Just what old people want.
"Private Medicare premium may dip; Average savings forecast at 1%" by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press | September 22, 2010
WASHINGTON — Seniors enrolled in popular private health insurance plans through Medicare will pay a little less on average next year, the Obama administration said yesterday....
The fate of the plans has been a source of concern because the new health care law cuts payments to the private insurance companies that operate them. However, payment rates are frozen for 2011 and significant reductions are still a couple of years away....
Nonetheless, averages are just that. Some seniors will see higher premiums, while others will see a significant drop.
God, I am sick of the lies!
Because of that, advocates encourage Medicare beneficiaries to shop around each year during open enrollment season, which starts Nov. 15.
We DON'T WANT TO DO THAT! We WANT IT TO BE THERE when we NEED IT -- you know, like something a GOOD, DECENT, CARING GOVERNMENT would come up with!
With changes looming, some plans have decided they will no longer participate in the program.
Related: No Choice With Obamacare
Of the seniors whose plans are being discontinued, all but 2,300 have a choice of another Medicare Advantage plan in their area. Private plans tend to market themselves in cities and suburbs where they can build networks of hospitals and doctors. Seniors in rural areas usually have fewer plan options.
Beneficiaries can also opt for traditional Medicare, but they will probably have to buy supplemental insurance to cover deductibles and cost sharing.
Separately, some 300,000 seniors will have to switch prescription drug coverage as a result of administrative changes to winnow down duplicative plans. Private analysts had projected a much larger number, about 3 million....
Tired of lying, self-serving government yet?
You think they are going to take care of you?
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And look what happens if you don't go shopping:
"Medicare’s changing, so shop around; Those who don’t may see drug costs rise sharply" by Ricardo Alonso-Aaldivar, Associated Press | September 24, 2010
WASHINGTON — Millions of seniors face double-digit increases in Medicare prescription premiums next year unless they shop for less expensive coverage.
That isn't as wide-ranging in its coverage, right?
Also see: A Dollar a Day Keeps Obama in Play
Obama's Healthy Lies
How many old people out there like hassles and disruptions? I know I don't.
A new analysis of government data finds that premiums will go up an average of 10 percent among the top plans, which have enrolled about 70 percent of participating seniors. That’s according to Avalere Health, a private research firm.
Marketing for next year’s drug plans gets underway Oct. 1, and seniors will see some of the biggest changes since the Medicare prescription benefit became available in 2006. More than 17 million are enrolled in these private drug plans offered through Medicare.
“People are just going to have to get on top of this and shop around,’’ said Dan Mendelson, president of Avalere.
On the plus side: a new 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs for those who land in the program’s coverage gap, the dreaded “doughnut hole.’’ It’s a major step toward phasing out the gap by 2020, required under the new health care law. Seniors don’t have to take any action to qualify.
Related:
"Currently, seniors must pay out of pocket for drug costs that are more than $2,830 and less than $6,440 a year. The typical beneficiary will get a $250 rebate this year for the coverage gap and would save $700 in 2011 and $3,000 a year by 2020"
And it STILL WON'T COVER the COST TEN YEARS LATER!
So the gap really isn't phased OUT, is it?
Hey, what's one more lie from the newspaper physician, 'eh?
But changes decreed by Medicare to force insurers to winnow down duplicative plans could cause some head-scratching.
More than 3 million seniors will see their plans discontinued, according to Avalere. Medicare says all but 300,000 will be seamlessly switched to another plan, but the Avalere data suggest it may not be that simple.
This agenda-pushing government makes one so angry with its never-ending lies.
Medicare “is really reshaping the market,’’ Mendelson said. “There are a lot of plans that are shutting down.’’
But Obama said I could keep my plan and we would have choice!
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"More plans will cover brand-name drugs in Medicare gap next year" by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press | September 30, 2010
WASHINGTON — Seniors with high drug costs will soon have more options to help them cope with Medicare’s prescription coverage gap....
We DON'T WANT OPTIONS; we WANT COVERAGE we do NOT HAVE to SHOP FOR or WORRY ABOUT every year!
The enhanced coverage comes with a higher monthly premium.
Nonetheless, some seniors may be willing to pay more for greater peace of mind....
It's a SHAKEDOWN!
Medicare’s drug coverage gap is a cost-control idea that has never been popular.
In 2011, the gap will start after Medicare beneficiaries and their insurance plan have spent $2,840 on medications.
After that, seniors are responsible for roughly the next $3,600. That’s the “doughnut hole.’’
Once total spending reaches about $6,440, Medicare’s catastrophic coverage kicks in, and beneficiaries pay only a small amount.
President Obama’s new health care law closes the gap by 2020 through a series of discounts....
Doesn't close it all the way.
Does it start opening back up after?
Medicare will continue to count the full retail price of medications in computing the coverage gap. So that means seniors will pay a lot less to get through the “doughnut hole.’’
By fiddling with the numbers they claim you will be paying less.
Now I've heard it all. You know, last time I checked $3800 was $3800.
I guess deys tinks wees stoo-pids out heres!
About 4 million people now face the gap largely on their own.
That is where this government leaves you unless you are a war-profiteer, Wall Street bank, or Israel.
Medicare’s open enrollment begins Nov. 15, and consumer advocates say the more than 17 million seniors enrolled in private prescription plans should take a particularly close look at their benefits for next year. Millions face double-digit premium hikes unless they shop for a cheaper plan....
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