Hard Sell Cited as Insurers Push Plans to Elderly

[cal04]

Source: ROBERT PEAR

Insurance companies have used improper hard-sell tactics to persuade Medicare recipients to sign up for private health plans that cost the government far more than the traditional Medicare program, federal and state officials and consumer advocates say.

Insurance agents, spurred in some cases by incentives like trips to Las Vegas, have aggressively marketed the private plans, known as Medicare Advantage plans. Enrollment in them has skyrocketed in the last year, and Medicare officials foresee continued rapid growth in the next decade.

In Mississippi, George R. Dale, the state insurance commissioner, said, “Abusive Medicare insurance sales practices are spreading rapidly throughout the state.” State Senator Terry C. Burton, a Republican, said, “My office is receiving calls daily from seniors who have been victims of unscrupulous salespeople.”

Proponents of private plans say they are indisputably good for many older Americans because they coordinate care and may offer extra benefits, like discounts on eyeglasses, hearing aids and dental care.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/07/washington/07medicare.html?hp

[truthisfreedom]

1. That's the caring, attentive bushco we've grown to love and trust, ain't it?

Doesn't it just bring a little tear to your eye?

[magellan]

2. Only in America

Insurance agents ripping off our parents and grandparents for trips to LV. You'd think Americans would have a shame threshold and that we'd have collectively crossed it years ago where health coverage is concerned, but we just keep besting our worst.

New lows all the time. So proud. :sarcasm: :mad:

[Donnachaidh]

3. Every time I see those Pharma Ads on Countdown about *not messing

with the drug program* because it's working FINE I want to put my foot through the screen.

[Bozita]

4. IIRC, former RepubliCONgressman Billy Tauzin is their "spokesperson"

Good ol' "Telecom Bill." I was pleasantly surprised to see that big pharma was the highest bidder for his services.

The ad shows a newspaper owned by Dan Quayle's family. The paper thinks everything's fine, just fine.

The ad begs for a direct attack from a group with a different view on the success of Medicare Part D.

Hello, AARP?

H-e-l-l-l-o?

[windbreeze]

5. IF I remember correctly....the reason I don't belong to AARP is...

because they supported this baloney part D....and I find this article interesting, because I almost signed up for one of these advantage plans this year...but...what I am afraid of is this...you sign up for it...everyone signs up for it....then the gob'ment decides they don't want to pay for Medicare any longer....and you find yourself stuck with no insurance, instead of the coverage they promised....uh huh...the sales person says he can't guarantee you...but as far as he knows, this is not in the plans...that every one who signs up...pays their regular premium for medicare...and the gov't picks up the rest of it...well, anything that sounds too good to be true......probably is...
wb

[Bozita]

6. There's a consumer oriented alternative to AARP, but I can't remember its name.

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