General Discussion

Grammy23

(6,037 posts)

48. I want "Martha" gone from my TV

Fri Nov 3, 2023, 08:44 PM

Nov 2023

Permanently, please!

And if they had to have a Martha, why is she a petulant, Stubborn old geezer?? Why have such a stereotype? Did they think that’d be cute? Did it ever occur to the geniuses behind that ad campaign how insulting that ad is to every Medicare eligible customer?

Oh, and by the end, Martha is eating out of the hand of the faceless voiceover. Another insult to any of us seniors with two brain cells left to rub together.

Still have my original Medicare parts A & B plus an expensive supplement, but worth every penny. We have not had a single bill (or co-pay) even after two knee replacements and countless other office visits, lab tests, x-rays, MRIs. Plus stroke hospitalization for spouse. Not one bill. Not changing to an advantage plan no matter how many so-called perks they offer. It is a trap. Don’t do it.

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Highlight:

The Hidden Dangers of Medicare Advantage Plans for Social Security Recipients [View all] William769 Nov 2023 OP

Thank you for the info! chillfactor Nov 2023 #1

Good plan. William769 Nov 2023 #2

My strong advice to all is to ignore all promos and go straight to the source: Medicare.gov. Mister Ed Nov 2023 #47

IIRC Medicare A and B only pays 80% and the rest is up to the you, which is where... brush Nov 2023 #103

What a ripoff Duncan Dem Nov 2023 #3

Wow! Delphinus Nov 2023 #42

DURec leftstreet Nov 2023 #4

I am getting over 10 robo calls a day to switch to an Advantage plan. mackdaddy Nov 2023 #5

The "Advantage" part means them, not us RoadRunner Nov 2023 #6

I must be in the huge minority here. I don't have a T.V. and don't get this crap (Joe Namath/etc.) erronis Nov 2023 #9

Same here. But they've turned the phone number I've had for 30+ years to shit. hunter Nov 2023 #14

Yes I remember when it was exciting to get a phone call. Now I dread all calls n/t. airplaneman Nov 2023 #68

I want "Martha" gone from my TV Grammy23 Nov 2023 #48

Ageism sucks, and it's everywhere RoadRunner Nov 2023 #49

Thank you! Ugh, that "Martha" stereotype is incredibly insulting. oregonjen Nov 2023 #90

There is a max out of pocket for my MOMFUDSKI Nov 2023 #7

I'm not old enough for Medicare yet SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2023 #13

As of 2023, more (51%) Medicare beneficiaries are covered by Advantage Plans than original Medicare. Silent Type Nov 2023 #16

Please think about it Silent Type JayDem Nov 2023 #55

May well be true for you. Others are different. Do you really think you are smarter than Silent Type Nov 2023 #63

Not smarter JayDem Nov 2023 #89

I am one of those people who loves my PPO Advantage plan (through Blue Cross/ Blue Sheild). pazzyanne Nov 2023 #51

Yes, without a supplement one pays the moonscape Nov 2023 #119

For sure! nt pazzyanne Nov 2023 #121

11 years ago I asked my insurance person about Medicare Advantage. "You mean Disadvantage", was GoneOffShore Nov 2023 #86

If you have "Advantage" you must know the term "Prior Authorization." Liberal In Texas Nov 2023 #32

Some plans may indeed SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2023 #34

Original Medicare DOES NOT ever require a pre-authorization. Liberal In Texas Nov 2023 #58

There is no lifetime maximum on MA. And original Medicare does deny claims and you do get Silent Type Nov 2023 #46

Bunk. Liberal In Texas Nov 2023 #59

You are wrong. Besides, never said patient was audited. What a joke, Medicare Silent Type Nov 2023 #62

Medicare denies TxGuitar Nov 2023 #110

Untrue. former9thward Nov 2023 #114

There are very few states in which you can switch to regular Medicare AND get a supplemental plan Ms. Toad Nov 2023 #52

I look at things like this simply: LuckyCharms Nov 2023 #8

+1. They are spending a stupendous sum to take over the system dalton99a Nov 2023 #61

Thank you Rebl2 Nov 2023 #10

The biggest "Hidden Danger" KS Toronado Nov 2023 #11

How these Advantage programs are able to use "Medicare" in their name is an outrage. OMGWTF Nov 2023 #12

Actually it was Clinton's Admin the approved what was simply called Part C in 1997. Silent Type Nov 2023 #17

Advantage plans consist of Medicare paying 80% of covered costs. LiberalFighter Nov 2023 #28

As long as it's in the advatage plans network. William769 Nov 2023 #30

Maybe for plans open to the general public. LiberalFighter Nov 2023 #88

You sure? dpibel Nov 2023 #73

I have a Medicare Advantage plan that is overseen by a group committee. LiberalFighter Nov 2023 #87

They are Medicare plans - they fall under Part C of the Medicare laws. Ms. Toad Nov 2023 #72

It needs to be fixed then. DownriverDem Nov 2023 #15

John Conyers Delphinus Nov 2023 #43

You need Congress DownriverDem Nov 2023 #91

We've been on Medicare A and B, and have a supplemental. 70sEraVet Nov 2023 #18

We have the same Mossfern Nov 2023 #37

haven't had any issues with my Advantage plan yet... bahboo Nov 2023 #19

I don't think loving your specialist is relevant to the question wryter2000 Nov 2023 #22

what is relevant, is that he's part of my plan... bahboo Nov 2023 #23

Okay. wryter2000 Nov 2023 #25

I love my Kaiser Advantage plan that cost me nothing. CrispyQ Nov 2023 #102

they omitted the biggest reason Skittles Nov 2023 #20

The Federal Government should make them take the name Medicare out of it wryter2000 Nov 2023 #21

