There are a number of ways people are lured into signing up for Health Maintenance Organizations or HMOs. The best method so far is advertising or rather misleading advertising, in which HMOs appear to offer more than they actually deliver. I think this is one of the reasons why organizations like the Health Administration Responsibility Project exist.
One indicator of such misleading marketing tactics is when the offered plan is just too good to be true. And because of the implementation of ‘lock-in’ rule, wherein beneficiaries are not allowed to switch plans; all the more that this misleading advertising poses a great threat to the public than ever before.
Here are some marketing tactics HMOs use to lure beneficiaries to sign up for coverage:
- Unlimited prescription drug coverage. Consumers must be warned about this unlimited generic and brand name prescription drug coverage offer by several HMOs. The ‘unlimited’ catch is misleading since most HMOs cover only medications listed on a formulary or preferred drug lists.
- Better than Original Medicare. Some medical plans are actually offering more benefits than Medicare but they are not really for free. They come at a cost.
- $0 Premium offer. Plans often boast of a $0 premium while in fact individuals are required to pay their Medicare Part B premiums, done monthly at $78.20.
There are I guess a lot more, but the point here is that beneficiaries should really be on-guard against these marketing tactics. A nationwide list of healthcare specialist attorneys is available for those who might need some assistance in this particular issue.
Popularity: 79% [?]
December 15th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
We deal with individuals being “ripped off” by their monthly HMO fee’s all the time. It is important to ask questions and run the numbers yourself
March 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
In the past two years alone, Medicare HMOs have dumped 75O,000 seniors who proved unprofitable. HMOs have recruited seniors by routinely misleading them about benefits. This year, Medicare HMOs are dramatically scaling back the prescription drug coverage that lured many seniors into HMOs in the first place. A four-year study of quality of care by John Ware, published in the October 2,1996, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that seniors were more likely to decline in health under HMO care than in the traditional Medicare program. Yet, instead of recognizing the failures of Medicare privatization, the Heritage Foundation and its allies in Congress push on.
While traditional Medicaid is a program of uneven quality, with large variations by state, the record of for-profit HMOs in treating Medicaid patients has clearly been worse. Florida officials banned twenty-one of the state’s twenty-nine Medicaid HMOs from expanding enrollment several years ago after systematic abuse of patients was uncovered not by state auditors but by courageous investigative reporters at a local newspaper. These HMOs used fraudulent marketing tactics (for instance, telling patients they would lose their Medicaid if they didn’t enroll), delivered poor-quality care, disenrolled sick patients, and spent up to 70 percent of program costs on overhead and profits.
April 15th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Who is to promote the privatization of medical insurance?
April 20th, 2009 at 4:06 am
May I ask also Who is to promote the privatization of medical insurance?
Waiting for the answer. Thanks.
Stephanie
May 18th, 2009 at 5:51 am
Very nice…
June 18th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Thanks for this tactics post you have shared on your blog. Keep Posting!!
LLC
August 19th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
HI,
Here you have posted very nice information about the particular topic, I really like it. It was great to know about Health Maintenance Organizations or HMO’s.
Anyways Thanks for sharing the valuable information.
December 6th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
My dad’s in the allied health field, and he has been dealing with HMO BS for WAY too long. Its actually the reason why I decided to not become a doctor (that, and organic chemistry…)
August 18th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
HMOs can be a pretty tricky beast. Thanks for the insight!
August 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am
When things seem to good to be true, they usually are… especially with HMO’s. Keep your eye’s open for such things my friends.
March 29th, 2013 at 11:55 pm
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out! I love what you guys are always up too. Such clever work and reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve added you guys to my blogroll. This is a great article thanks for sharing this informative information.. I will visit your blog regularly for some latest post.
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:56 am
ce un poste fantastique!
April 29th, 2013 at 4:20 am
Bling 3D Peacock Ocean Blue Crystal Diamond Rhinestone Hard Case Cover for iPhone 5
http://www.bestcellphonecase.com/iphone/bling-3d-peacock-ocean-blue-crystal-diamond-rhinestone-hard-case-cover-for-iphone-5.html
May 6th, 2013 at 2:34 am
A very impressive work. Carry on the truly amazing works folks I’ve added you to my personal blogroll. A great post! Thanks for sharing this particular informative post. medford attorney
May 11th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
It’s important to obtain a copy of your contract to read and review. Many times they are not sent unless requested. One may want to get a copy of the contract before signing up with a plan.
June 17th, 2013 at 3:08 am
nice post and beautiful nike shoes for you