Will All Seniors Eventually Have No Choice but Medicare Advantage?

When you are told you are terminal, you will want to go anywhere thst will give you hope.
I was just scanning a few posts in this thread, and saw this. Please recognize that, like anything else in insurance, there may be exceptions to that statement.
 
For people on Medicare, one of the biggest trade-offs between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare is that Medicare Advantage plans have a more limited network of doctors and other providers.

Further complicated when the senior has multiple providers and some of them may not be in network with all/any plans
 
Naturally, the MA plans have seen the error of their ways and now have have 100% penetration in the provider market . . .
 
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Seems like a patient MAY be admitted for care at MD Anderson (or Mayo, or SK, or any other specialty hospital) but MAY have to jump through hoops to get there.

That is expecting a lot for someone who is 65+ and fighting cancer PLUS have to get PERMISSION from their PPO/HMO plan so they can get treatment.

Those with OM don't have to ask permission . . . they just go.
My understanding has been that MA plans will (or must) cover OON specialists if there is not one INN to who can address the members problem. But it is in no way guaranteed. “I’ve got cancer and want a consult at MD Anderson” probably isn’t going to cut it unless it is a special case.
 
MA plans will (or must) cover OON specialists if there is not one INN to who can address the members problem.

ONLY IF the provider agrees to accept the coverage. Non-par providers cannot be compelled to treat patients in non-emergency situations.

MD Anderson is just one example of an acute care facility that does not participate in ALL MA plans . . . there are plenty of other facilities that have similar rules for non-emergency care.
 
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