Real Story about Medicare Advantage

[@charlottetrades3367]

Four year Senior Savings client with traditional Medicare and Plan N Medigap. This past summer I was admitted to hospital for heart failure. 5 days in ICU was $61,000. My out of pocket was Zero since I had met my deductible of $226.00 for 2023. Best decision I made was following Chris’s advice. I trust Chris and you should too!!

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@59Schnauzermom]

I start Medicare in January, I always said I would not use an advantage plan. I worked in a hospital for years, I saw denials, getting Priorauthorizations was an act of congress, even with a prioauth, the charges would still be denied. People are lied to about these advantage plans. I can go on about what problems I saw with people who had an advantage plan. I went traditional medicare with plan G. Plan G pays everything except the Medicare deductible

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Yes it does. We would have likely recommended this, but it pays the agent 26% less commission, so you probably weren't told about it. Good news is you could still change your mind: PlanNMedicare.org If you want our help, book an appt here: SeniorSavingsNetwork.org/openenrollment

[@countrysister700]

What a relief when my Senior Savings Network agent told me in my age 64 Medicare sign up call (I wasn't obligated to sign up but waited a few days and did it) that my low income wasn't a problem. After listening to all my healthcare issues and habits, we found a plan N supplement would likely be approved because my health history wasn't terrible. N has small copays/deductibles but a low premium and NO STRINGS ATTACHED as far as preapprovals, etc. Chris and staff are wonderful. I emailed my rep a question on a Friday and son of a gun received a prompt email from Chris himself stating my rep was out for the afternoon but that he'd be happy to help (I said goodness no - Monday was fine). Honest, patient, value-oriented service for each client. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you for allowing us to help!

[@jdenino6022]

I told my husband to watch out for MA but he says he wants to go with his union plan that they offered him through United Healthcare. I’m nervous about this.

[@G.G.8GG]

I watch every one of your videos that comes up. Thanks for all the work and energy you put in to keeping us educated. It must be exhausting. I hope your family gets to see you sometimes.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you so much!

[@christinaharrison5823]

I'm a business office manager at a skilled nursing facility...and I wish I could yell from the treetops to get and stay on Traditional Medicare! Often...even in my own family...folks are solicited...they say oh, I've got Medicare A & B and Humana...no you don't, you have Humana. If you need skilled care...you may get two weeks...every so often a little longer. PLUS...then if you started with a managed plan, then go back to traditional Medicare...you may have trouble getting a supplemental plan next go around. I am NOT a fan of managed plans.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you so so so much for sharing this valuable perspective with others here. I'd say you have some inside knowledge! If you ever want to talk with me on Zoom, would LOVE to hear more. Please write me at [e-mail] Thank you!

[@Bugsybear2]

People need to listen to this very carefully. I was a nursing home administrator for 25 years and now work for a state Medicaid agency. This video is very true. People do not understand how to file an appeal and many do not have the skills to fight the insurance company. Medicare and Medicaid managed care are very much disadvantage plans.

[@deborahsigler5403]

We kept original Medicare. Have friends that chose advantage and regret it. Thank you for trying to educate Seniors!

[@josephineford9886]

Glad to see the truth about Advantage plan.

[@deborahg4599]

Chris as a fellow broker, why in the world are they allowing this? This is my hugest frustration in this business. I got into this business as a young 28 year old and it has all changed so drastically. It just turns my stomach. God bless you Chris!

[@BarbinAZ]

They also shouldn't allow the scammer phone solicitors to use a fake local number. As a teacher I have to answer every local call because it could be a parent.

[@BarbinAZ]

By the 4th call in the same day all" local" I am not very pleasant.

[@Jody-kt9ev]

@@BarbinAZ True, Luckily, I get the calls on my cell phone and ignore all calls except from contacts. If it is a call I want, they can leave a message. Scammers never do.

[@jdenino6022]

Politicians are paid off by INSURANCE COMPANIES...what do you expect?

[@suehofkamp8594]

A eye opener! Thanks.

