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Date Posted: 07:21:58 06/29/09 Mon
Author: Shirley
Subject: Re: I have to wonder
In reply to: Paul Davis 's message, "I have to wonder" on 10:40:46 06/26/09 Fri

I've had problems getting on for the past week but here are my thoughts.

SS is an example of a "public plan". There's an abundance of false information being put forth. Under SS recipients can choose their own doctor and even a specialist. When private insurance managed to syphon off Medicare recipients, their plans limited the choice of doctors. Not only that but Medicare is paying private insurance plans MORE than what traditional costs would be under Medicare. That's Medicare Advantage and it's a rip off.

Medicare administrative costs are 3% vx. 9-20%. Doctors and hospitals are required to submit their billing electoronically, far more efficient. Medicare doesn't have to pay for advertising, marketing, CEO fees, dividends. In other words, private insurance is profit driven and it cherry picks who they'll insure--healthy vs. those with health issues.

As an example, we have AARP as our supplemental insurance. No one is denied coverage. Prior to passage of the Prescription Drug Plan, AARP negotiated drug prices through bulk purchases much as the VA gets and recipients got a discount on purchases. A small annual membership fee ($15-20) bought their monthly bulletims, a nagazine and discounts on a variety of products from eye glasses to travel.

If a proceedure is approved by Medicare (and most are), there's a set price on what it will pay and there's a small out of pocket expense. That's where AARP comes in and pays the difference, including the deductible.

Private insurers are fighting a public plan tooth and nail because it will force them to reign in their exhorbitant costs and the ability to deny coverage to those who are health risks.

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