Medicare Advantage - Don't do it

[Cbdb2]

I just have part B.

The hospital billed Medicare $50,000 for a surgery, and my part was $500. I don’t know how this works, but this kind of ratio has happened several times.

I paid about $250 for cataract surgery, plus $600 for eye drops. I don’t have prescription coverage.

Was that $50k for cataracts? If so something is wrong.
"While providing precise figures is challenging due to the numerous variables involved, the following estimates offer a general overview of cataract surgery costs in 2025:
Without Insurance (Self-Pay): For individuals paying out-of-pocket for standard cataract surgery with a monofocal lens, the total cost per eye can range broadly from approximately $3,000 to $6,000. Should you opt for premium IOLs, this estimated cost can escalate significantly, potentially ranging from $5,000 to $9,000 or even higher per eye, depending on the specific lens chosen and the provider's pricing."

 

[amper42]

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, people ages 60+ submitted more than 140,000 complaints and reported nearly $5 billion in direct losses in 2024.
Data theft is accelerating. It's no longer safe to answer the phone without knowing who it is and don't click on emails from unknown senders. More data here:

Preventing Cyber Scams that Target Seniors

crr.bc.edu

 

[jimmyjames8]

Everyone considering a Medicare Advantage Plan should watch this video.
While it's designed to be comedy, it's a realistic warning of what to expect.

Medicare Advantage costs US taxpayers way too much and tries to implement road blocks to coverage so corporations get rich. The incentive for profit and quality healthcare delivery at a reasonable price can't coexist. Once you get into an Advantage Plan and realize how bad the networks are along with pre-authorization requirements, it's hard to get out without paying penalties. Stay with regular Medicare if you want good coverage and wallet protection.

The Medicare Advantage commercials and sales people are not your friends.

Exactly opposite of my experience and even if you get into an Advantage plan and for some reason dont like it or it doesnt work out for you, guess what, you can get out and change plans in a year. I have a couple friends who I have tried to explain this (medicare advantange) to and they continue to keep their more expensive plans that provide less coverage as is their right.

 

[Esprit]

I know of UK for when my brother and family lived there. I was shocked how much begging/complaining they had to do to get an appointment for minor illnesses. Appointments were weeks and months in the future for what would be a few days for us.

I'm always shocked when I read information about American healthcare. In Italy, I book my family doctor's appointments with an app choosing the day and time from those available, I book medical appointments and tests with an app, I pay the co-pay for the services (a few euros...) with an app, and if I need hospital treatment, I don't have to pay for anything: ambulance transport, treatments, surgeries, medications, or lunches, regardless of income.

P.S. More examples: if you're diabetic, Abbott sensors (over €130 per month) are provided free by the public health system, if you suffer from OSAS, masks and CPAP are free, Ozempic or Mounjaro are free for diabetics and will soon be free for obese people…

P.P.S. A survey conducted by a consumer association reports "increases" in the tickets that most citizens are required to pay (exemptions are provided for certain medical conditions, age, income, etc.):

Costi ticket sanitari: salvo (per adesso) il nuovo tariffario del 2025. Ecco cosa prevede

Resta in vigore (per il momento) il nuovo tariffario delle cure e prestazioni garantite ai cittadini operativo dal 2025. Il Tar ha accolto alcuni ricorsi da parte di strutture sanitarie private contrarie alle tariffe entrate in vigore col 2025; le tariffe, considerate dal Tar illegittime...

www.altroconsumo.it

​

 

[amper42]

Exactly opposite of my experience and even if you get into an Advantage plan and for some reason dont like it or it doesnt work out for you, guess what, you can get out and change plans in a year. I have a couple friends who I have tried to explain this (medicare advantange) to and they continue to keep their more expensive plans that provide less coverage as is their right.

Actually, this is incorrect. If your advantage plan is no longer desirable due to price or coverage and you want to go back to Medicare there may be lots of obstacles depending on the timing. From much higher Medigap premiums to having to qualify with an exam for obtaining coverage and other issues. Selecting a Medicare Advantage plan is a gamble.

 

[Canuck57]

I suddenly wasn't feeling well Dec 6, went to Emergency and released Dec 11. Excellent care during stay, numerous tests during stay with rapid results. Follow up appointments with specialists already setup and will be seen within the coming few weeks. No personal cost, of course paid through taxation.

 

[amper42]

Advantage offers NO Advantage
15 health systems dropping Medicare Advantage plans

15 health systems dropping Medicare Advantage plans | 2026 - Becker's Hospital Review | Healthcare News & Analysis

Hospitals and health systems continue to sever ties with Medicare Advantage plans heading into 2026, citing persistent frustrations with prior authorization denials and slow reimbursement from insurers. MA now covers more than half of the nation’s older adults, making these contract terminations...

www.beckershospitalreview.com