[@gaetanomaximus8650]

As always, thanks! BTW, one of the things I appreciate about you and your videos is that you don't put on a happy face and talk to us like we're Kindergartners. You talk to us like we're sentient beings with fully functioning brains and decades of work experience.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you for saying that.

[@jeffwombold9167]

Thank you for your informational posts. I had already signed up with another representative before I found your websites, but for anyone else out there, this is probably the best information you will see on the net. His info is legit, and the representative that I went with was fully honest, just as here. With me already disabled and just beginning on Medicare, they had both warned me about the issue of changing your mind after the first subscription to either Medicare with a supplement or Medicare advantage. They are distinctly different. Thanks again..

[@jaggillar6680]

This gripes me. Corporatization will ruin traditional medicare. Question: why are our lawmakers wanting us to choose corporations over original MC? Perhaps the lawmakers are invested in these corporations.

[@jleechadwick]

I am glad that I'm part Scottish, because they are not forcing me into a Medicare Advantage again. I now no better and I can be very rebellious. Now that I know the truth about Medicare Advantage, I will never go back to one.

[@robinsmith8846]

I am so relieved I instinctively kept original medicare, plus plan G gap. It helped I did not have a plan broker/ salesperson who was agressive. She wanted me to decide after all info! You have to be able to pay the vosts of the monthly plan. Otjerwise you may need to resort to MA. At 66, I still work, to keep busy , to provide special needs childcare for military families, to have money to run my life, and to afford a plan g . Not everyone wants to work in their mid to late 60s. My pkan is to work as long as I can, as long as I am healthy.

[@beesarebeautiful4175]

Of course people won't believe this until it happens to them.

[@kai88875]

The biggest problem with Medicare advantage is that it puts profit ahead of health care that is determine medically necessary. Thank God for some KZbin videos that help to educate do that you can make an informed decision. Buyer beware as not all insurance brokers have your best interest. Read and watch so you can make informed decisions. There are still some people who are honest insurance brokers and they truly care about you and your needs.

[@VanlilfewithDaleandBailey]

I'm tired of hearing about Medicare advantage when I have no choice and can't get on a supplement plan because I'm dieabetic. I paid into the system too. Drives me nuts.

[@DJ-1999.]

I wish I had seen this before. I JUST signed up yesterday (11-3-23) with Cigna Preferred Medicare HMO. I honestly thought I did my research (albeit on my own)! I guess not! I never heard anything about the "advantages" of the original Medicare plan. Is it too late to change?

[@ChristopherWestfall]

No, not too late to change. You can change your mind before 12/7 and then again January 1 thru March 31. We're you new to Medicare? Don't answer here in comments. Please find the right path and make an appointment. SeniorSavingsNetwork.org

[@betqpublic9901]

Biggest scam being perpetrated today

[@Vincentdixon4060]

Here in Alberta Canada we have Blue Cross (a USA corporation)for extra coverage. For eye wear it costs $300 for standard vision under Blue Cross paid by my Senior government program but reality paid $60 for 2 pair. My leaders have lost reality or being paid corruption.

[@SongDog9]

Private insurance shoukd not be able to use the word medicare

[@dianamatson6002]

Thank you for this. It's disgusting to see how the Advantage plans are being pushed without explanation. They are taking advantage of older people, and it's just despicable. If people would just remember, when they hear Advantage....you are being taken advantage of.

[@Karen-d3g9n]

Check this out! I attended one of those “free dinner” Medicare seminars, you guys know what I’m talking about. Anyway, they are strongly pushing Medicare Advantage plans, while claiming to be unbiased of course. Ok, so she starts into her speech about how great Advantage plans are, and people start asking questions. I however came prepared, and started asking questions about original Medicare and the “G” and “N” supplement plans. Other participants in the room started getting curious and asking their own questions. Anyway, let’s just say that all those folks now know about options that they were unaware of before………..

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Love it!!!

[@SongDog9]

This is all our future unless we demand it stopped now

[@59Schnauzermom]

Thank you for this video

[@pilarskifamily899]

Not getting the emails about Medicare DISAdvantage is 1 blessing from dad not doing email. 😮

[@Medisupps]

Great video Chris!

