Inflation and the rising cost of healthcare

You may have noticed that the price of everything is on an upward trend. This is likely to continue for some time. Unfortunately, healthcare is no exception. With the rising costs of healthcare, you really cannot afford to remain on original medicare. The risks are too great.

How original medicare works

Original medicare requires a copay and coinsurance for all services received. Although original medicare is not a networked plan and you can see any doctor that accepts medicare, with healthcare costs rising with inflation, you will be facing some impressive healthcare costs for any services received.

I really don’t want to have to receive referrals to see a specialist!

You’re in luck. Private Medicare Advantage plan providers, like Humana, now offer HMO plans that no longer require a referral to see a specialist in Georgia. This does not preclude situations where the specialist themselves requires a referral (i.e. pain specialist). With more and more HMO plan providers following suit there really are fewer reasons to stay with original medicare.

Transport, hearing, vision, and dental benefits are growing with inflation

A small percentage of Medicare Advantage users switch plans voluntarily every year. Generally, they are moving from one MAPD plan to another. This means it isn’t Medicare Advantage that they have a problem with, but the level of care provided with their specific plan. Most enrollees interviewed claimed they were seeking a higher level of coverage than they had in the previous year.

The second highest reason for a plan switch was the quality of care provided. Many plans offered today provide higher quality care. Additionally, they are offering OTB benefits and flex spending cards for things like healthy foods and first aid necessities. There are even some exciting new plans that are offering to reduce your monthly Part B premiums.

There is nothing we can do about inflation, but we can make changes to our healthcare that lessen the financial burden