What do you think Medicare's biggest flaw is?

Question

I have to write a paper about one of medicare's biggest issues.

1. What is Medicare's biggest issue?

2. What is 1 solution and give 2-3 reasons for the solution.

3. Give 2-3 reasons as to why this solution wouldn't work.

4. Reassess your solutions in light of part 3.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm supposed to write 10 pages on this. It's a tough topic. Any news articles or websites relating to the issue that you believe to be the biggest would help me so much. Thank You!

Answer 1

I used to sell Medicare as an insurance agent.  There are so many problems, it is really hard to pinpoint the biggest problem.  First, it is insurance.  And anyone who has a health insurance policy at all knows that they are hard to understand.  Medicare is the same.  But in addition, people do not understand that you can get Medicare from the government or you can get medicare from an insurance company (e.g. wellpoint/anthem, united healthcare, etc, etc).  

Then there is the fact that there is Part A (for hospital coverage), Part B (for doctor visit coverage) and Part D (for drug coverage).  On top of that, there are supplements you can buy to cover the expenses not covered by Part A or Part B.  Most people who have worked during their life don't pay for Part A (because they have already paid into it), but they pay a montly premium for Part B and Part D.  Of course, there are plans that offer different coverages and have different premiums.

All in all, I would say that Medicare can be very difficult to understand.  So, if you are 65 and it is the first time you are learning about it, it can be very, very confusing.  Because it is so confusing, many people end up buying supplements (at over $200/month) to cover their copays.  This, on top of your premiums for Part B and Part D can be very expensive for a retired person.

I don't know how much that helps, but hopefully, it gives you an idea of how Medicare works.

Answer 2

Medicare part D "donut hole" is ridiculous. And the most criticized portion of the Medicare Program.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Pa...

http://www.theangrypharmacist.com/archiv...

http://disabilityblogger.blogspot.com/20...

If you google "medicare part D donut hole" you will tons of results.

Answer 3

Medicare's biggest flaw is the same as most other third party payment system: the marginal cost of utilization to the user is next to nothing. Hence the user is not incented to use medical services economically.  

Answer 4

The biggest problem with Medicare is the politicians got involved, too many were let into the program coverage who contributed little to nothing to its premiums .