Interesting Articles about Advantage Plans

[James]

http://www.news-medical.net/?id=22305

Then you have stories like these that would suggest that MA's may not have that great of a future.

 

[policy doctor]

Well that's true that if funding is reduced, those MA's will raise premiums and reduce benefits, like the Silver Sneakers program.

We're all anticipating an increase in those med supls if medicare reduces medical payments to 75% of approved, compared to 80% now. And so will these MA plans change co-pays.

For years the mediare mkt was very stable, and predictable. Now i see it getting more volatile and heading the way of the major medical mkt. The stricter underwriting for med supps is decreasing the number of eligibles unless they're aging in, or employer-issue related. Affordability is another.

Looking down the road, what if the major MA plans remain, with high premiums equal or more than med supps, but client can't switch because of insurability? And guarantee issue would not be an option.

So what started out as a good gig, turns into something else. . Interesting scenario. Managed care. (just musing here)