Wall Street has fallen out of love with big insurers that depend heavily on the federal government’s overpayments to the private Medicare replacement plans they market, deceptively, under the name, “Medicare Advantage.” I’ll explain below. But first, thank you if you reached out to your members of Congress and the Biden administration last week as I suggested to demand an end to the ongoing looting by those companies of the Medicare Trust Fund.
So happy to see this finally happening - as you so eloquently discuss, Medicare Advantage is a massive sinkhole that needs to be plugged. My 30+ years in the industry, particularly a few looking at Medicare Risk Adjustment finagling, left me with absolutely no illusions.
thankyou as always Wendell Potter. Your expertise is invaluable for all of us against these greedy corporations that seem to care only for profits not real health care.
More evidence to prove to the American People that the reality of Medicare (dis) Advantage is that its modus operandi is NOT the health and welfare of American Senior Citizens; rather it is a monstrous profit driven machine devoid of any social responsibility and willing to deny patients of the care they worked all of their lives to be able to live with dignity, in a system that is allegedly based on the fundamental value and Human Right of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. We talk the talk, but we do not walk the talk. Not only are patients being denied vital care, they find that obtaining approval for critical tests are delayed, or being able to see a specialist in a timely manner is also delayed. Privatizing Healthcare is another “destined to fail” proposition along with privatized correctional facilities and detention centers, the failure of the privatized USPostal System and its postmaster general whose seemingly lack of ethics and corruption running the USPS into the ground. Lest I fail to mention that another privatized sector of contracted employees hired into the NSA, the Defense Department, et.al. intelligence agencies who have exposed national security secrets like the WikiLeaks; Edward Snowden’s actions, and so forth. It is not the inefficiencies of Government agencies per se, but these corrupt for-profit corporations and their greedy executive’s primary existence is making money at the expense American taxpayers, violating laws and human rights. How are we supposed to feel safe and security when our blood, sweat and tears of hard work and paying taxes is entrusted to many corporations that have long history of taking advantage of profiting off of the Government system that is SUPPOSED to REPRESENT WE THE PEOPLE. When are we going to address these problems rather than enabling corporate Media, unscrupulous politicians and other bad actors to sweep these significant shortcomings under the carpet time and time again.
I contacted the White House, my House Representative and Senator, as you suggested. I also forwarded your newsletter to several friends for their information. I have traditional Medicare with a supplement and want that type of coverage to continue to be available. Thank you for covering this important news and letting people know what is going on.
I think we all forget what health plans are by their very definition, a plan to bring you health. If this was so then we would see some demonstrable improvements from this boondoggle of the sector. Not so, it’s costing more and we are still, by far, the sickest of all industrialized societies. Bad job, MA, and the rest of of our so-called health insurance.
I think we all forget what health plans are by their very definition, a plan to bring you health. If this was so then we would see some demonstrable improvements from this boondoggle of the sector. Not so, it’s costing more and we are still, by far, the sickest of all industrialized societies. Bad job, MA, and the rest of of our so-called health insurance.
So happy to see this finally happening - as you so eloquently discuss, Medicare Advantage is a massive sinkhole that needs to be plugged. My 30+ years in the industry, particularly a few looking at Medicare Risk Adjustment finagling, left me with absolutely no illusions.
thankyou as always Wendell Potter. Your expertise is invaluable for all of us against these greedy corporations that seem to care only for profits not real health care.
More evidence to prove to the American People that the reality of Medicare (dis) Advantage is that its modus operandi is NOT the health and welfare of American Senior Citizens; rather it is a monstrous profit driven machine devoid of any social responsibility and willing to deny patients of the care they worked all of their lives to be able to live with dignity, in a system that is allegedly based on the fundamental value and Human Right of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. We talk the talk, but we do not walk the talk. Not only are patients being denied vital care, they find that obtaining approval for critical tests are delayed, or being able to see a specialist in a timely manner is also delayed. Privatizing Healthcare is another “destined to fail” proposition along with privatized correctional facilities and detention centers, the failure of the privatized USPostal System and its postmaster general whose seemingly lack of ethics and corruption running the USPS into the ground. Lest I fail to mention that another privatized sector of contracted employees hired into the NSA, the Defense Department, et.al. intelligence agencies who have exposed national security secrets like the WikiLeaks; Edward Snowden’s actions, and so forth. It is not the inefficiencies of Government agencies per se, but these corrupt for-profit corporations and their greedy executive’s primary existence is making money at the expense American taxpayers, violating laws and human rights. How are we supposed to feel safe and security when our blood, sweat and tears of hard work and paying taxes is entrusted to many corporations that have long history of taking advantage of profiting off of the Government system that is SUPPOSED to REPRESENT WE THE PEOPLE. When are we going to address these problems rather than enabling corporate Media, unscrupulous politicians and other bad actors to sweep these significant shortcomings under the carpet time and time again.
Thanks so much for your incredible eye on the ball. We are indebted to you and so appreciative.
Expect these “advantage” plans to squeeze both the enrollees and providers to increase their bottom line.
I contacted the White House, my House Representative and Senator, as you suggested. I also forwarded your newsletter to several friends for their information. I have traditional Medicare with a supplement and want that type of coverage to continue to be available. Thank you for covering this important news and letting people know what is going on.
Thank you Mr. Potter for the work you have been doing since you left Cigna. I wish more Americans can hear you. Are you blocked from Cable news ?
One of the best analysis of the impact of CMS’s recent decision on 3.7percent rate hike.
Good news. Next steps: single-payer healthcare for all!
Great news! Enough is enough! It is time to get profit out of our healthcare system.
I think we all forget what health plans are by their very definition, a plan to bring you health. If this was so then we would see some demonstrable improvements from this boondoggle of the sector. Not so, it’s costing more and we are still, by far, the sickest of all industrialized societies. Bad job, MA, and the rest of of our so-called health insurance.
It works! Just a few minutes of your time x all of us getting robbed my MA produced results 🎇🎆🎇🎆
I think we all forget what health plans are by their very definition, a plan to bring you health. If this was so then we would see some demonstrable improvements from this boondoggle of the sector. Not so, it’s costing more and we are still, by far, the sickest of all industrialized societies. Bad job, MA, and the rest of of our so-called health insurance.
Well done Wendell and THANK YOU for the work you do!