The government is planning on reducing the funding for medicare Advantage plans to 100% of original Medicare. They had been receiving funding of up to 130% of original Medicare. Some plans will weather the cut and be all right while others will severely cut benefits, exit from some markets where they are not profitable. Yes, premiums will increase for some Medicare Advantage plans and say good bye to the zero premium plans. If there are any zero premium plans left, they will have much higher deductibles and co-payments. Most insurance companies operating MA plans would make up the funding cuts by passing the costs on to the consumers. I also suspect that in many more rural areas, there will be no MA plans available after the cuts in funding take place. You will see exactly what happens come September when the MA plans have to release their 2010 benefits

Have a great Holiday! Thanks for commenting on my photos. ~Sharlet



4th of July Comments and Graphics