Medicare Plan Cuts In Puna

[Punatang]

That has no comparison to this situation.  

If you're insulted by having it pointed out that you have lied, try not lying about what I have or have not said.  I find your lies insulting.

If you want simple answers to complex questions about your healthcare, Punaweb, might not be the best resource for you.  

If you think there is a one size fits all "best" or "better" plan for every Puna Kupuna, you might be soft in the head.

If you think Medicare is a "wild Nene chase", based on what I have seen, I agree with you completely, and it appears that it has been this way for many, many years across many administrations, congresses, and courts.

If Puna Kupuna need help finding a different Medicare plan, instead of asking Punaweb, as one might do to learn about local food options, they might be a bit smarter about it and ask a licensed, experienced professional or utilize the longstanding governmental resources which are: www.medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE.

I think anything else on this matter, between you and I, belongs on The Bicker Board.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

If you think Medicare is a "wild Nene chase",

I’ve navigated Medicare with no problem for years.  It’s not Medicare, it’s your evasion.  It’s like taking an Uber to Pahoa and driver just goes in circles on the roundabout assuring me he knows the way, he’s got The GPS and the navigation system, don’t tell him you don’t think we’re getting anywhere, but always has some excuse why we can’t take that exit, or that exit, or that one…. I’m told I’m the one with the problem, and as soon as he finds a place to pull over so he doesn’t block traffic he’s kicking me out.

[Punatang]

It might be time to appoint a Power of Attorney to help you with your healthcare decisions.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

It might be time to appoint a Power of Attorney 

Thank you for your suggestion but do you think someone who has repeatedly picked out a Medicare plan, needs help because they are capable of choosing a plan?  A real plan that’s in existence? 

Perhaps you also don’t understand the purpose for power of attorney but for some unknown reason believe you do?

[Chas]

Again, I recommend checking with Kaiser. I pay like 130 a month and the care is excellent.

It can be a pain sometimes when you have to go to Oahu for something, but they pay for it.

[Durian Fiend]

If you think Medicare is a "wild Nene chase",

I’ve navigated Medicare with no problem for years.  It’s not Medicare, it’s your evasion.  It’s like taking an Uber to Pahoa and driver just goes in circles on the roundabout assuring me he knows the way, he’s got The GPS and the navigation system, don’t tell him you don’t think we’re getting anywhere, but always has some excuse why we can’t take that exit, or that exit, or that one…. I’m told I’m the one with the problem, and as soon as he finds a place to pull over so he doesn’t block traffic he’s kicking me out.

I believe that part of what he can't find the courage to say for some reason is that YES, Medicare advantage plans are being dropped right and left but the Big, stupid, ugly bill isn't in any way responsible.   And it's possible that's true.

As for good or "better" options available for Puna seniors, apparently that will remain a mystery.

[HiloJulie]

Perhaps you also don’t understand the purpose for power of attorney but for some unknown reason believe you do?

Oh, I'd say the knowledge of when one needs a power of attorney is well known, but as is the in-vogue thing for those with no real point to make, outside of reading their prepared Power Point Slide Deck of talking points, is insinuate and imply that if you don't agree with them and those talking points, you are somehow "mentally incompetent."

Medicare advantage plans are being dropped right and left but the Big, stupid, ugly bill isn't in any way responsible.  And it's possible that's true.

Some people believe that the burning of fossil fuel does not create climate change, but here we are.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Hawaii's largest health insurance carrier, HMSA, recently announced that its Akamai Advantage Complete Plus (PPO) and Standard Plus (PPO) plans are ending in 2027, which will leave many of Hawaii's most vulnerable kupuna with increased costs via premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, or a lack of coverage.

This comes amid federal Medicare cuts, with the Trump administration ending a temporary subsidy program that the Associated Press reports has helped offset premiums for the past two years.

HMSA subscribers are set to take the brunt of the impact.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/h...28600.html

[Obie]

"This comes amid federal Medicare cuts"

Here is what was cut.
Millions of older adults on Medicare prescription drug coverage could face steeper monthly costs in 2027, after the Trump administration concludes a temporary subsidy program that has helped offset premiums for the past two years.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week announced it would wrap up the program, which was initially implemented by the Biden administration in 2024 to lower patients’ Medicare Part D prescription drug costs in response to effects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

It was a temporary subsidy so maybe Biden should have made it permanent.

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I did a little research on the Star rating system.It 1st came about in 2007 and was just a rating system to measure that performance of these plans.
The health reform act of 2010 tied the rating to bonus payments. I'm pretty sure Trump wasn't involved.

The Medicare Advantage star rating system was established in 2007 and first implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2008 to help beneficiaries compare the quality of health and prescription drug plans.
Quality Bonus Payments: The 2010 health care reform law later tied these star ratings to financial incentives, authorizing CMS to issue quality bonus payments to plans earning 4 or more stars starting in 2012.

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The ratings are tied to performance and that can be measured by satisfaction surveys.
Do a search for HMSA here on Punaweb, there are 15 pages of people mostly complaining about HMSA.
Maybe Punatalk has lowered HMSA's ratings.

I feel sorry for all of the people caught up in this. Maybe some day our elected representatives will try to reign in medical malpractice claims or try to lower costs.

[HiloJulie]

It was a temporary subsidy so maybe Biden should have made it permanent.
The subsidy was extended by the Biden Admin under the IRA and as a compromise, both houses of Congress set the two-year expiration. Biden could not have made it permanent. It expired under Trump and since neither the House or the Senate had any one with a spine in the majority to extend or make it permanent, it died. Like the tens of millions of Americans will under the current Administration's policies.

The health reform act of 2010 tied the rating to bonus payments. I'm pretty sure Trump wasn't involved.
It is officially known as "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) or more commonly called Obamacare. It most certainly did not involve Trump.

The ratings are tied to performance and that can be measured by satisfaction surveys.
Do a search for HMSA here on Punaweb, there are 15 pages of people mostly complaining about HMSA.
Maybe Punatalk has lowered HMSA's ratings.

You place a very high assumption on PunaWeb capabilities that can form the social narrative. Move over X and Truth Social! I wonder when Rob will issue the IPO?? Maybe even tap Ralph Cushnie as the new CEO??

I feel sorry for all of the people caught up in this. Maybe some day our elected representatives will try to reign in medical malpractice claims or try to lower costs.

Yes, elections do matter. The majority of the people got and continue to get EXACTLY what they voted for. And medical malpractice costs have nothing to do with it. But, as long as you keep getting "yours," you're cool with it all.