I took my brother in law’s advice when I retired and got his regular Medicare instead of Advantage. I not sick very often but finally I thought I should get a primary care physician. So I checked the Medicare website which had tons of doctors/clinics listed. After contacting at least 10 providers I was so disgusted. The receptionists told me, “we are not accepting Medicare currently.” They didn’t ask whether it was as regular Medicare or Advantage so that is not the issue. I have checked back every few months and get the same answer. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks
OK so, I can answer that. Medicare has a rate set by the federal government, so it’s much lower compensation compared to normal compensation. Here is the CMS website with that info. It’s a little hard to understand so I should tackle that at some point.
A quick question, are you just Medicare or Medicare/Medicaid? Because that can also be an issue. Is this the site you used? Because this one also should have a list of providers (I am at work so I can’t check til like later tonight or tomorrow.)
Thanks so much for your quick response. No I don’t have Medicaid as I was lucky enough to work for 2 school districts the last 20 years of my working life. Thus I have a public employee pension as well as social security. I feel for your experience working for an evil corrupt corporation. I was a single parent in and out of those types of job for years. So I feel fortunate to have gotten into a government job. However bad bosses are everywhere and I have had a few. Especially my last seven years before I retired. I had to keep in mind that the devil I know is better than the devil I don’t know.
I had heard years before I retired that Medicare had low reimbursement rates and assumed that was probably at least one reason for the lack of acceptance by doctors.
I wish you the best in this Substack endeavor. You are a great writer who needs to be heard. Thank you so much!
I really appreciate it! Also for some reason the site didn’t link so it’s this one. And yeah that’s a big reason. Also, if you’re getting it through the gov double check to make sure you’re in traditional Medicare. There are certain unions (including teachers) that have had their retirees switched to MA plans through the government (like NY). I used to see them a lot. Definitely doesn’t hurt.
Fortunately my retirement isn’t tied to a union. I was mid level management (Manager vs Director) so not unionized. When my boss who was a director made me look bad to my employees because she refused even the smallest request I urged them to contact the union which I wasn’t supposed to do. Wished very often that had a union to turn to. Sorry for the rant. Too much time on my hands. I will check out the link. Thanks again.
Hey, no worries! And I mean I rant here all the time. And I mean, that’s a good thing in only this case about a union, but usually it’s states dumping their employees into them, like NY.
This morning in the State of RI, 2 lawmakers, Democrats, are trying to pass a law to stop insurance companies from forcing PC doctors to have referrals that insurance companies deny.
In this state there's a shortage of PC. What person would want to raise their family in a state that has a shortage of PC Drs and the Dr spends more time fighting for referrals than serving the right care to their patients. If this goes into law, it won't be until July 2026. So many people will die before then but RI lucky if they can pass it🙏
That would be wonderful! Now to confirm is it referrals or prior auths? Those are 2 different things and I want to make sure we’re on the same page. Prior auths are what gets denied all the time.
My only fear with that is then the insurance companies jack up premiums and deductible to cover the loss of money.
Thank you for sharing your info on the Medicare advantage killing companies. I worked my whole life and now retired. I pay $175 a month for this deadly monopoly that has used and abused most of us. With a criminal traitor driving our country down the street, we are F****d!
The lobbiest and greedy millionaires & billionaires running our country. Our government could not help the American people because Republicans refused to work with Democrats when President Obama came in office. Moscow Mitch McConnell kept his promise on not working with Pres Obama and would never have a sit down meeting with him. Politicians never worried about their medical, they have the best of the best and we pay for them. Money talks and bullshit walks. I'm no bullshit, it's frustrating and angers me that our country has turned on the less fortunate and people with chronic illnesses including babies and children. Politicians children will always have the righteous care never worrying about the money to pay for their medical expenses. And with a coward tyrant that never worked a hard day's job, kept his wig in place, wearing makeup and insulting every American that does not agree with his rapes, frauds, stealing, not paying his employees, stealing from every American, and most likely never had to pay for medical insurance or the families cosmetic surgery. They lie, bully, and just grab it, they take it, it's just like how he grabs women genitalia.
