As a senior citizen living in the State of Florida I am very familiar with health insurance companies like Aetna, Humana, United, etc. which manage very popular Medicare plans called Medicare Advantage.

I mention this as a fact which can be used by Democratic Party candidates to counter the GOP talking point that a ‘Medicare for All’ plan would involve the insured no longer dealing with a health insurance company. Please advise these GOP politicians to talk to their elderly folks in their communities to learn more about how Medicare Advantage plans work.

Here’s how Medicare Advantage works (Source: medicare.gov)…

“You can get your Medicare benefits through Original Medicare, or a Medicare
Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). If you have Original Medicare, the
government pays for Medicare benefits when you get them. Medicare Advantage
Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies
approved by Medicare.”

“Medicare pays these (health insurance) companies to cover your Medicare benefits.”

“If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Medicare
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage.
This is different than a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy.”

There are the different types of Medicare Advantage Plans:

• “Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans—In most HMOs, you can
only go to doctors, other health care providers, or hospitals in the plan’s network,
except in an urgent or emergency situation. You may also need to get a referral
from your primary care doctor for tests or to see other doctors or specialists.”

• “Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans—In a PPO, you pay less if you
use doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that belong to the plan’s
network. You usually pay more if you use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside
of the network.”

• “Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans—PFFS plans are similar to Original Medicare in that you can generally go to any doctor, other health care provider, or hospital as long as they accept the plan’s payment terms. The plan determines how much it will pay doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals, and how much you must pay when you get care.”

• “Special Needs Plans (SNPs)—SNPs provide focused and specialized health care
for specific groups of people, like those who have both Medicare and Medicaid,
live in a nursing home, or have certain chronic medical conditions.”

• “HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS) plans—These are HMO plans that may allow
you to get some services out-of-network for a higher copayment or coinsurance.”

• “Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans—These plans combine a high-deductible
health plan with a bank account. Medicare deposits money into the account
(usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health
care services during the year. MSA plans don’t offer Medicare drug coverage. If
you want drug coverage, you have to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.”

“Who can join a Medicare Advantage Plan?”

“You must have Medicare Parts A and B and live in the plan’s service area to be eligible
to join. People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure) generally can’t
join a Medicare Advantage Plan.”

“How much do Medicare Advantage Plans cost?”

“In addition to your Part B premium, you usually pay one monthly premium for the
services included in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Each Medicare Advantage Plan has
different premiums and costs for services, so it’s important to compare plans in your
area and understand plan costs and benefits before you join.”

What do Medicare Advantage Plans cover?

“Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers
except hospice care. Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you’re in a Medicare
Advantage Plan. In all types of Medicare Advantage Plans, you’re always covered for
emergency and urgent care. Medicare Advantage Plans must offer emergency coverage
outside of the plan’s service area (but not outside the U.S.). Many Medicare Advantage
Plans also offer extra benefits such as dental care, eyeglasses, or wellness programs.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage
(Part D). In addition to your Part B premium, you usually pay one monthly premium
for the plan’s medical and prescription drug coverage.”