IBM Medicare Advantage NYT report March 23, 2023 re federal government efforts to stop MA fraud

 The NY Times published another report about Medicare Advantage antics on March 23rd.  The federal government is trying to reduce the ways MA plans suck money out of the Medicare trust funds and the backlash, not only from the insurance industry but from some medical providers, is despicable. It seems more than just the insurance industry enjoys sucking taxpayer money into their cash registers. 

The insurance industry is fighting hard by not only lobbying but by running ads telling seniors to complain to their representatives that the government is trying to take away their Medicare Advantage plans.  The lengths to which companies go to make money by deceiving the public is mind numbing.  This is the article, but I am not sure if it will be available to non-subscribers:  

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/health/medicare-insurance-fraud.html

              This letter to the editor is from a retired doctor who applauds the federal actions:

Re “Biden’s Plan to Cut Billions in Medicare Fraud Ignites a Lobbying Frenzy” (news article, March 23):

As a physician for 50 years, now retired, I applaud this article. It shines a bright light on the abuses by Medicare Advantage plans.

These plans, profit-making corporate entities, are focusing on their bottom line. The way to increase profits for a health insurance company is to collect premiums while delivering as little care as possible. These reverse incentives do not occur with original public Medicare.

When I was in private practice I saw how these Medicare “DisAdvantage” plans attracted patients with deceptive advertising but ended up hurting them, delaying or denying care by requiring prior authorization for expensive drugs or procedures.

We should get rid of Medicare Advantage plans. They add cost but no value to the system of health care for seniors. Unfortunately, lobbying money talks, and these very profitable corporate entities have deep pockets, which permit these abuses to continue. This is shameful.

In New York State, passing the New York Health Act would eliminate this expensive middleman and bring affordable health care to all New Yorkers.

Elizabeth R. Rosenthal
Larchmont, N.Y.