Business Insight Medicare Part C? You probably have seen this advertising on TV hundreds of times. It promises tons of free and additional services comparing to the traditional Medicare Part A and B. Remember, nothing is free these days. Here is the major difference: Medicare Part A and B are sponsored by the US federal government. The funds you have been contributing for years of working hard (Medicare liabilities) are the source of the program. Medicare Part A and B cannot be changed unless the Congress changes them. Almost all doctors and medical facilities participate in the program and all providers are a subject to the government compliance. The program covers 80% of approved charges and providers cannot bill you for more unless you have services that are not medical but elective or cosmetic. Medicare Part C is NOT Medicare. It is a private insurance plan or plans that substitute Medicare Part A and B. In other words, you must resign of Medicare Part A and B if you decide to use Medicare Part C. That name is fully misleading, suggesting that programs come from the same source. They do not. Medicare Part C is, so called, Medicare Advantage, that is sponsored by the private insurance industry, with hundreds of options under various insurance companies like Humana, United Healthcare and alike. They all design the plans and act like a private insurance. The coverage and benefits under these plans vary and may be quite confusing. However, all of them share one concept: they follow the rules of private insurance field that is totally different that the government plans. The rules include separate contracting for doctors and facilities, limits of life- time coverage, limits on number of some procedures, and, if changes come to ACA ( Affordable Care Act), they may include pre- existing conditions. presented by Arlington Dermatology There might be situations and individuals for whom the private Medicare Advantage is optimal plan, but, in many cases, individuals who decide on selection become victims of clever salespeople. You do not see much of the Medicare Part A and B advertising. Why? Because 93% of money collected by Medicare run by the government goes back to seniors who utilize the plan. They do not have funds for expensive ads on TV. On the other hand, Medicare Advantage (or Medicare Part C), as a private business is supported by massive funds from private equity firms and other financial institutions, operating more in the money business than healthcare business. When you are ready to make a decision on selection of the most effective Medicare plan for you or your loved ones, you should seek assistance and advice from people who are not associated with any insurance agency or financial field. You should talk to people who are your medical providers; they work with all the plans daily and they know you as a patient. They connect the dots between your true medical care and the administration of the insurance business. You always want to make sure, especially if you see multiple providers, that your doctors will be able to continue caring for you. In summary, in your healthcare planning, YOU are the center of the world. Who makes money off you is the least of your concern. And do not believe in free 'stuff: Nothing is free these days. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight Medicare Part C ? You probably have seen this advertising on TV hundreds of times . It promises tons of free and additional services comparing to the traditional Medicare Part A and B. Remember , nothing is free these days . Here is the major difference : Medicare Part A and B are sponsored by the US federal government . The funds you have been contributing for years of working hard ( Medicare liabilities ) are the source of the program . Medicare Part A and B cannot be changed unless the Congress changes them . Almost all doctors and medical facilities participate in the program and all providers are a subject to the government compliance . The program covers 80 % of approved charges and providers cannot bill you for more unless you have services that are not medical but elective or cosmetic . Medicare Part C is NOT Medicare . It is a private insurance plan or plans that substitute Medicare Part A and B. In other words , you must resign of Medicare Part A and B if you decide to use Medicare Part C. That name is fully misleading , suggesting that programs come from the same source . They do not . Medicare Part C is , so called , Medicare Advantage , that is sponsored by the private insurance industry , with hundreds of options under various insurance companies like Humana , United Healthcare and alike . They all design the plans and act like a private insurance . The coverage and benefits under these plans vary and may be quite confusing . However , all of them share one concept : they follow the rules of private insurance field that is totally different that the government plans . The rules include separate contracting for doctors and facilities , limits of life time coverage , limits on number of some procedures , and , if changes come to ACA ( Affordable Care Act ) , they may include pre existing conditions . presented by Arlington Dermatology There might be situations and individuals for whom the private Medicare Advantage is optimal plan , but , in many cases , individuals who decide on selection become victims of clever salespeople . You do not see much of the Medicare Part A and B advertising . Why ? Because 93 % of money collected by Medicare run by the government goes back to seniors who utilize the plan . They do not have funds for expensive ads on TV . On the other hand , Medicare Advantage ( or Medicare Part C ) , as a private business is supported by massive funds from private equity firms and other financial institutions , operating more in the money business than healthcare business . When you are ready to make a decision on selection of the most effective Medicare plan for you or your loved ones , you should seek assistance and advice from people who are not associated with any insurance agency or financial field . You should talk to people who are your medical providers ; they work with all the plans daily and they know you as a patient . They connect the dots between your true medical care and the administration of the insurance business . You always want to make sure , especially if you see multiple providers , that your doctors will be able to continue caring for you . In summary , in your healthcare planning , YOU are the center of the world . Who makes money off you is the least of your concern . And do not believe in free ' stuff : Nothing is free these days . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net