8 Comments
Jul 10Liked by Arthur Goldstein

Loved this post and will circulate it. Have to quibble on this point “... some states make it very tough to get back into real Medicare,” which I am sure is not what you meant to say. You will always have your Medicare Part B as long as you pay premiums, and needless to say you’ll always have Part A if you have contributed to the system for 40 quarters. The “tough” part for people in a lot of states is getting the supplemental insurance (Medigap) to cover what Parts A and B don’t cover (deductibles, copays, coinsurances). So when you say “real” Medicare, you are referring to Traditional (or Original) Medicare. That basic coverage always needs supplemental coverage of some kind or you’ll go bankrupt if you’re really sick. You get that extra coverage by purchasing a Medigap (which is like our Senior Care) or an Advantage plan (like our HIP VIP Premier HMO). In either situation, you still have your Traditional/Original Medicare at the core of your coverage.

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Jul 10·edited Jul 10Author

Yes, you're absolutely correct. That's mentioned in a linked Times article. The implication is that it's untenable to be stuck with the 20% with major issues. Sorry I failed to make that clearer. And thanks for your kind words.

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Jul 10Liked by Arthur Goldstein

Westchester/Putnam/Rockland/Dutchess readers ... please get politically active this summer. Our Republican congressperson (Dist 17) CANNOT FIX ANY OF THIS. (I’m not sure any Dem can either, but at least they’re still more interested in human beings.)

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Depending on the state, an insurer can underwrite the Medicare supplement applicant and deny coverage. At a RTC meeting Mulgrew’s staff said under the Affordable Care Act Medicare supplement insurance could not be denied. That was not true and should have been corrected. It was not.

Unrelated, why isn’t Bernie Sanders vocally speaking against Medicare Advantage when he wants Medicare for all.

Very disappointing.

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Bernie is pushing for a total solution. With the makeup of Congress, that won't fly, and nor will an attack on Advantage. For my money, he's doing God's work. As for Mulgrew, well, just another day for him and his cult.

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I think that Senator Sanders speaking out about the abuses of Medicare Advantage would highlight the problem to the public and especially seniors.

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Mulgrew’s big crime: contributing to the rape of traditional Medicare and proud of it. Look where we got out 600m a year.

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Unconscionable.

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