Myths on this forum

[OneEyedDiva]

Our entire Health Care System is driven more by Profits than patient care. We pay twice as much for health care than most other nations, and rank way down the list in terms of overall value for those dollars. I look forward to the day when/if our people wake up and demand a universal system similar to those available in other nations. The increase in taxes to support such a system would be a fraction of what we now pay to the various insurance companies, and providers.

If you look up the highest paying careers in the U.S., the majority of the top 25 are in the "Health Care Industry". We used to have a Medical Profession, but in recent years that has become known has the HC Industry....and the Primary Goal of Any industry is to make money.

https://www.investopedia.com/person...com/personal-finance/top-highest-paying-jobs/

Do you remember how ugly people got during the time the Affordable Care Act was presented? I don't understand why some Americans wouldn't want their fellow citizens to have access to healthcare as they do. It's the "I got mine, damn if you get yours mentality". I'd gladly pay more in taxes if it meant my fellow Americans wouldn't have to watch family members die, including their children, because they do not have insurance, thus access to quality healthcare.

 

[J.B Books]

Do you remember how ugly people got during the time the Affordable Care Act was presented? I don't understand why some Americans wouldn't want their fellow citizens to have access to healthcare as they do. It's the "I got mine, damn if you get yours mentality". I'd gladly pay more in taxes if it meant my fellow Americans wouldn't have to watch family members die, including their children, because they do not have insurance, thus access to quality healthcare.

I absolutely think that we should take of of those people that don't have access to health care.
I think the number was about 35 million people. They should be taken care of.
The problem I have is forcing the other 240 million people to change THEIR healthcare to do it, AND taxing the millions of other people that just don't want health care by choice. A 100% government run healthcare system will be very unwieldy to say the least.

 

[Lewkat]

Every American citizen should have complete access to first rate health care. The Cleveland Clinic plan is an ideal one and only a few health systems are following it. I know Trump took a long hard look at this, but never got around to taking it further. I would hope this present administration does. It is a far better system than the ACA.

 

[Liberty]

But on the other side of it, if my doctor orders an MRI today, I am getting it today or tomorrow and the results are posted, on line, for me to read later that day, or the next. Unlike in the UK where you may have to wait for weeks or months to get the MRI, and weeks or months to get the results.

I guess I prefer to pay more for immediate care.

So true Aneeda...have a friend in Vancouver, BC that waited over a year for an obdominal hernia operation "after she was approved for the surgery".
She bled out a lot of blood and had a cancerous growth on her uterus and so much pain and hurt before she actually got in to have the op. Felt so bad for her. Couldn't believe that could happen. Non life threatening issues can become life threatening issues if they are postponed long enough. We're certainly content to pay for our medicare and medigap supplement!

 

[debrakay]

I keep hearing the statement made a few years ago ringing in my ears, "We have to pass it, to find out what is in it."

My husband and I came off my employer group health plan effective 1/1/2021 and have Medicare A & B and a supplement for the rest. I had a tooth ache, went to a new dentist that takes the supplement, and found out the dental coverage has a $500 annual limit. The root canal and the 7 new crowns I need to keep my teeth for the rest of my life will cost me about $6,500 out of pocket. My husband has sever RA and was on a drug for years which costs approximately $1000 per shot, per week. He has been off this medication since January 1st because there is no generic brand and we do not have $4K to $5K a month to spend on this drug. He had to make an appointment with a RA specialist to get any new drug that we can afford and the specialist is unable to see him until June. I have been telling the children that all of their inheritance will be going to pay medical bills. So much for the first 2 months of retirement insurance!

 

[Nosy Bee-54]

I personally do not trust the government to run socialized medicine. Our current system does need improvements no doubt.
The government should not run every aspect of our lives. Too much control.
I have friends that in Canada and they have their own Government health system.
One lady drives across the boarder into upstate NY to give birth. She puts it on a credit card and goes back.
Another friend pays for a concierge doctor even though he can use the health system because he gets better care and does not have to wait for a long time to see a doctor.
If we in the U.S. go to a government run health care system you will wait six months plus to get a joint replacement.
The government can't run anything without excess waste of money, red tape, etc.
Be careful what you wish for.

This reminds me of Tea Partiers protesting Obamacare back in 2009/10. The irony was YUGE: "No to government run health care BUT keep your hands off my Medicare."

 

[Giantsfan1954]

Reading some messages I have discovered many myths about Medicare and coverage. Here are some facts.

Medicare will not cover routine Vision or Dental.

Joe Namath was stretching the truth.

ANY doctor can see you if you have Medicare, some will charge an excess fee to do so. Some may choose not to.

Medicare Supplement and Medicare Gap insurance are the same thing and pay AFTER Medicare. So they only cover what Medicare covers.