We all know it's going to get worse, DJT plan, along with Musk, and Putin is to have a new World Order. The Guardian had an article months ago and some media outlets mentioned it 2 days ago. For the sick and under privileged Americans, they don't want you alive. They feel you're using up to much money that they can't pocket, the ins. Companies don't want to invest a penny into your survival, and they'll be checking who registered as a Democrat or Republican. If you are a Democrat they don't want you to vote. They sick! The CEOs of medical insurance companies are just as sick, evil, fucks!
With the criminal, richest ppl, and the corrupt weak Republican party, our medical system is going to be blatantly corrupt, more than now and none of us can do a thing about it. People say hold on for 4 yrs, why? DJT stated months ago that no one has to worry about voting agains once he wins and Rep Ogle from Tennessee wants to get rid of the 14th amendment. Why? So DJT can take another term. We have no guardrails, DJT took control of Congress and ignores the rules of our constitution.
Putins propaganda has worked with the help of the traitor in charge & the Republicans that were running around spreading Putins bullshit. The proof is in the Putin.
I apologize for carrying on, your information is very important and your truth is means so much. You explained everything so people that are not sure know now the facts. You are working for the devil and kudos to you for being honest. Without people like you speaking the truth gives me hope that good, caring compassionate people are here helping others.
And I just signed on to Medicare advantage, uh, now I'm going to buckle up and fight them, I'll call my local news, I'll call everyone and cause a stir, I am retired & have all the time in the world to drive them crazy & hopefully make them sick! Sick of me that is 😇😁
Why did you choose Medicare Advantage. They don’t pay for anything. Probably because they make it cheaper on the front end. No judgement. Just a question
They made it seem better than the other choices, they covered Rx's, as of last Friday, I had an unexpected issue, I'm getting prepared for them to deny me MRI, Vascular surgeon, etc, and other tests. Our health system has been a monopoly, it always baffled me that we are the richest country and the one country that charges outrageous prices for everything. A few years back, about 2 to 3 decades, I had surgery and was in the hospital for 5 days, I was looking over the bill that the hospital had charged my insurance, they charged me $10.00 for "ONE" Tylenol.... One damn Tylenol!
I can only imagine how much One extra Strength Tylenol cost today. The insurance companies take their time paying our doctors to.
They make it so confusing, they promise you the best of their coverage and rewards ppl with $60 and up to $75 a month with a B/C B/S debt card. I did ask B/C, " ok, what's the catch? No one gifts their clients debt cards monthly or quarterly, so why?
The answer was, well B/C knows that most people can use the extra help especially senior citizens like yourself, you can use towards healthy foods, eye wear, even utility bills. They made it sound absolutely delicious but I know there's a catch somewhere. They make it sound so easy but it is confusing. What choices do we have? They're all tied together. I'm already having buyers regret..
Basically that’s how they get you. All those extra perks are great until you get ill and need your health insurance. And Medicare/fully insured is actually more regulated than commercial, so you can imagine how horrible people have it when they get it through their employer. Medicare also has a specific fee limit so the provider can’t charge over that amount. It’s all a scam.
I guess I have been lucky, had original M C and my own part c and d . Though I'm having a problem with my part d from wellcare they approved two meds that are 3rd tier. I get two approval letters that are dated 1/31/25 to 12/31/25 on from 1/28/25 so I'm thinking I'm covered same day I get two denied letters for the same drugs dated 1/29/25 so am I screwed or what?
Thank you Ana. I feel your pain unfortunately insurance companies have turn themselves into nessasary evils 😈 as far as I'm concerned. I hate them all equally but try living in our country without them. I've thought M A plans were a scam and united health care always sounded to good to be true to me so thank you for your information and confirmation of this.
