So with the new year, all of our medical co pays reset, and.....

[geekette]

Nicely done. Now I can say, check the archives. People without power can't change it, only get to vote on what is put in front of them. Go back to before deficit-busting items were up for vote and see who said what.

It does still come up but can't be front of mind because what's done is done and other issues are before them.

 

[Beach57]

I think another problem is that the Government eats about $5,000 per year on each Medicare patient...

George

The overseers of Medicare are poor gatekeepers. They do not catch as much fraud as they should. That, is in fact, part of the waste problem.
Many providers knowing and unknowingly bill for noncovered services and Medicare pays. Historically, Medicare has relied on the knowledge and integrity of providers regarding billing. I wish more whistleblowers would come forward to help rectify this.

 

[geekette]

The overseers of Medicare are poor gatekeepers. They do not catch as much fraud as they should. That, is in fact, part of the waste problem.
Many providers knowing and unknowingly bill for noncovered services and Medicare pays. Historically, Medicare has relied on the knowledge and integrity of providers regarding billing. I wish more whistleblowers would come forward to help rectify this.

Sounds like you might be a whistleblower, having knowledge of providers perpetrating fraud.

 

[Rolltydr]

Nicely done. Now I can say, check the archives. People without power can't change it, only get to vote on what is put in front of them. Go back to before deficit-busting items were up for vote and see who said what.

It does still come up but can't be front of mind because what's done is done and other issues are before them.

I take your point, but politicians are free to talk about everything and anything that they feel is important. They are constantly running for election and re-election now so they should be telling us what they believe.

I’m not trying to argue with you and I truly have no idea if national budget deficits are good, bad or if they matter at all. Our economy has survived and even thrived with high deficits, low deficits, and even with surpluses. Remember the 90’s? I guess I’m just pointing out the hypocrisy of politicians which may be breaking the forum rules so this will be my last post in this regard. I think we both agree on the need for everyone to have access to affordable and necessary healthcare.

 

[geekette]

I take your point, but politicians are free to talk about everything and anything that they feel is important. They are constantly running for election and re-election now so they should be telling us what they believe.

No, we aren't arguing. I agree anyone can talk about anything, but would you squander your free media on something you can't change or isn't topic of the day? I am a frequent emailer to my elected reps, they will indeed answer every contact. Senators serve 6 years, mine are not up for re-election.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

For those wondering, the answer is YES, America is headed towards some sort of socialized medicine. We have it terrible here compared with Canada, Europe, etc. The more Americans are saddled with bankruptcy-creating medical bills, the more they want taxpayer-subsidized medical care. But there is one thing to remember: Congress. Most likely, a Democrat will be elected president, whether Former VP Biden or Senator Sanders. Let's say Senator Sanders wins. He will propose his "Medicare For All" to essentially make healthcare paid by all. The House will take it up and vote on it. If it makes 60%, then it will go to the Senate to be voted on. If it makes it to 60%, it will be sent to the president for final approval. The upside to that is no more medical bills, which will be a HUGE relief for cancer sufferers (imagine free chemo and radiation and immunotherapy). The downside is tens of thousands of insurance agents and management and support staff will be laid off, lots of properties owned by insurance companies will be vacated.

As a licensed health insurance agent in FL/NC/WA, I think expanding Medicare to everyone is the best option. They would get what senior citizens now get, $150/month Parts A & B with deductible, and Part-D under $50/month. They could select a Supplement or MAPD for better coverage from private insurers. I think Americans as a whole would LOVE to get insurance for less than $200/month/person, not including copays/coinsurance with little or no deductibles! Those currently under Medicare will keep their plans unless they choose to keep their plan, which is current law.

TS

 

[bbodb1]

So who is paying the bill - and how will they pay it?

 

[alohakevin]

Thank you and I respect yours, also. I do have a couple questions for you since you have a good working knowledge of the subject.

You say you are getting on in age. Do you mind me asking if you are on Medicare yet? If so, why would you be opposed to expanding Medicare to all who want it? As I stated above, at this point, I’m not all in for a single payer system for everyone so let’s assume we continue with the current public/private system with some tweaks. It seems that most people like their Medicare and it is one of the most popular government programs. So, why limit it to those over 65?


Harry

Private insurance pays the freight. Medicare approved pricing is basically subsidized by the costs charged employer coverage and private coverage.

