Scripps Medicare Advantage cuts also kill out-of-network access [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
Scripps began notifying about 32,000 beneficiaries Tuesday that, starting
Now covering about half of the nation's Medicare beneficiaries, the Advantage plan has been popular for lower up-front costs, with many plans not charging additional monthly premiums beyond the monthly basic Medicare fee charged by the government.
Citing revenues that do not cover costs, Scripps announced it would join a growing number of providers nationwide that are backing out of Medicare Advantage, and its decision left thousands across the region with a decision to make by the end of the year: Stay in Medicare Advantage and find a new doctor or switch to original Medicare and buy supplemental "Medigap" insurance, paying hundreds in extra monthly premiums.
But some immediately wondered if there was a third option. Today, the
For example, a PPO Medicare Advantage plan offered by health insurance giant
After two days where many in the
"Regarding the PPO question, enrollment is not open for patients to any individual Medicare Advantage plans where
Original Medicare, unlike Advantage, pays providers based on the specific services rendered rather than using "capitated" agreements that make global payments that put profits at risk.
She said her husband has been treated for three different cancers for the past 19 years, most recently receiving 28 radiation treatments at the
"Now we must start all over again looking for new oncologists at some other medical facility," Christiansen said. "
"Will it be without interruption to his care plan? How very stressful and very sad that Scripps is willing to lose over 32,000 senior patients, claiming that their Medicare Advantage plans to not pay Scripps enough money."
Asked Tuesday whether there were any exceptions for patients currently undergoing treatment for serious conditions such as cancer, Scripps chief executive officer
"This is an insurance issue," Van Gorder said Tuesday. "We'll carry on our care up until the point where the person has to select a different provider, and we will absolutely do everything we can to help transition that care to a different provider."
There may, however, be a way for those unable to afford the additional cost of supplemental Medicare insurance to maintain access to Scripps medical specialists.
A few Scripps groups, such as
"If someone switches over to Scripps Mercy they've still got, from my understanding, the ability to use a Scripps hospital," Gussin said. "They may just need to change a primary care provider, depending on a person's individual situation."
Tuesday, it was not clear whether or not health insurance companies would allow the thousands affected by the impending Scripps change to buy "Medigap" insurance to cover the 20 percent of outpatient medical bills that original Medicare does not cover.
The big issue is buying one of these plans without medical underwriting, the process where a plan can deny coverage if an applicant has pre-existing medical conditions.
"We are working to ensure all Californians have assess to high-quality healthcare, and this is one way we can do that," the company said in a statement.
The underwriting arrangement does not, however, include prescription drug plans which are also needed for those who switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare which does not have built-in medication coverage.
But this option, Gussin noted, gets more expensive with a person's age.
"If you're 65, plan G is
The well-known broker said his phone has been ringing constantly since the Scripps Medicare Advantage news broke. Most, he said, simply can't afford the additional monthly premiums.
"I'm guessing, from the phone calls I've received, probably 80 to 90 percent are going to have to find a different Medicare Advantage plan because they can't afford supplemental premiums," Gussin said.
This story originally appeared in
©2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Anthem, Mercy Health reach agreement to continue care, dismiss lawsuit
Bitwise ex-president won’t turn over her company-issued computer, Bankruptcy trustee says [The Fresno Bee]
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News