my wife and I, that chose MA plans, not due to cost, but because we think they're a better fit.
You continue to insult peoples intelligence thinking you know better.

Many disagree with your "the sky is falling" statements.

Blah, blah, blah..If reading comprehension is there, that is a printed statement from the NIH, not my statement. As I said earlier, there is a segment of the population for which advantage medicare works, let's just hope it doesn't push out Original Medicare.

For those who are truly interested in this discussion and why the concern about advantage medicare, I recommend you read this entire piece.. Perform an internet search with this leader: Growth in Medicare Advantage Raises Concerns