Medicare & Insurance

The recent identified case of the 2B in Medicare Fraud in 2 years is concerning(See story on the Medicare 'catheter fraud'. If this were a non government company, the upper management would be replaced by now. (But it is only a government program for the elderly, so I guess it is OK that the money is being spent on Fraud instead of on the nations elderly.) The Medicare tax needs to be increased to allow for smarter systems to detect this type of crime. Increasing the tax will also allow for payments to providers to keep up with inflation. Right now, physicians are managing the care of the elderly (whether you are in a managed care plan or not).  Why is AARP not advocating for the elderly in this situation?

Long Term Care insurance has become a Ponzi scheme.  Story after story in the press highlights the issues with these offerings. From non-payment of covered services to the exponential increase of premiums, this insurance has a bad reputation. One recurring theme is the increasing of premiums until the insured can no longer afford the premiums and drop the policy.  Protections don't exist for these products so there are substantial systemic situations that take advantage of those who buy these policies. AARP should NOT tout these policies as a responsible use of your finances.

 I applied for Medicare Part A in 07/2023 as I was turning 65 in October.  Seven months have passed, and I've yet to hear anything from them.  I call them every month; usually what they tell me directly contradicts what I was told the month prior.  At the end of the day, nobody can seem to tell me what the holdup is.  I passed frustrated a few months back.  Any ideas on where to go next?  

My wife and I both use the Ucard to get $10 per month credits for walking. In the past we could get Amazon gift cards at the end of the year and it worked perfectly. Now it seems you have to shop at Walmart and the experience has been horrifying. The items we scan all show not eligible at our Walmart. I went online to see what is eligible and it's all junk food we don't eat. I feel this program is useless to us now and all incentive is gone. Time to shop for another plan.

The US is the laughingstock of the developed world for our instance healthcare system.  It’s clear Medicare is carefully constructed to maximize profits/revenue for insurance companies and drug distribution companies.  If AARP really wants to help, lobby for a decent national healthcare system like, among many others Canada.  specifically, the AARP “endorsed” UHC plan has no straightforward way to disenroll and stop them stealing my money. Decent guidance on how to contest Medicare part b premiums would also be useful.

In order to help the old spouse get premium free Medicare Part A, who has less than 40 work credit, the young spouse earning more than 40 work credit must reach 62. Is it correct? Thank you for your answer.

Article in LA Times: "Medicare Advantage was meant to curb federal healthcare spending. It's costing MORE instead." And another article from the FCC: "Is the Biden Administation Proposing Cuts to Medicare Advantage?" All of this is very disturbing.  I rely on the Medicare Advantage plans.  Transportation, among others, from the plan are indispensable. How do we Keep the Medicare Advantage plans in place? Sincerely,Karin Wakefield

 I read an article on the Microsoft Start site that said MA had some minor changes last year, but CMS would be coming out with changes to MA plans in a couple months. The changes sound like increases in premium and eliminating approx 200 coverage items. Why are we not hearing of the changes in any of the media? This sounds like a biden administration idea to cut government costs. MA plans have been saving costs in general. What is going on? Thanks

My wife and I have United health care supplements and she also has part D prescriptions and traditional medicare. The part D prescription plan went from $64.40 to $80.60 on January 1, no warning about this and I see that from 2024 to2029 these plans can't increase more than 6%, this is pure price gouging at its best to hit an increase by that much. This is about the same as insider trading.  I am thinking of doing away with AARP as they always say they are for the seniors but this proves they go along with price gouging and insider trading, I guess they are right up there with the Justice dept  and FBI with unfair practices. Too bad I always thought AARP United Healthcare was the way to go.

Married female 62 need good medical insurance at a possible low monthly fee.Husband resigned from work an lost our insurance. He is 73. Our total income is around $ 24,000.00a year gross. Where can I get reasonably priced medical insurance on a female 62, for say 3 years till I turn 65 for medicare?Thank you.

 i had heard rumors in December about Humana dropping coverages in My upstate NY area, but they denied it.  So today ( January 13th 2024) 12 days after starting the 2024 plan, I get a letter stating as of July 1st 2024, Hospital coverage for My hospital and all its affiliated hospitals and services will be terminated.  Great. They knew all along.  Can I join another Medicare Advantage plan instead now, or am I out of luck. Doesn't seem right.  Humana knew about this and waited to shaft Us.

Is anyone else having problems with customer service with insurance underwritten by Wellmed? I have a prescription tier 4, although I have no idea why it's categorized as such. My previous insurance with AARP Advantage covered 90 day prescriptions I changed to one underwritten by Wellmed. They now limit me to 30 days eventhough my doctor prescribes 90 days. The problem is I travel out of the country for 30 - 90 days. I have talked to customer service but the most they are willing to do is once a year 30 day override. I'm on  my own for anything over 60 days. There is no margin for error to fill the prescription and, God knows, Optum Rx has trouble delivering prescriptions on time. 

   KFF.org - 12/12/2023 -  The New Help for Medicare Beneficiaries with High Drug Costs That Few Seem to Know About  This is a nice Christmas present for those who take these extremely expensive drugs. From the link:Beginning in 2024, people enrolled in Part D plans will no longer be required to pay 5% coinsurance after they reach the catastrophic threshold. Eliminating this 5% coinsurance requirement means that in 2024, Part D enrollees will pay no more than about $3,300 for all brand-name drugs they take – a change KFF estimates will help well over 1 million Medicare beneficiaries. And starting in 2025, out-of-pocket drug spending will be capped at a lower amount, $2,000 (indexed annually for growth in Part D costs.)