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For sure, the upfront costs of Medicare Advantage are lower than the upfront costs of traditional Medicare, which requires people to have supplemental coverage to protect themselves from high out-of-pocket costs. The big concern with Medicare Advantage plans is that some of them inappropriately delay and deny critical care, charge unaffordable copays that prevent people from getting care, and have networks with poor quality providers. You might be fortunate enough not to need a lot of care or to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that does a decent job of getting you the care you need at the moment. Be aware that could change at any time. There's also no doubt that the for-profit Medicare Advantage plans will put the needs of their shareholders first. And, in Medicare Advantage, maximizing profits comes in large part from minimizing care.

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Fantastic article and such a great resource! It blows my mind (and scares the hell out of me now that I am having to make decisions like this) that I have to spend one second of my life as I approach old age making sure our sociopathic, predatory, for-profit medical system doesn't make my life a nightmare! So glad to have become aware of Wendell Potter and all the resources he shares like Diane's great article here!

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Thank you for your articles. Most people are not aware of the pitfalls of Medicare Advantage. My provider notified me that it is now a direct contracting entity. I had no choice in the matter. I worry that this will compromise my medical care.

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Too many inaccuracies in this very misleading article to list here. While some of the points are valid, a total whitewashing of Medicare Avantage plans is misguided and a poor example of investigative journalism meant to inform the reader. Medicare eligible individuals all have different needs and budgets, see various doctors and use different prescriptions. Oftentimes, MA plans can work the best for many of them, even with some of their shortfalls.

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Excellent article, it really explains the difference. As a retired nurse case manager I’d like to add that traveling with an Advantage plan is tricky. Yes there are out of area benefits but you have to be able to get yourself back home (think stroke now with limited mobility or new oxygen needs). Buyer beware

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I do not agree with this article. The benefits of using Medicare Advantage plans here in Puerto Rico far outweigh using Medicare alone. For some reason MA coverage here exceeds what you get in the states. Lower treatment costs help this to be so.

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