10/12/2024
Please be informed when signing up for Medicare! Advantage plans are actually REPLACEMENT plans. They REPLACE your Medicare with different coverage and a middle man who uses a computer program to determine what you need instead of letting your doctor and healthcare team decide. Some of the plans (such as United Health Care) continue to increase the burden on providers so that we literally lose HOURS of time and reimbursement trying to jump through their hoops to get authorization and then they deny or recoup claims anyway. Healthcare is getting uglier and uglier each year and for some reason the federal government regulates all the things, except how these advantage plans TAKE advantage of millions of people.
Yes, I understand for some people it’s the only thing they can afford. Yes, I understand for a small percentage of the population that their advantage plan fits them well….well, until there is a serious medical condition and you need to see a specialist and/or need ongoing treatment/rehab for your condition (such as a stroke, heart attack, broken femur, head injury, sepsis, etc.). Remember- nobody schedules accidents, injuries, or illness. You just need to make sure you are informed and prepared should the these arise.
Ideally, Traditional Medicare with a SUPPLEMENT (it supplements coverage for the 20% that Medicare doesn’t cover) is an ideal choice. No, unfortunately, it does not provide dental coverage (dental coverage is usually a joke anyway!), vision coverage, or hearing coverage….but you are more likely to be able to see just about any provider, specialist, hospital, inpatient rehab, and outpatient therapist you want to see.
Open enrollment period for Medicare is October 15th - December 7th. Make sure you are informed on the differences between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. It can make a big difference in the care you are able to receive