Who is "them" ? MichMan Nov 2023 #36

Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but I thought that perhaps Congress was looking at these Med. Advantage SWBTATTReg Nov 2023 #24

If Republicans were looking at it, I'd beware wryter2000 Nov 2023 #26

Toilet paper? AZ8theist Nov 2023 #92

Several days ago started getting 30 or more calls a day. LiberalFighter Nov 2023 #27

I get a ton of calls on these advantage plans and hang up on the scam artists pushing these plans LetMyPeopleVote Nov 2023 #29

So what is the grand total you pay per month? MOMFUDSKI Nov 2023 #39

Amazing how this is ignored dpibel Nov 2023 #50

I am paying over $325 or so month between the three plans LetMyPeopleVote Nov 2023 #98

As I've said before, dflprincess Nov 2023 #31

Supplements are for profit, y'know dpibel Nov 2023 #54

Clearly not as profitable or they would be pushing them as hard as they do Advantage plans dflprincess Nov 2023 #64

My Advantage is not-for-profit dpibel Nov 2023 #71

You are fortunate then dflprincess Nov 2023 #74

As I said elsewhere in this thread dpibel Nov 2023 #76

Right. If IIRC Medicare part A&b pay 80%, the rest is up to you... brush Nov 2023 #79

My daughter is an RN Case Manager for home care Freddie Nov 2023 #33

Not bean counters TxGuitar Nov 2023 #111

The medicare.gov web site Progressive dog Nov 2023 #35

I have checked for myself. William769 Nov 2023 #38

"All their networks are worthless" Progressive dog Nov 2023 #40

William769, pazzyanne Nov 2023 #56

It does depend on where you live TxGuitar Nov 2023 #113

Also the Medicare.gov website will find plans available to you based on your medications. MOMFUDSKI Nov 2023 #41

Just dropping this story here . . . AverageOldGuy Nov 2023 #44

I'm keeping my original Medicare meow2u3 Nov 2023 #45

What are the odds? dpibel Nov 2023 #53

Selection bias. Those who failed to navigate the system are not posting on DU. hunter Nov 2023 #99

Can't disagree dpibel Nov 2023 #106

I didn't claim they are all dead... hunter Nov 2023 #108

Another kind of selection bias... thesquanderer Nov 2023 #105

First hand experience JenniferJuniper Nov 2023 #107

Just to clarify JayDem Nov 2023 #57

This is not strictly correct. Everyone has to take Medicare A (which is free) and B. NewHendoLib Nov 2023 #60

Part C is strictly Medicare Advantage dflprincess Nov 2023 #69

That was the point I made poorly but you did much better! NewHendoLib Nov 2023 #70

What does this have to do with Social Security? brooklynite Nov 2023 #65

Who is Michael J Krivich and why should I rely on his opinion? brooklynite Nov 2023 #66

Whoever is selling Advantage gets $750 per sign up as compared to 0 for traditional Medicare airplaneman Nov 2023 #67

I have an Advantage Plan. PoindexterOglethorpe Nov 2023 #75

I can't tell you how many healthcare providers have told me to avoid MA. greatauntoftriplets Nov 2023 #77

IIRC Medicare parts A & B pay only 80% of costs. The rest is on you... brush Nov 2023 #78

Remember, there is no free lunch. Period. ashredux Nov 2023 #80

Advantage plans were introduced by republicans Emile Nov 2023 #81

Best wishes to your brother, and to you, Emile. LuckyCharms Nov 2023 #82

Thanks LuckyCharms. Emile Nov 2023 #84

The doctor at the nursing home last week Emile Nov 2023 #117

So sorry he has to go through all of this. LuckyCharms Nov 2023 #118

I have Humana Advantage Plus. It's been leftyladyfrommo Nov 2023 #83

Thanks for the info and discussion about Advantage plans SouthernDem4ever Nov 2023 #85

As a retired medical social worker Pugee Nov 2023 #93

Another issue that needs to be addressed NewEnglandAutumn Nov 2023 #94

I think the donut hole ends next year or 2025. And Biden's legislation will have like a $2,000 cap Silent Type Nov 2023 #116

My spouse has a great plan TxGuitar Nov 2023 #95

About the $175/mo. sl8 Nov 2023 #96

Yes TxGuitar Nov 2023 #97

I have found that simply paying for a good Medicare supplement plan totodeinhere Nov 2023 #100

Many cannot afford Medigap p!ans TxGuitar Nov 2023 #109

Mine costs $430 monthly but I have no deductibles or copay's totodeinhere Nov 2023 #112

Not a surprise that a system whose primary goal is profit for private companies... thesquanderer Nov 2023 #101

Medigap Policies are an excellent option, especially for retirees with needing a high level of medical care, however... dlk Nov 2023 #104

I have a plan that covers prescriptions for about $35/month. milestogo Nov 2023 #115

Since I am poor, below the 100% FPL, I have dual coverage with both Medicare and Medicaid. elocs Nov 2023 #120