This video excerpt highlights a critical issue within the U.S. healthcare system, specifically contrasting traditional Medicare with Medicare Advantage. The speaker argues that while government waste and fraud are often discussed, corporate waste, fraud, and profiteering are frequently ignored, particularly in the context of Medicare Advantage plans. These private, for-profit plans are accused of taking public taxpayer dollars, making beneficiaries appear sicker to increase payments ("upcoding"), denying necessary care, and pocketing billions of dollars in profits instead of providing healthcare. The proposed "No Upcode Act" aims to recover these funds and reinvest them in traditional Medicare to improve care and save taxpayer money.

Medicare advisor/consultants. Azul recommended.

Extreme, but one way to get out of medicare advantage plan is to move to new area with different providers (new state?). You get to reapply and select different plan WITHOUT medical underwriting questions.

• 😡 Medicare Advantage plans are called "medicare managed care" because they take you off original medicare and put you into a private insurance carrier's managed care plan.
• 💰 Medicare pays a managed care plan (Medicare Advantage company) to take responsibility for your medical claims, which can be upwards of about a thousand dollars a month per member.
• 😷 Medicare Advantage plans have pre-authorizations and referrals, which can cause wait times of weeks or months for procedures and specialist appointments.
• 🌐 With original Medicare, you can go to any doctor or hospital anywhere in the country without needing authorization, whereas Medicare Advantage plans have limited networks.
• 💵 Original Medicare with a supplement is generally less expensive than a Medicare Advantage plan in terms of out-of-pocket costs.
• 🔄 Switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare supplement plan may require medical underwriting in most states, while the reverse is possible during Medicare open enrollment.
• 👍 Original Medicare provides more control and autonomy over healthcare decisions, as there is no interaction with insurance companies, pre-authorizations, or referrals.
• 📚 The speaker, Keith Armbruck, is the founder of Medicare on Video and focuses solely on selling Medicare supplements because he believes in their effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

• 💡 Traditional Medicare allows you to choose your own doctors and hospitals, but it only covers about 80% of costs, so many people also purchase a Medigap or Medicare supplement insurance plan to cover the remaining 20%.
• 💡 Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits and often come with low or zero premiums. They may offer additional benefits like dental, vision, or hearing services, but they work with a set network of providers, and your doctor or hospital may or may not accept the plan.
• 💡 Medicare Advantage plans are not necessarily bad, but they may not be suitable for everyone. The decision between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage should be based on individual needs and the availability of plans in your area.
• 💡 Switching back and forth between Medicare Advantage plans and traditional Medicare with a Medigap plan may not be possible in most states. There is usually a limited open enrollment period to purchase a Medigap plan without medical underwriting.
• 💡 After the initial open enrollment period, insurance companies can ask health questions and consider pre-existing conditions when deciding whether to approve your application for a Medigap plan.
• 💡 Dropping a Medicare Advantage plan to return to traditional Medicare is possible during the annual election period, but remember that traditional Medicare only covers 80% of costs. If you want coverage for the remaining 20%, you'll generally need a Medigap plan, which may require medical underwriting.
• 💡 There are two types of trial rights that can allow you to purchase a Medigap plan without medical underwriting: one for people who initially enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and have had it for less than 12 months, and another for those who had a Medicare Supplement Plan and switched to a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time.
• 💡 It's important to be well-informed and understand your options before making Medicare decisions. Working with a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional can be helpful in navigating the complexities of Medicare.