cheapbag214s
Joined: 27 Jun 2013
Posts: 18472
Read: 0 topics
Warns: 0/5
Location: England
|
 Posted: Thu 5:56, 22 Aug 2013 Post subject: Medicare Advantage cuts to hurt seniors Knoxville |
|
|
Medicare Advantage cuts to hurt seniors Knoxville News Sentinel
Health care has been a large part of our national political debate for the last four years. We've heard debates on reimbursements, so-called death panels and just overall patient care. What we haven't heard, and perhaps what should be at the top of our health care priorities, is the value of wellness programs and keeping people out of the doctor's office.
It is no great shock that workplace wellness program spending has increased over the last few years, because people have begun to realize that keeping people out of hospitals and doctor's offices is the best way to reduce health care spending. That is why I was somewhat surprised to learn in an article in Forbes magazine that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would be reducing payments to Medicare Advantage plans by 7 to 8 percent in 2014. Some studies indicate that these cuts could cost seniors an extra $800 a month in increased premiums or potential benefit reductions.
Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans that major insurers offer to seniors in addition to traditional Medicare. As a director of a local YMCA, I see the benefits of these plans on a daily basis through wellness programs such as Silver Sneakers. Silver Sneakers helps seniors take greater control of their health by keeping them involved in physical activity such as swimming,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], aerobics and other activities.
I have seen the great benefits that wellness programs can have on a senior's health. I've seen 80-year-olds keep up with 60-year-olds. I've seen 60-year-olds participating in programs that our younger members enjoy. And when asked how they are feeling,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], they usually respond with a resounding "great." It is my belief that seniors participating in these programs are in the gym more than they are in the doctor's office.
I don't write this to say that Medicare Advantage is a better option than Medicare,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], but if seniors who are participating in these fitness programs see the benefits, then by all means it should be one of their choices.
By reducing payments to these plans in an effort to save federal dollars,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], are we really saving in the long run? It is no great secret that if payments are reduced to private insurers, seniors participating in these programs are either going to get benefits cut or going to see a raise in their costs. An extra $50 a month may not seem like a lot, but considering most seniors live on fixed incomes, it would force a majority of seniors out of plans they enjoy and benefit from, thus limiting their choices.
I do not claim to be a health care policy expert,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], nor do I claim to have knowledge of what is best in terms of private versus public insurance. However,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], I am an expert on seeing the benefits that Medicare Advantage programs like Silver Sneakers have on seniors on a daily basis. I hear how much they love this program and how being fit and healthy has improved their quality of life.
I hope our leaders in the federal government will recognize what a bargain health and fitness programs are to all of us. More people in the gym equals fewer people in the doctors' offices. That's the way to lower health care costs and improve everyone's quality of life. Keep healthy choices for our seniors,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
I am always amazed at the number of people who come to the United States for medical care. This should be no surprise as I feel we have the most highly educated medical professionals in the world; just look at all the students who come from abroad to study medicine here. That being said,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], we need to focus our concern on how to manage the cost without affecting the quality, two factors that easily affect each other. Personally, I'm not sure that we should look abroad for a model to accomplish this.
I am always amazed at the number of people who come to the United States for medical care. This should be no surprise as I feel we have the most highly educated medical professionals in the world; just look at all the students who come from abroad to study medicine here. That being said,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], we need to focus our concern on how to manage the cost without affecting the quality, two factors that easily affect each other. Personally, I'm not sure that we should look abroad for a model to accomplish this.
Medicare pays the insurance companies about $700 a month for each person that signs up with their Medicare Advantage Plan. That amount varies depending on what county a person lives in and can be much higher than that. The monthly payment is for them to administer all the Medicare benefits, hospital, medical and prescription drugs. The person may have a monthly premium as well as copays to all providers. Many of the insurance companies have been offering some benefits above and beyond that covered by Medicare and that is what they will be cutting if Medicare does indeed lower the monthly fee they pay them.
It is up to the insurance companies as to how they will pass along these cuts while still maintaining a profit (and high CEO salaries).
Thanks for bringing this topic to light Jim. I think most of the posters and readers so far have really missed the point you were trying to make. Your point as I read it is that with the 8% cut in medicare because the Obamacare,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the Medicare Advantage plans could well cut back on wellness programs like Silver Sneakers. Most,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], not all,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], Advantage plans are HMO based and wellness has been a big part of the plan. Your assertion that if the cuts impact portions of the plan that pay for extra benefits such as fitness/healthy living programming, it will cost more and diminish the quality of life for seniors is spot on. I hope this message board doesn't spiral into a ful on debate about Obamacare and stays on point with what you are talking about.
As a senior,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], I don't agree with the concept that the government should fund my exercise program. The government should educate everyone about the importance of exercise, but it is up to the individual to actually do something about it. It is also great that some health insurance plans,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], including Medicare Advantage plans, provide exercise benefits because the cost of those benefits are less than the cost of the healthcare required for the sedentary,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], but again that is a private decision based on apparent cost differentials. It does not require government funding.
I am concerned that if these cuts go through, it will be one more step toward the federal government taking away private sector options. I applaud the fitness element in the Advantage plans- there is no question being healthy and fit prevents doctor and hospital visits, thus lower healthcare costs in general. I like having choices in my healthcare plan and I don't want the federal government telling me where I can go for healthcare, who I can see and eventually having panels decide what procedures I can have. These proposed cuts are the next step to no choices.
Why is everyone so afraid of the government having a say in health care? We already have the insurance companies that tell us what they will and will not pay for even though their premiums are increasing rapidly. When my doctor says I need something,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], I don't think the insurance company should then say we are not going to cover it. I think there needs to be some regulation on the health care companies about what they can charge and what they pay their CEOs which is obscene in my opinion.
My father passed away from cancer and I had a colonoscopy nearly six years ago. At the time you could have one every five years and now it has changed to every seven years. There should be some difference, if you have family health problems that could make a difference.
In other countries that have a better health care ranking than the United States,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], the government sets what is paid and what is not paid including prescriptions. Every working person has something withheld from their paycheck which pays for the health care program.
The only problem with that is it takes the control away from the health care and pharmaceutical companies. Both have very huge lobbies in Washington and pay a lot toward the campaigns of our current legislators,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
It is sad when decisions are made for companies that are very wealthy instead of the citizens that vote the legislators into office. There are lots of changes that need to be made before this country can get our health care program in proper working order to benefit the citizens.
golfergirl writes:
I am concerned that if these cuts go through, it will be one more step toward the federal government taking away private sector options. I applaud the fitness element in the Advantage plans- there is no question being healthy and fit prevents doctor and hospital visits, thus lower healthcare costs in general. I like having choices in my healthcare plan and I don't want the federal government telling me where I can go for healthcare,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who I can see and eventually having panels decide what procedures I can have. These proposed cuts are the next step to no choices.
-----------------------------------
Pay attention. This change has nothing to do with them telling you where to get care,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], what policies to buy or what choices to make.
相关的主题文章：
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
The post has been approved 0 times
|
|
