Member-only story
Taking “Advantage” of You
The Insurance Companies Want Your Blood
Earlier this month the New York Times, in a brief respite from being the propaganda war-narrative machine, showed that they are, on occasion, still capable of journalism.
The piece was titled “‘The Cash Monster Was Insatiable’: How Insurers Exploited Medicare for Billions.”
It detailed why most large insurers in the Medicare Advantage plan have been accused in court of fraud. To the tune of billions of dollars.
Particularly frightening since by next year half of Medicare beneficiaries will have a private Medicare Advantage—and many of them will not realize they no longer have Medicare.
It’s that time of the year.
The onslaught of paper mail—and email—from insurance companies trying to get me to sign up for one of their “Advantage” plans is in full swing. Open enrollment they call it. They’ve got my addresses.
Not a day goes by without at least one envelope screaming “urgent” or “official business” showing up in my mailbox—only to be torn to small pieces and tossed into the recycling bin.
If they provide a postage paid response envelope they get my thoughts— scrawled on their paperwork—and tossed into a mailbox. They pay for my opinion.
