What does a zip code have to do with getting better benefits from Medicare???

[a kennedy]

All those commercials regarding getting more benefits, blah, blah, blah, why does your zip code have anything to do with it??

[mn9driver]

1. I think it has to do with Medicare Advantage plans.

They work like an HMO, so zip code would matter.

[a kennedy]

5. 👍🏻 Thank you.

[unc70]

2. Many Advantage plans serve only a few counties

They are often limited to the area around particular hospitals. This is especially true for ones that are HMOs. Not all Advantage plans are HMOs.

[a kennedy]

6. 👍🏻 Got it, and thanks.

[RandySF]

3. Area cost of living?

[a kennedy]

8. Yah, possibly, thank you.

[LiberalFighter]

4. It determines what plans are available in the area.

I have a plan that is only available in about 10 states. And it is not available to the general public. I have the option of enrolling in a different plan that is available in all 50 states.

[a kennedy]

9. Yikes, only 10 States?? good for you.....and thanks.

[yellowdogintexas]

12. and woe be unto you if you have to seek treatment out of network

I do not want to make insurance companies any richer than I have to, so I took Medicare B. There are no networks. My plan is good no matter where I am in the US.

[LiberalFighter]

14. Your plan is mostly good everywhere with the Medicare part.

That pays only 80% of covered cost. The 20% is covered by your own insurance which can be just traditional or with an Advantage plan.

[Ms. Toad]

27. Doesn't work well for people with chronic illnesses.

Original Medicare B is not capped, so you'll be paying 20% forever. Medicare Advantage plans are capped ($6700 max this year).

My daughter's billed medical expenses are $200,000/year. 20% of 200,000 every year is a whole heap of money. My own expenses aren't that bad right now, but I have a very aggressive cancer that requires frequent costly monitoring and, if it metastasizes, potentially very costly treatment. I can't afford Original Medicare.

[sarcasmo]

7. Like car insurance?

[a kennedy]

10. I guess eh? and thank you.

[sarcasmo]

13. Your zip code is a high crime area so you pay more in health care.

[a kennedy]

17. Is that true??? Damn, didn't know that. Thanks.

[sarcasmo]

23. That's how car insurance works.

[Hoyt]

11. Medical utilization and cost varies by locality, networks vary, etc.

[sinkingfeeling]

15. They're for Medicare Advantage programs, and just like employer

provided insurance, the costs are based on where one lives.

[a kennedy]

21. Got it, and thanks.

[leftstreet]

16. Why are we paying for healthcare at all?

Nationalize it

[a kennedy]

19. I know, just so sad our country stinks in health care......and that it's NOT free or at least

affordable. 🤬 🤬 🤬

[MichMan]

24. Buy all the hospitals & outpatient clinics, and make the doctors & nurses government employees ?

Can't see that happening anytime soon

[leftstreet]

25. What's wrong with "government employees?"

Buy their assets? No, seize them

[ariadne0614]

18. To be clear, Medicare Advantage is NOT Medicare.

It is private insurance disguised as Medicare, and has many disadvantages. In other words, it's a Trojan horse designed to destroy the original Medicare program.

[a kennedy]

20. Yah, I know that......just didn't realize zip code was such a big deal with the advantage plans.

Thanks….

[leftstreet]

22. +1

[Hoyt]

26. Passed by Clinton Administration and over 1/3 of Medicare beneficiaries select it.

President Bill Clinton signed Medicare+Choice into law in 1997. The name changed to Medicare Advantage in 2003. Advantage plans automatically cover essential Part A and Part B benefits, except hospice services.

It was not an attempt to destroy traditional Medicare.

[ariadne0614]

29. Thom Hartmann begs to differ.

https://hartmannreport.com/p/the-medicare-advantage-plan-to-kill?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy

[Hoyt]

30. It's been 23 years, and Medicare is strong. Thom "Conspiracy" Hartmann is

not my go to guy.

[Ms. Toad]

28. It is a Godsend if you have a chronic illness.

There is no cap on the annual out-of-pocket expenses for original Medicare. Those of us with chronic, costly illnesses need an annual cap.