As I See It: Understanding Medicare Advantage

[Northeast Agent]

[EXTERNAL LINK] - As I See It: Understanding Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is much different from traditional Medicare. Be certain that you understand the differences. Ask questions, because you may not be told everything that you need to know. Talk to friends about their experiences. Medicare Advantage has disadvantages that are very similar to commercial health insurance that you had prior to age 65, with corporate protocols designed to maximize profits. Approval protocols and appeal processes may delay your care.

 

[InsuranceGuy29]

[EXTERNAL LINK] - As I See It: Understanding Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is much different from traditional Medicare. Be certain that you understand the differences. Ask questions, because you may not be told everything that you need to know. Talk to friends about their experiences. Medicare Advantage has disadvantages that are very similar to commercial health insurance that you had prior to age 65, with corporate protocols designed to maximize profits. Approval protocols and appeal processes may delay your care.

Just a question....why are you on here seemingly constantly bashing Medicare Advantage? I sell both supplements and Medicare Advantage, and have literally fielded maybe 3 complaints about Medicare Advantage in my entire 8 year career and it turns out they just made mistakes in interpreting how some portion of it worked. I literally have a client (and close friend) who has an Advantage plan and he has cancer.

He's seeing the best doctors, specialists, and is in a top-tier hospital, and is paying almost nothing in copays. The guy is literally going through chemo and keeps calling me to praise me for putting him on the plan. None of his care is getting denied, and the company is going out of their way to accommodate him.

None of my clients are ever denied care, and in fact, all I get are praises about how much money they're saving every month (and reinvesting) from the huge monthly premiums they no longer have to pay every month for medical, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs plans. Also should be noted that prescription drug copays also usually trend WAY higher when you don't have a Medicare Advantage plan.

Is Medicare Advantage perfect for everyone? Of course not....everyone is different. Will supplements be better for certain situations and certain people's desires? Of course. But it's just clear to me there is just a major agenda in all of these "mEdiCarE AdVanTagE is SaTan!!!" posts. And for those lurking, this is coming directly form an agent's mouth who offers BOTH Medicare Advantage and Supplements. Explain both, and let them decide what's best for them. Also needs to be noted that these plans continue to get stronger every single year. No need for the fear campaign.

 

[DonP]

I’ve converted at least 30 Medicare supplements to mapd the last few yrs . I have gotten zero and I mean zero complaints. So if it’s so evil surely I’d have gotten 1 complaint .

 

[Travis Price]

Just to be completely honest. Most clients don't remember who you are after you sell them unless you're nurturing the relations. They go to the insurance company and Medicare to complain.

Secondly, and I'm not knocking Don by any means, but realistically.. 30 flips in a year is too low of sample size, both in quantity and time frame. People won't complain until they start getting bills or having to go through managed care.

Insurance agents rely too much on anecdotal evidence without looking at the overall landscape of the industry. Your 500+ (or whatever book) is way too small.

 

[Northeast Agent]

InsuranceGuy29 said:

Just a question....why are you on here seemingly constantly bashing Medicare Advantage? I sell both supplements and Medicare Advantage, and have literally fielded maybe 3 complaints about Medicare Advantage in my entire 8 year career and it turns out they just made mistakes in interpreting how some portion of it worked.

I do offer both, but educate them on the restrictions of MA plans so they know what they're getting themselves into.

My parents both have upcoming procedures scheduled. My mother's injection was approved in a few hours and my dad's surgery in two days. Mom's home Bible study ladies group were amazed when she told them. They are all on MA plans and were griping about having to wait for PA.

The complaints I hear most often are people not getting enough time in skilled nursing and that they have cancer and "my plan doesn't cover it!" Well, "Steve I told you you're on the hook for the 20% and we also discussed cancer insurance, but since it doesn't run in your family you weren't interested."

Everyone loves their MA plan with all the bells and whistles until they are seeing specialists several times a month and paying out-of-pocket for Xrays, other tests etc. Then it's,"I want what my sister has! She pays $0 for everything." Well, when you had the opportunity to buy a Med Supp, you wanted the $0 plan and now it's too late for a Supp.

 

[Todd King]

InsuranceGuy29 said:

Everyone loves their MA plan with all the bells and whistles until they are seeing specialists several times a month and paying out-of-pocket for Xrays, other tests etc. Then it's,"I want what my sister has! She pays $0 for everything." Well, when you had the opportunity to buy a Med Supp, you wanted the $0 plan and now it's too late for a Supp.

Ain't it the truth!!

 

[DonP]

Ain't it the truth!!

Aint it the truth that so many people can’t afford $300 plus a month with crap pdp coverage . I’m selling the crap out of $2 k moops with $0 at the dr in or out of network and $0 premium

 

[Todd King]

Aint it the truth that so many people can’t afford $300 plus a month with crap pdp coverage . I’m selling the crap out of $2 k moops with $0 at the dr in or out of network and $0 premium

Going to go out on a limb here and say that most people in AZ don't put out $300 or more a month for a Med Supp and PDP.

 

[Fisher]

I’m selling the crap out of $2 k moops with $0 at the dr in or out of network and $0 premium

What AZ plan has a 2K moop?

 

[asher]

But in south premium they do
I have drs lawyers dentists on mapd
IRMAA & premiums & drugs
A PPO with no premium a moop and all those ancillaries very attractive
I’m having a tough time showing Supp
No one in south Fl wants to pay!