[@joeh23]

Great video. Thank you for posting

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@susanjohnson9255]

Your the best. I appreciate your videos.

[@Jody-kt9ev]

I got the email and ignored it. I have watched to many of your videos and other's videos and know the downsides of Medicare (Dis)Advantage. I also know of a person who was denied care by Medicare Advantage. In his case, his health was so bad(due to his own habits), I am not sure the care would have helped. But anyway, it was denied. My wife and I are perfectly happy with regular Medicare and a supplement. (I personally agree with the assessment that I have seen that calls Medicare Advantage a "parasite" and would like to see MA shut down).

[@deborahsigler5403]

Another thing that a lot of seniors dint realize is that once you choose an advantage plan you can not go back to original Medicare

[@RxchXnSpxrxt]

Chris am i incorrect in thinking that the same companies that provide these medicare advantage plans are the companies that provide the medigap plans?

[@debistanley2791]

I saw this video. It doesn’t mention if the company or patient chose the MA plan. Because Medicare is not private and MA is not Medicare, I think everyone already retired would have a legal standing to stay in Medicare. But if it’s changed before a person retires, I think a company has a right to do that but seeing people not knowing what it means, a company should be obligated to warn their employees to seek professional advice. Where are the Unions in all this? They’re supposed to care about the employees. No money for them, not their problem?

[@jeffreyjourdonais298]

The biggest problem with this story is he was forced into Medicare Disadvantage. Its an outrage.

[@lindaelston4728]

Thank you so much for this. This is our plan. I also shared this! We will sure be changing. Just got a letter saying the hospital and surgeon where I get knee surgery, is going to be dropped under this plan I need more surgery at that hospital and will have to get it before December.

[@joanclayton1181]

I appreciate all that you do to educate people. I got Plan N just a week ago. 😊

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Wonderful!

[@paulclark4891]

This is truly sad!!!

[@tomm7505]

Chris, I checked out the website of the healthcare management company that begins with an N in your video. Their website says a lot of things that are not too encouraging for seniors needing care. (I'm beating around the bush in this comment because my original comment was flagged and deleted by the moderators of this platform. I hope this comment gets through).

[@huyvu6613]

I am a broker and I always advocate my clients to be on Original Medicare. But, do to cost constraints, most of my clients cannot afford to stay on Original Medicare.

[@Judes121]

Thanks so much for sharing ! 🙏🏼

[@ChristopherWestfall]

My pleasure!!

[@rjsmith7170]

Thanks so much for this information,they make it so hard to understand. And I can’t count the times that the quotes they give during a new enrollment doesn’t reflect the actual amount charged to us, and plan is weaker than told us. Thanks for the info. God bless you.

[@donreinholz8121]

Chris since when has ANY insurance company ever offered their clients a better plan that saves them money but costs the CEO and shareholders more? Exactly!

[@sandramiller7972]

Insurance companies should be held liable when they interfere and harm their customers. F. Miller

[@debistanley2791]

Thanks to Chris here, I made the jump. After Mohs surgery my sinuses went ballistic got infected put me in the hospital for pneumonia. That’s an acute health condition. My Advantage plan declined the claim because the hospital didn’t bill the contracted amounts. No wonder hospitals are dropping them. If insurance knows the pay outs, why didn’t they pay per the contract? Looks like they’re using the hospital to float their books,

[@corinnefogarty7880]

I treat emails from "Medicare" as being potential scams. But I'm also getting ready to retire and need to figure out what choices my job is offering. (I'm a state employee.)

[@sweetladylah]

How come your comparison didn't show AARP united health with 0 monthly premium as I have

[@ChristopherWestfall]

I'm sorry, should I have talked for 3,457 hours discussing every plan in the country? Sorry I've failed. kzbin.infobcO2VzrXj1Q?feature=share

[@cabezzadevaca4157]

I just wish you could have done the presentaion without the music. Otherwise, very good information. Thank you.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

It wasn't my presentation. It was a documentary.