Medicare Advantage Plans pay in leu of Medicare- If you have an Advantage plan you have made a conscious decision to get your benefits from the Insurance company. Not the Government.

You don't loose Medicare if you have an Advantage plan. You still pay your Part B. YOU MUST HAVE PART A AND PART B TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE PLAN. Medicare will take your part B and send it to the insurance company. This is why many areas have Zero premium plans. Your bills will be going to the Insurance company. NOT Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans have more benefits then Original Medicare. Many plans cover some dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, over the counter drugs, meals delivered, rides to and from the doctor and much more. THERE's NOTHING NEW ABOUT THIS. Plans have been covering that for years, sorry Mr. Namath.

Many CAN change plans AFTER December, 7th.... Not a misprint.

For a free everything plan you need to have both Medicare AND Medicaid and the plan needs to be available in your area.

There are No one size fits all plans out there. Supplement or Advantage Plan, they both have strong points.

By law, Medicare Advantage plans HAVE TO cover everything Medicare covers. Period.

All Medicare Advantage plan are deemed by Medicare to be equal to or better then Original Medicare.

If your doctor is part of a hospital system they probably accepting advantage plans already.

Some companies give more benefits as an extra with Medicare Supplements, such as gym memberships or dental discount plan.

Pretty sure if you have Medicare and Medicaid most of what Joe is speaking about is true.

 

[mathjak107]

While advantage plans have to cover what Medicare does you cannot not prove in your specific case the plan of action medicare would have approved as you don’t have Medicare and the insurer knows this and they are in the drivers seat.. they can deny certain treatments with no problems

 

[Liberty]

I keep hearing the statement made a few years ago ringing in my ears, "We have to pass it, to find out what is in it."

My husband and I came off my employer group health plan effective 1/1/2021 and have Medicare A & B and a supplement for the rest. I had a tooth ache, went to a new dentist that takes the supplement, and found out the dental coverage has a $500 annual limit. The root canal and the 7 new crowns I need to keep my teeth for the rest of my life will cost me about $6,500 out of pocket. My husband has sever RA and was on a drug for years which costs approximately $1000 per shot, per week. He has been off this medication since January 1st because there is no generic brand and we do not have $4K to $5K a month to spend on this drug. He had to make an appointment with a RA specialist to get any new drug that we can afford and the specialist is unable to see him until June. I have been telling the children that all of their inheritance will be going to pay medical bills. So much for the first 2 months of retirement insurance!

Ask your doctor to talk to the maker of the drug...or you talk to them. I have a couple friends that had atrociously expensive drugs and both now get them free. The thing is you have to speak up and to the drug maker to tell them you can't afford the drug.

 

[Richard9212]

Reading some messages I have discovered many myths about Medicare and coverage. Here are some facts.

Medicare will not cover routine Vision or Dental.

Joe Namath was stretching the truth.

ANY doctor can see you if you have Medicare, some will charge an excess fee to do so. Some may choose not to.

Medicare Supplement and Medicare Gap insurance are the same thing and pay AFTER Medicare. So they only cover what Medicare covers.

Medicare Advantage Plans pay in leu of Medicare- If you have an Advantage plan you have made a conscious decision to get your benefits from the Insurance company. Not the Government.

You don't loose Medicare if you have an Advantage plan. You still pay your Part B. YOU MUST HAVE PART A AND PART B TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE PLAN. Medicare will take your part B and send it to the insurance company. This is why many areas have Zero premium plans. Your bills will be going to the Insurance company. NOT Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans have more benefits then Original Medicare. Many plans cover some dental, vision, hearing, gym memberships, over the counter drugs, meals delivered, rides to and from the doctor and much more. THERE's NOTHING NEW ABOUT THIS. Plans have been covering that for years, sorry Mr. Namath.

Many CAN change plans AFTER December, 7th.... Not a misprint.

For a free everything plan you need to have both Medicare AND Medicaid and the plan needs to be available in your area.

There are No one size fits all plans out there. Supplement or Advantage Plan, they both have strong points.

By law, Medicare Advantage plans HAVE TO cover everything Medicare covers. Period.

All Medicare Advantage plan are deemed by Medicare to be equal to or better then Original Medicare.

If your doctor is part of a hospital system they probably accepting advantage plans already.

Some companies give more benefits as an extra with Medicare Supplements, such as gym memberships or dental discount plan.

 

[Richard9212]

While advantage plans have to cover what Medicare does you cannot not prove in your specific case the plan of action medicare would have approved as you don’t have Medicare and the insurer knows this and they are in the drivers seat.. they can deny certain treatments with no problems

Good post
...answered a lot of my questions.
Thanks