I took my brother in law’s advice when I retired and got his regular Medicare instead of Advantage. I not sick very often but finally I thought I should get a primary care physician. So I checked the Medicare website which had tons of doctors/clinics listed. After contacting at least 10 providers I was so disgusted. The receptionists told me, “we are not accepting Medicare currently.” They didn’t ask whether it was as regular Medicare or Advantage so that is not the issue. I have checked back every few months and get the same answer. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks
OK so, I can answer that. Medicare has a rate set by the federal government, so it’s much lower compensation compared to normal compensation. Here is the CMS website with that info. It’s a little hard to understand so I should tackle that at some point.
A quick question, are you just Medicare or Medicare/Medicaid? Because that can also be an issue. Is this the site you used? Because this one also should have a list of providers (I am at work so I can’t check til like later tonight or tomorrow.)
I have heard that too and it makes me sick. It will probably take long years for the arc of justice to bend
Thanks so much for your quick response. No I don’t have Medicaid as I was lucky enough to work for 2 school districts the last 20 years of my working life. Thus I have a public employee pension as well as social security. I feel for your experience working for an evil corrupt corporation. I was a single parent in and out of those types of job for years. So I feel fortunate to have gotten into a government job. However bad bosses are everywhere and I have had a few. Especially my last seven years before I retired. I had to keep in mind that the devil I know is better than the devil I don’t know.
I had heard years before I retired that Medicare had low reimbursement rates and assumed that was probably at least one reason for the lack of acceptance by doctors.
I wish you the best in this Substack endeavor. You are a great writer who needs to be heard. Thank you so much!
I really appreciate it! Also for some reason the site didn’t link so it’s this one. And yeah that’s a big reason. Also, if you’re getting it through the gov double check to make sure you’re in traditional Medicare. There are certain unions (including teachers) that have had their retirees switched to MA plans through the government (like NY). I used to see them a lot. Definitely doesn’t hurt.
https://www.cms.gov/medicare/payment/fee-schedules/physician
Fortunately my retirement isn’t tied to a union. I was mid level management (Manager vs Director) so not unionized. When my boss who was a director made me look bad to my employees because she refused even the smallest request I urged them to contact the union which I wasn’t supposed to do. Wished very often that had a union to turn to. Sorry for the rant. Too much time on my hands. I will check out the link. Thanks again.
Hey, no worries! And I mean I rant here all the time. And I mean, that’s a good thing in only this case about a union, but usually it’s states dumping their employees into them, like NY.
This morning in the State of RI, 2 lawmakers, Democrats, are trying to pass a law to stop insurance companies from forcing PC doctors to have referrals that insurance companies deny.
In this state there's a shortage of PC. What person would want to raise their family in a state that has a shortage of PC Drs and the Dr spends more time fighting for referrals than serving the right care to their patients. If this goes into law, it won't be until July 2026. So many people will die before then but RI lucky if they can pass it🙏
That would be wonderful! Now to confirm is it referrals or prior auths? Those are 2 different things and I want to make sure we’re on the same page. Prior auths are what gets denied all the time.
My only fear with that is then the insurance companies jack up premiums and deductible to cover the loss of money.
Thank you for sharing your info on the Medicare advantage killing companies. I worked my whole life and now retired. I pay $175 a month for this deadly monopoly that has used and abused most of us. With a criminal traitor driving our country down the street, we are F****d!
The lobbiest and greedy millionaires & billionaires running our country. Our government could not help the American people because Republicans refused to work with Democrats when President Obama came in office. Moscow Mitch McConnell kept his promise on not working with Pres Obama and would never have a sit down meeting with him. Politicians never worried about their medical, they have the best of the best and we pay for them. Money talks and bullshit walks. I'm no bullshit, it's frustrating and angers me that our country has turned on the less fortunate and people with chronic illnesses including babies and children. Politicians children will always have the righteous care never worrying about the money to pay for their medical expenses. And with a coward tyrant that never worked a hard day's job, kept his wig in place, wearing makeup and insulting every American that does not agree with his rapes, frauds, stealing, not paying his employees, stealing from every American, and most likely never had to pay for medical insurance or the families cosmetic surgery. They lie, bully, and just grab it, they take it, it's just like how he grabs women genitalia.
