THE PRIVATE PART OF MEDICARE

I noted below that the overhead rate of Medicare Part D is much higher than regular Medicare and now we have some evidence that the care provided under another private part of Medicare is sometimes inadequate.

Some Question Private Medicare Plans' Advantage
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: August 29, 2009

Filed at 10:55 a.m. ET

MIAMI (AP) -- Cecile Sangiamo liked her health insurance -- until she needed to use it.

The 72-year-old Clearwater, Fla., resident had been on the federally subsidized, privately run Medicare Advantage policy through WellCare Inc. for about three years when she started having pain that made it hard to walk.

Her doctor's referral to an orthopedic specialist was denied by the insurer. Her out-of-pocket costs were higher than she was initially told. And when Sangiamo needed surgery, she said, WellCare offered some unexpected medical advice.

''Take pills and use a walker,'' Sangiamo remembered being told by the insurer, which declined to comment on the case. ''I wanted to say, 'I'll take the walker and bang you in the head with it.'''

Participants have been denied visits to specialists, rehabilitation to help them walk again and countless other services they'd be entitled to under traditional Medicare.