Humana's Medicare Scare Called Out

Submitted by Diane Farsetta on

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking a closer look at insurance giant Humana. Humana sent alarming mass mailings to people enrolled in one or more of its plans. The Humana letters claim that health care reform proposals under consideration by Congress could hurt "millions of seniors and disabled individuals [who] could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare advantage health plans so valuable." CMS demanded that Humana cease "immediately all such mailings to Medicare plan members and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your website." CMS also warned companies offering Medicare-related plans that official mailings on plan benefits must be reviewed by CMS, and that communications "claim[ing] to convey legitimate Medicare program information ... but instead offer[ing] misleading and/or confusing opinion and conjecture" are likely violations of federal rules. Earlier this year, the public relations firm Dewey Square Group sent fake letters to the editor in seniors' names, arguing against funding cuts for the private Medicare Advantage plan. Dewey Square was working for America's Health Insurance Plans.

Main Source: 
Huffington Post, September 21, 2009
Topics: 
Astroturf
Corporations
Health

Comments

Aaron V replied on

The last I heard 500 amendments have been proposed to the Baccus (insurance company hired gun) plan. The letter sent by Humana is based on speculation and is a scare tactic pure and simple. Too bad because Humana, is actually one of the most ethical group of insurance companies in operation. Although being one of the best of the of the worst isn't saying a whole lot.

Anonymous replied on

This from one of our online community boards. Thanks be I have BC/BS.
"In December a Humana agent came to my house and presented Humana's Medicare plan to my wife and I. We decided to take the insurance. We wanted the medicard parts A and B plus part D(drug coverage) That was all we were supposed to get.There should be no extra charges. After the agent left our home he signed us up with dental( we have dentures),a medicare suppliment and a vision plan. We did not know this until we got our social security letter showing the change. They took $223.60 out of my Social Security check and $243.60 out of my wife's check. Thats $467.20 out of our checks for one month. We called Social Security and Medicare but they will not help. If you are a senior and take out insurance, be sure what the agent actually turns in to social security, especially be careful if it's Humana. Calling the company does not help. I even called the agents cell phone but he will not answer and leaving messages does not work either. Be careful. If the person says they c an do it on their computor, say no. Make them give you a hard copy of all documents. Do not get took like we did........ "

Anonymous replied on

THAT SALESMAN IS INTERESTED IN GETTING HIS SHARE OF THE COMMISION.HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN THOSE RETIRED PEOPLE'S INTEREST. IT MAKES ME SICK TO HEAR OF HOW BIG BUSINESS STOMPS ON THE WORKING PEOPLE AND SENIORS WITHOUT ANY PROSECUTION OR PENALTIES. IF A PERSON GRABS A LOAF OF BREAD IN A STORE AND RUNS OUT OF THE STORE WITH IT,HE GETS CHASED DOWN BY THE LAW AND TOOK TO JAIL.NEXT DAY,THE LOCAL PAPER WILL HAVE HIS NAME AND WHAT HE DID WRONG IN THEIR PAPER AND WHY HE WAS ARRESTED. BUT THE FANCY SLICK TALKING INSURANCE THIEF SALESMAN RUNS BACK TO HIS OFFICE WAITING FOR HIS COMMISION ON HIS POLICIES SOLD. THEN HE PLANS FOR HIS NEXT VICTIM TO VISIT AND RIPOFF.WAKE UP AMERICA,BIG BUSINESS IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO STEALING,LYING AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OUR CITIZENS.

Anonymous replied on

This company should be checked out it is awful insurance. Nothing but bad experience.

Anonymous replied on

Think long and hard about using Humana. They keep raising there prices yet drop many, many medications they covered for years. They also switched my plan without informing me that it was taking place. PLEASE December hurry and get here so Humana can kiss my you know what. IF you want good coverage and a decent price do NOT enroll in Humana.

Sandra Farris replied on

I am 70 years old and have type 2 diabetes. On a Saturday I was having trouble breathing and pains in my chest. I had been coughing a lot and was afraid I had pneumonia or a heart attack. I went to Urgent Care and found out I had bronchitis and an ear infection. Humana turned down the claim saying I didn't have a doctor's referral. I called them and said it was a Saturday and the doctor's office was closed. They then sent me an Explanation of Benefits saying that it wasn't urgent and they weren't going to pay for it. I got a bill from the doctor who treated me in Urgent Care and I called them saying that I was appealing the decision and they told me that Humana was turning down just about all the claims and it was causing a hardship for them because they were having to collect the money from the patient. I can't wait to change insurance.