[@ranchoboomerang]

The moral bankruptcy is so profound. Who in gods name do they think does all the work around here.

[@johnb9507]

My wife & I have supplemental plan G from Cigna. We love the supplemental idea completely but Cigna raises our premiums $20-$25 per month every year!! We need Plan G because we have many doctors office visits and medical tests per year. I guess we're stuck with it because we'd have to go through the underwriting if we wanted to change companies and that would probably make it much more expensive. Chris, could you suggest anything at all?

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Yes. Let us help! seniorsavingsnetwork/underwritten

[@yacaattwood2421]

My oncologist would miss me - CANCER makes me want to stay with Traditional Medicare and a Supplement, even though I’m paying nearly $800/mo due to IRMAA, Plan G, prescription drug plan and a vision/dental plan

[@Otis884]

Just makes your head spin, profit over people.

[@archiehendricks6093]

Well after spending a few years on advantage plans, and told after underwriting, lets see how long it takes before the crap hits the side walk. Your dept said my underwriting was good.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Thank you for going through the process with us? For the benefit of others, here is how it works: SeniorSavingsNetwork.org/underwritten

[@BarbinAZ]

You need to do a story in whats happens when you get suckered into Advantage plan and tou live in very rural America. We have no read MDs just nurse practitioners. The NPs are frequently moving on to better opportunities. In 2 years in NE AZ I am on my third primary NP. My friend with advantage gots tons of denials for cancer care. They drug out her needed MRI for months.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

This is a nation trend.. toward N.P.'s and P.A.'s: med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/10/nurse-practitioner-prescribing.html

[@Reed-2big]

Would you include how hospice works within these programs, please. Yes, certainly when open season has calmed down.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Interesting topic idea. However, the Medicare Advantage plans do not want to deal with Hospice care, so they lobbied and won to have CMS remove patients entering Hospice from their costs. They will be returned to original Medicare for everything related to Hospice care and Medicare will take over. This keeps the dollars flowing to the Advantage plans without this cost. Nice, eh?

[@clemedicaredotcom7446]

It's a sell out.

[@adarunge3342]

Can it be investigated as to patients trying to get back on regular Medicare from an advantage program. Their supplemental secondary insurance may be denied as to preexisting, thus leaving you without a supplemental insurance. It has been stated that you cannot be denied insurance for preexisting, but that only applies to primary insurance. Advantage programs can eventually do away with those benefits and change the premium prices for more. Advantage programs is how they will do away with regular medicare. This is called privatized insurance through private insurance programs. Thanks.

[@kai88875]

Medicare says no referral needed but my primary is always referring saying she is required to refer? Have original Medicare and supplement. Thank you.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

That is your agenda, not hers. You can pick up the phone and make an appointment with any specialist you choose. If you ask your primary doctor, she will be more than willing to take the billing fee in order to make a referral for you.

[@g0989]

Some specialists may only accept patients referred by a PCP or other provider. It has nothing to do with what kind of insurance the patient has. It's just the way they operate.

[@sprd2thin]

Wanted to switch drug plan and called the insurace Co number listed in medicare and you catalog. The agent was trying to switch me to an advantage plan. If one gets a drug plan that is advantage does this switch your health plan also? I did not continue conversation and called medicare to switch..hope it is in order.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Yep, we warned our clients and viewers that this happens every time. It is BAIT AND SWITCH. Covered here: kzbin.infoxXT2Uiqt2Ys?si=JKY-DQlJgKH1WzCs&t=262

[@lindachick8889]

Isn’t Ct a state that you can change from MA to Traditional Medicare without Underwriting? Yes it is. So I am not sure what happened. Thanks Cristopher. You do so much good.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Yes it is. This puts a super huge fine point on the benefits of working with an experienced Medicare insurance broker.

[@susanpeterson7570]

What is your opinion on Impact Health Sharing?

[@Reed-2big]

Fortunately I did not receive such an email. Years ago, I was told, by a private health care group, that it was illegal to try to offer me such program because I was covered by Tricare. While I found that hard to believe more and more seems to indicate it may be close to true.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Not illegal, but not advised.

