I have seen youtube videos of this doctor talking about this case. She doesn’t seem like a wacko at all, but also doesn’t seem to be trying to work things out.
There is mention in the article about Medicare Advantage, and there are occasional bits of rage on FR of Advantage hatred, but I have never seen that make sense for one, overwhelming reason.
The doctors in the Advantage network are the same doctors who would provide care if a patient is Medigap. There is no difference. Same doc. Same specified care.
There ARE some rare instances where an area is so rural that there is no Advantage network so the only option in such a locale is Medigap, but this is very rare. This absolutely does not apply to this article, where this doc’s practice is no in-network because apparently United Health is trying to remove itself from that locale — which no doubt their Medigap products are ALSO trying to do.
Anyway, the Advantage hate is just uninformed. Every advisor imaginable counseling people with VA healthcare advises an Advantage plan (which is generally free monthly) for backup to VA.
My understanding is that if you are on traditional Medicare with a supplement policy, if Medicare pays, the supplement pays too. They don’t get to challenge that.
While it is true that many doctors are in Advantage plan networks and take traditional Medicare as well, there are many more that take Medicare but are not in Advantage plans. These are usually the doctors you want to have if you need care that requires a high level of competence.
I opted for traditional Medicare when I turned 65. No regrets. I pay my $250 deductible, and the rest is taken care of by the gummit and the supplement company. I had Mohs on my nose last week, and I am going in for cataract surgery the next 2 weeks. No fighting bureaucrats for authorizations. It costs me more every month, and I don’t get $900 of funny money to spend at some website, but I do get the care I want when I want it.
That's the job of hers and their attorneys......
thank you for that Owen.. the hate is just so misplaced..