One of the nation’s largest private health insurers, Humana, warned their elderly customers that a federal overhaul of health care “could eliminate benefits to millions of seniors and disabled individuals” and offered to sell them more expensive Medicare plans. At issue was a mailing to patients enrolled in Humana’s Medicare Advantage plan. Read their mailing here.
Medicare Advantage costs the government more and is a prime target for cuts in the health care overhaul proposals. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid sent a cease and desist order to Humana and warned other private health insurers not to attempt to try anything similar. CMS was concerned that the information was misleading and confusing to patients and appeared to be an official communication about the Medicare program.
Naturally, the insurance industry trade group America’s Health Insurance Plans expressed outrage at the government’s action and issued yet another tirade against health care reform. Insurance reform of all types is desperately needed- in health care as well as liability, medical malpractice, property and casualty- you name it. It is a shame that giant insurance conglomerates stoop to scare tactics, especially directed at seniors to achieve their political goals and continue the status quo.
Health insurers continue to rake in billions of dollars in profits each year. Increased competition and insurance options is what will reduce premiums, increase benefits and enlarge access to medical care. Scare tactics have resulted in consumers losing many of their litigation rights in the areas of products liability, medical malpractice, worker’s compensation and punitive damages. Without these checks and balances on insurers, manufacturers and large corporations, the little guy, including the elderly are the ultimate losers.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