[@Reed-2big]

@@ChristopherWestfall Thanks. Now if I could just get the phone calls to stop.🤔

[@archiehendricks6093]

Well if i cant get on supplement, i will sell everything and just have tradishional medicare. And when the 20% bill comes, write it off, i am out of blood.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

seniorsavingsnetwork/underwritten

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Wow. So sad. He may have gotten meningitis no matter where he was placed though. Still the insurance company should be sued. That's what I would do.

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Timing is everything in Healthcare. If they had to appeal and waste that time, you've already lost.

[@virginiabarton1056]

I moved to the central west coast of Florida about 3 years ago. I kept my traditional medicare and got a supplement before I moved here and have kept it. I COULD NOT FIND A PHYSICIAN TO SEE ME! All I could find were nurse practitioners. What baloney! No one I’ve met here has traditional Medicare. The idea that mid-level practitioners are treating geriatric patients with serious co-morbidities is ludicrous. I was seriously ill and treatment by a nurse practitioner almost killed me! (I’ll tell the story to anyone who would like to hear.)

[@ChristopherWestfall]

National trend with the primary care doctors retiring and not enough replacing them. Recent story on this: med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/10/nurse-practitioner-prescribing.html

[@sandraduncan4372]

Medicare then needs to offer more stuff then. If the us government knows what the issues are then they need to fix it

[@connielin6011]

Chris, I forwarded this video to my sister immediately after I saw it. She and her husband are in the same situation as your video. The state of Connecticut switched their plan from supplement to advantage in 2023. Wondering can they now switch back to supplement plan. My sister was a state worker for Connecticut, but they now live in Washington state. Please help. Is there a good number we can reach out to you?

[@ChristopherWestfall]

My Connie. My number is at the beginning, end, and middle and description of every video, yes. The problem is that she does not live in CT. Therefore, she is not protected by CT law, which WOULD allow her to get a Supplement at ANY time of the year. This is a rare opportunity that she gives up by moving to WA. If she has a CT address with Medicare/Social Security, yes, she can get a Supplement without underwriting. Then, moving that address to WA, she can change to any other supplement whenever she wishes (with rate increases, etc.). She could do these changes ANY time of the year, as it is a "Special Enrollment Period" triggered by any such move. Just FYI. Our number is: 1-800-729-9590.

[@kungdu]

Never buy these advantages health plans. Just buy the supplemental plan b to include with the plan A. Also buy yourself some long term care.

[@marianatirante612]

Hi Chris, how about medications? My uncle is on Orencia. The real cost of this medication is $10,000 dls every 6 weeks. Does the Medicare Supplement will cover that or at list a percentage? What you can tell me about that? Any suggestion?? Thanks for your time! Great video!

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Yes. If original Medicare covers something, in this case, Part B, then the Supplement pays the rest of that cost. Orencia, if administered by a physician in his/her office, is covered by Part B of Medicare. Therefore, the Supplement pays the other part. If, however, you allow the doctor to prescribe it to be injected at home, it then falls under your Part D (drug plan) benefit at the pharmacy. The goal would be to find a doctor that will do the infusions in their office, so that Part B covers the 80% and the Supplement would cover the other 20%. On an Advantage plan, you will be dealing with it as a Part D pharmacy cost which means it will NOT go toward your Maximum Out of Pocket protection. Or, they can infuse it in a provider's office, if approved through Prior Authorization, but you will likely be stuck with 20% of the cost. That is how they deal with infusions that would have been covered under Part B. The Advantage plans will typically make you pay 20% of the cost, as if you had original Medicare (but you cannot have a Supplement to pay your 20%.) www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/does-medicare-cover-orencia-infusions

[@ebw_servant_of_GOD]

Chris.... GOD gave you , your path 🙏 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Stay Strong in THE WORD, FAITH, and PATH GOD has shown us ALL THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. EBW USN Ret. Servant of GOD.

[@timmcquerry6068]

Busy days, huh Chris?

[@ChristopherWestfall]

Exhausting, yes.