We all know it's going to get worse, DJT plan, along with Musk, and Putin is to have a new World Order. The Guardian had an article months ago and some media outlets mentioned it 2 days ago. For the sick and under privileged Americans, they don't want you alive. They feel you're using up to much money that they can't pocket, the ins. Companies don't want to invest a penny into your survival, and they'll be checking who registered as a Democrat or Republican. If you are a Democrat they don't want you to vote. They sick! The CEOs of medical insurance companies are just as sick, evil, fucks!
With the criminal, richest ppl, and the corrupt weak Republican party, our medical system is going to be blatantly corrupt, more than now and none of us can do a thing about it. People say hold on for 4 yrs, why? DJT stated months ago that no one has to worry about voting agains once he wins and Rep Ogle from Tennessee wants to get rid of the 14th amendment. Why? So DJT can take another term. We have no guardrails, DJT took control of Congress and ignores the rules of our constitution.
Putins propaganda has worked with the help of the traitor in charge & the Republicans that were running around spreading Putins bullshit. The proof is in the Putin.
I apologize for carrying on, your information is very important and your truth is means so much. You explained everything so people that are not sure know now the facts. You are working for the devil and kudos to you for being honest. Without people like you speaking the truth gives me hope that good, caring compassionate people are here helping others.
And I just signed on to Medicare advantage, uh, now I'm going to buckle up and fight them, I'll call my local news, I'll call everyone and cause a stir, I am retired & have all the time in the world to drive them crazy & hopefully make them sick! Sick of me that is 😇😁
Why did you choose Medicare Advantage. They don’t pay for anything. Probably because they make it cheaper on the front end. No judgement. Just a question
They made it seem better than the other choices, they covered Rx's, as of last Friday, I had an unexpected issue, I'm getting prepared for them to deny me MRI, Vascular surgeon, etc, and other tests. Our health system has been a monopoly, it always baffled me that we are the richest country and the one country that charges outrageous prices for everything. A few years back, about 2 to 3 decades, I had surgery and was in the hospital for 5 days, I was looking over the bill that the hospital had charged my insurance, they charged me $10.00 for "ONE" Tylenol.... One damn Tylenol!
I can only imagine how much One extra Strength Tylenol cost today. The insurance companies take their time paying our doctors to.
They make it so confusing, they promise you the best of their coverage and rewards ppl with $60 and up to $75 a month with a B/C B/S debt card. I did ask B/C, " ok, what's the catch? No one gifts their clients debt cards monthly or quarterly, so why?
The answer was, well B/C knows that most people can use the extra help especially senior citizens like yourself, you can use towards healthy foods, eye wear, even utility bills. They made it sound absolutely delicious but I know there's a catch somewhere. They make it sound so easy but it is confusing. What choices do we have? They're all tied together. I'm already having buyers regret..
Basically that’s how they get you. All those extra perks are great until you get ill and need your health insurance. And Medicare/fully insured is actually more regulated than commercial, so you can imagine how horrible people have it when they get it through their employer. Medicare also has a specific fee limit so the provider can’t charge over that amount. It’s all a scam.
I guess I have been lucky, had original M C and my own part c and d . Though I'm having a problem with my part d from wellcare they approved two meds that are 3rd tier. I get two approval letters that are dated 1/31/25 to 12/31/25 on from 1/28/25 so I'm thinking I'm covered same day I get two denied letters for the same drugs dated 1/29/25 so am I screwed or what?
Thank you Ana. I feel your pain unfortunately insurance companies have turn themselves into nessasary evils 😈 as far as I'm concerned. I hate them all equally but try living in our country without them. I've thought M A plans were a scam and united health care always sounded to good to be true to me so thank you for your information and confirmation of this.