Small Biz Health Care Daily: Why is the Government Trying to Change Medicare Advantage?

By Victoria Braden

Medicare Advantage programs were enacted during the Bush administration in an attempt to prolong the life of Medicare by combining Medicare benefits with Medicare supplements in one plan – Medicare Advantage -- to be managed and distributed by private insurance companies.

With these plans came very detailed guidelines designed to protect the elderly from possible abuses by insurance companies that administer the plans and agents who sell the plans.

Even with these restrictions Medicare Advantage plans have been advantageous for the Seniors who opt into the plans, costing much less and providing far greater medical coverage than the base Medicare plan offered by the government.

If private companies can deliver Medicare benefits beyond what the government is offering and at a lower price, why would we ever consider turning over the entire healthcare system to the government?

Victoria Braden is President & CEO of Braden Benefits Strategies.
http://www.bradenbenefits.com/