Rich Old People Stuck on Medicare

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

High court rejects Medicare challenge

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has turned away a challenge from former House Majority Leader ####### Armey and other Social Security recipients who say they have the right to reject Medicare in favor of continuing health coverage from private insurers.

The justices did not comment Monday in letting stand a federal appeals court ruling that held that there is no way for people who receive Social Security to reject Medicare benefits.

Armey, a Texas Republican, and two other former federal employees say private insurance covers more than Medicare. Two other plaintiffs are wealthy individuals who have high deductible private insurance and prefer to pay for their health care.

The case was funded by a group called The Fund For Personal Liberty, which says its purpose is to take on burdensome government regulations.

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20130107/US.Supreme.Court.Medicare.Lawsuit/

[^_^ 5,021]

I don't understand. If you are Medicare eligible, don't you have the choice to simply not use it?

[Karee 4,189]

So basically a waste of time for the court system to try to prove some kind of point.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1357593761' post='5908147]I don't understand. If you are Medicare eligible, don't you have the choice to simply not use it?

Of course you do. You can always go to a doctor and pay cash. Or not go to the doctor and croak.

[^_^ 5,021]

Of course you do. You can always go to a doctor and pay cash. Or not go to the doctor and croak.

If you have private insurance, can't you use that too? Just use that card instead of your Medicare card. What am I missing?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[quote name=' timestamp='1357595183' post='5908205]If you have private insurance, can't you use that too? Just use that card instead of your Medicare card. What am I missing?

An agenda.

[BatmanUSA 105]

Most insurance policies have a clause that states that the private insurance will pay as secondary insurance when the insured is covered by Medicare..

When a person reaches their retirement age, (65..ish) and they collect social security.. they are automatically enrolled in Medicare part A, which has no monthly premium...

You have the option to enroll in Medicare part B, for a monthly fee...

part A covers hospitalization where part B covers office visits, ect...

I think that lawsuit was just some attempt to prove a point that wealthy retirees do not need Medicare. Medicare has low reimbursement rates so if a person uses private insurance the doctor will usually be paid more and the person (patient) may have a lower out of pocket expense...

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Most insurance policies have a clause that states that the private insurance will pay as secondary insurance when the insured is covered by Medicare..

Okay but:

Armey, a Texas Republican, and two other former federal employees say private insurance covers more than Medicare.

You can buy private coverage for whatever it is that Medicare does not cover. Problem solved.

Two other plaintiffs are wealthy individuals who have high deductible private insurance and prefer to pay for their health care.

You can always pay cash. Problem solved.

[BatmanUSA 105]

agreed...!

so why not allow people to opt out of Medicare..??

It seems that the system requires us to have Medicare (GOVERNMENT INSURANCE), and the government is first payor for elder healthcare.. regardless of means or wants...