 

[alohakevin]

This would take some serious study to determine the steps, but theoretically, people that wanted to opt in to Medicare would pay increased Medicare payroll tax in lieu of insurance premiums. This could be phased in by gradually lowering the qualification age for Medicare, while at the same time increasing the Medicare tax. It seems to me that the resulting Medicare tax could be less, in some cases much less, than what many individuals now pay for health insurance premiums.

This is a super simplification of a complex problem but too many other countries provide their citizens with access to healthcare for it not to be feasible, imho.




Harry

Part B Medicare currently has a premium of 144.60/ mo with a 186.00 (?) deductible for 2020. This covers 80% of costs under part B remaining 20% is your responsibility.

 

[Rolltydr]

Private insurance pays the freight. Medicare approved pricing is basically subsidized by the costs charged employer coverage and private coverage.

I think you replied to the wrong post.

 

[Rolltydr]

Part B Medicare currently has a premium of 144.60/ mo with a 186.00 (?) deductible for 2020. This covers 80% of costs under part B remaining 20% is your responsibility.

I think you replied to the wrong post again.

 

[bogey21]

As a licensed health insurance agent in FL/NC/WA, I think expanding Medicare to everyone is the best option.

I disagree. Once Medicare for all is implemented Congress will react to its cost to the Government and will decrease what they pay Doctors. Many Doctors will then stop taking Medicare patients due to the low Reimbursement Rates and the paperwork required. If many Doctors gravitate to a Boutique model;i.e. cash for services. there will be longer and longer waits for appointments and procedures for all but those who can pay cash or have opted for some other form of Insurance assuming Insurance is not outlawed...

George

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

When greedy healthcare companies like drug makers, equipment makers, and medical facilities charging more and more, while CEOs rake in tens of millions per year, Americans want to strip Capitalism out of healthcare. Countless stories of cancer patients and diabetics, as well as those who have severe allergic reactions, forgoing treatment for food, leading to their deaths. Insurance becoming way too expensive thanks to greedy CEOs. Our POS president allowing crappy insurance plans like MediShare to scam Americans (their fine print allows them to deny you any care), and floating the idea of allowing all insurance to once again deny coverage to pre-existing conditions.

Just like most Americans shrug when they sign up for HMOs - knowing it will save them money but they lose some choice - Americans will shrug when American healthcare goes single-payer. It's like, if Americans are asked whether they want to pay $800/person for insurance with a several thousand dollar deductible and fair copays, or $200/month/person "Medicare For All" with no deductibles and low copays, they will go for the M4A plan.

TS

 

[bogey21]

It's like, if Americans are asked whether they want to pay $800/person for insurance with a several thousand dollar deductible and fair copays, or $200/month/person "Medicare For All" with no deductibles and low copays, they will go for the M4A plan.

I'm sure most everyone would go for what you describe. But guess what? What you describe will never happen...

George

 

[VacationForever]

When greedy healthcare companies like drug makers, equipment makers, and medical facilities charging more and more, while CEOs rake in tens of millions per year, Americans want to strip Capitalism out of healthcare. Countless stories of cancer patients and diabetics, as well as those who have severe allergic reactions, forgoing treatment for food, leading to their deaths. Insurance becoming way too expensive thanks to greedy CEOs. Our POS president allowing crappy insurance plans like MediShare to scam Americans (their fine print allows them to deny you any care), and floating the idea of allowing all insurance to once again deny coverage to pre-existing conditions.

Just like most Americans shrug when they sign up for HMOs - knowing it will save them money but they lose some choice - Americans will shrug when American healthcare goes single-payer. It's like, if Americans are asked whether they want to pay $800/person for insurance with a several thousand dollar deductible and fair copays, or $200/month/person "Medicare For All" with no deductibles and low copays, they will go for the M4A plan.

TS

I want to pay $200 per month per person too. But wait!!!! Who is going to pay for the true cost, which the estimate is $13.5 trillion to $47.6 trillion over a 10-year period? Medicare For All as you describe is just not going to happen.

Personally I would like to pay the true Medicare cost, without any subsidies, for those under 65. It will still be far cheaper than current private insurance.

 

[bbodb1]

Fixing the healthcare system is going to require removing the insurance sector from the health care process while finding ways to fairly reward companies for R&D efforts so new drugs and procedures can still be developed.

 

[Rolltydr]

I'm sure most everyone would go for what you describe. But guess what? What you describe will never happen...

George

Never is a really long time.


Harry

 

[bogey21]

Never is a really long time.

How about not in my lifetime...

George