Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15-Dec. 7. At this time especially, seniors are targeted with a ceaseless barrage of TV advertising for Medicare Advantage plans. These commercials mislead the viewer, but at least they obviously originate from the insurance companies that stand to profit if you purchase an MA plan, which is private insurance with a limited network of providers.
MA has always been more costly to the taxpayer than traditional Medicare. The problems experienced by patients under MA are detailed in my letter to The Hinsdalean of Nov. 9, 2023, titled “What the ads for Medicare Advantage don’t tell you.” Also not disclosed in the ads is the fact that brokers receive a commission twice as high for selling an MA plan.
This year, the sales pitch for Medicare Advantage has not been limited to obvious advertising for profit. A letter has just gone out to area residents displaying the letterhead “UChicagoMedicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook GlenOaks Hinsdale La Grange,” and signed “Your UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Care Team.” That’s right, this “health care” entity includes what we call Hinsdale Hospital. Under the names of our trusted local hospitals, the letter proceeds to advertise an insurance “advisor” called Chapter and the Essence MA program, all in language no more forthcoming with the whole truth about MA and the financial incentive for brokers than the commercials seen on TV.
UChicagoMedicine should divest from MA and publicly apologize for promoting it. Nothing less would conform with their oath to “do no harm.” — Linda Burke, Hinsdale
