Profile
Photos
Comments
paper this morning about how Congress is poised to pass legislature
that would yank billions of dollars from Medicare Advantage plans run
by HMOs. I am on one of
these plans and am constantly being 'bribed' to stay with this one
company while other companies send me other enticements to switch to
them. I either get, or am offered, a dozen free meals a month, gym
memberships. The companies spend billions to get customers so there is
the possibility that if Congress yanks money from them they won't throw
away or waste money and instead spend it where it is needed.
An
example of how they waste money, that could be better spent on aiding
someone who has health problems, was the Christmas party they gave for
the residents where I live. It was given by an HMO company hoping to
get business by serving a salad, rolls, veal Marsala, baked ziti and cheesecake. Of the 82 folks who attended and got a free meal 63 of
them belong to another HMO and won't leave because of cheesecake. Most
people choose a Medicare Advantage plan because of convenience, the
doctors, the individual co-pays and costs and what the plan offers.
This particular company that held the free dinner holds many events a
year, at least 1-2 a month, for the residents here whether they belong
to the HMO or not. Multiply this by the many other senior residences in
Fort Lauderdale and they
are spending a bucket of money. Does a senior citizen have to belong to
a 'silver sneakers' gym? Oh it might make them feel better and many
will go just because it is free but they go for the snacks served, not
to work out! LOL
To
make a big deal of "Medicare Advantage program stands to lose billions
if national medical overhaul passes" is a sham, a scare tactic. We need
a doctor to give us an EKG not veal marsala!!!
The
party, the decorations, the food, the personal and the beverages were
all great but the money spent could have insured a few people. (By the
way for those who want to know--I didn't go--I don't go to these
affairs as I feel they are unnecessary expenses only hoping to put more
money in the pockets of the insurance companies by recruiting clients
with food--you can't buy me that cheap! LOL)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS