Medical Care Indecision


A satisfied subscriber for several years, I am upset that AARP United PPO, a Medicare Advantage plan, has dropped two of my doctors, leaving me scrambling.

And even though I don't need them at this time, I am very upset that Moffitt Cancer Center has been dropped. And now we learn The Center for Retina and Macular Disease has been dropped.

After spending hours doing research on the computer, I am no closer to making the decision on a new plan because you can't get a straight answer. Even if you talk to an agent, you get spin.

I am relatively young, healthy and I worked in a hospital setting where I was made aware of insurance companies deciding that the patient wasn't really that sick, and really didn't need to be in the hospital any longer, despite what the doctors said.

I recall one insurance rep telling me, "That's all the patient paid for, so he shouldn't expect anything more."

How sad that, as Americans age, our system makes it so difficult for us to buy insurance. Reps really push HMOs, which restrict doctors. Now the PPOs are similarly restricting doctors.

It is interesting that 2012 figures show that United Health Group revenues of $110.6 billion were up 9 percent over the previous year.


Winter Haven


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