One good point made by Obama - cut 'Medicare Advantage' subsidies to private insurance.

[pinto]

It's always been a scam, imho. He almost said as much. I'm glad he's made it a point in the discussion.

[polichick]

1. I don't know how that works - what is it? nt

[rusty charly]

3. Here:

http://www.aarphealthcare.com/products/medicareadvantage/

[polichick]

4. Thanks! nt

[laughingliberal]

5. Essentially, it is HMO's for seniors

Here's a link to one article a victim wrote.

http://www.suddenlyseniors.com/medicareadvantage.html

[Cleita]

12. Also, in my area none of the doctors will take Medicare Advantage because

they have been stiffed too many times by the insurance companies for low fees, slow payments and sometimes no payments.

[OHdem10]

16. In my area so many Doctors refuse Medicare Patients because

the Government does not pay that well.

Medicare Advantage is a wayfor us to have coverage and know
we can get a Doctor.


Doctors have signs Medicare not accepted as Primary Insurance.

Medicare Advantage Seniors get the short shrift. Maybe that
is why they say Medicare is being cut. They will sure have
to pay more under the new plan.

[pinto]

6. It's an "add on" option to Medicare. rusty charly's link above has the info.

http://www.aarphealthcare.com/products/medicareadvantage/

[Kerrytravelers]

2. Exactly. But the townhall birthers are too busy screaming to listen to what he's proposing.

[Cha]

15. That's the trouble with screaming and covering your

ears..you might not hear the train coming.

[sandnsea]

7. I've seen DUers bash Obama based on that cut

and other Medicare cuts that make perfect sense.

[ejpoeta]

8. this is what they are using to say he is going to cut their benefits... cutting subsidies to

the insurance companies. too bad folks aren't interested in actually finding things out for themselves. easier just to believe what you are told by limbaugh and faux news.

[pinto]

9. Exactly. Medicare Advantage is *no* benefit, imho. I'm on Medicare,

have never had any problem with accessing or reimbursing health care providers, including specialists.

[Cleita]

14. Me neither and I believe we live in the same area. n/t

[Cleita]

10. It's a good start but the Medicare Advantage programs need to be cut

altogether because they are draining the fund more rapidly than it should be. Medicare should cover all health care and prescription drugs with no deductibles or copays. Taking the for profit parasites out of the equation will go a long way in helping to do that.

[windbreeze]

11. you betcha....this is the one that needs curtailed, big time...

This is how it works...a person joins a Medicare advantage program...they pay the same as I do every month for their coverage...around $100...BUT...their coverage is through a private health insurance provider such as HUMANA....AND the gov't picks up the extra tab that HUMANA charges...which can be as much as $500/$600 a month PER PERSON...AND...from what I hear, once a person signs up for one of these programs...the Ins. Co...tells you what doctor you can go to, and when...so both the gov't AND the senior get ripped off...How do I know this??? because one of these insurance providers tried to get me to sign up...to the point of calling me several times a week...and this is how they told me it works....and when I said to the guy....this makes no sense to me...WHY would the gov't pick up that extra cost every month...???and what happens to me IF they decide all of a sudden that they can't afford it any longer?? OH...also, unless I cancelled my private insurance through my husband's employer...I WAS NOT QUALIFIED....guess you know what I did, right??? said no thanks...because there was no way I was cancelling the insurance I had for 25 years...to take a chance on the advantage program...to iffy for me...wb

[Cha]

13. I believe he's mentioned it in all three Town Halls..

Portsmouth, Bozeman, and Grand Junction.