160 Comments
User's avatar
Rev. Dr. Beth Krajewski's avatar

Where's AARP? They should be a loud and powerful voice in this fight!

Marge Wherley's avatar

They are tied to United Healthcare- one of the most dishonest Medicare Disadvantage corporations.

Rev. Dr. Beth Krajewski's avatar

They are the apex predators of denials of care!! (United, that is.)

Bootrix's avatar

I also included that in my letter that i sent because tv Dr. Oz has been pushing for Medicare advantage plans longer than he's been in government

Bootrix's avatar

Yes AARP is a supplemental insurance to original Medicare the UHC advantage plan is a program of all its own. I also wrote to AARP in DC to get them on board

Marge Wherley's avatar

They promote United Healthcare (Dis)Advantage exclusively - which is being sanctioned for denying care to maximize profits.

Nancy's avatar

AARP has ties to UHC’s advantage and supplemental plans. I have the supplement, with which I have had no problems. I would never have an advantage plan. Until we reach the point where that’s all that’s available, which is what I fear.

Marge Wherley's avatar

That is my fear also. I have a complex inflammatory disease and if I’m forced onto Medicare (Dis)advantage, I’ll be dead. Whether from the illness itself or suicide because I can’t live with the pain remains to be seen.

Nancy's avatar

I’m sorry to hear about your condition; I wish you well. I have friends with advantage plans, and so far they seem to be happy with them. When they were shopping I was vocal in my opinion, but they made their choice. Based on another friend’s experience (she is now deceased), I had told them that such plans are fine until you actually get sick. Then you’re pretty much on your own.

Bootrix's avatar

I've never seen aarp do that

jill_uss's avatar

I quit AARP because all I got was UNITED Healthcare promotion. I said, where are our discounts, none. Outrageous monthly premiums and pushing Advantage plans, I will write my Senators and Congressional Rep, we don't want AI making denial policy for health care.

RiverLoverDuluth's avatar

AARP (the not-for profit organization) does not charge monthly premiums. You must be confusing AARP with AARP-UHC Advantage health insurance plans and/or AARP-UHC Supplemental Plans. You can be an AARP member for a small annual fee and you certainly do not need to buy health insurance through AARP-UHC to be a member of AARP. You do get many discounts as an AARP member (for example, at hotels and other businesses) similar to the kinds of discounts you might get as an AAA member. The organization (AARP) is an effective voice for seniors, and it does good advocacy work on many fronts (not just healthcare). It might be better if AARP did not actually associate themselves with any health insurance company at all, considering the confusion this seems to be causing some folks.

Marge Wherley's avatar

It’s the Medicare disadvantage that has led to them being subjected to large fines.

Diva's avatar

You are right. They are in bed with the enemy

Earthgirl's avatar

All Health insurance company’s conduct their business in that field of dishonesty and it’s for their power, control, money. It’s not care oriented. The care’ comes from clinicians in healthcare- insurance would rather deny most claims

Donna Girard's avatar

How many seniors, sick,disabled and children have to die ? As we watch the callous disregard for those dying in Ukraine, Gaza and so many other places in the world why would they care about US citizens? So much blood on their hands.

Susan Evens's avatar

They are worthless. Prior to the election they ran articles from Harris and Trump with ZERO comments on the lies he told

Rev. Dr. Beth Krajewski's avatar

They and so many others, of course

phelpsmediation's avatar

When are we all going to join with Senator Sanders and all progressive members of Congress and DEMAND healthcare as a right. The USA is the only modern nation that doesn’t provide healthcare as a right. All those other countries have NO healthcare bankruptcy and the USA had 530,000 last year. The reality is when you take the profit out of healthcare it is less expensive to provide. No 10 million dollar salaries for CEOs and NO thousands of people being paid to deny your healthcare needs, so they can make more money off your illness or injuries.

Jeaneen Stephansky's avatar

Every day there's something new and terrible to be concerned about with the Trump regime. My husband and I are both 74 with significant health problems. Now we have to be worried about our Medicare coverage!

Jean Janes's avatar

AARP seems to be financially indebted to United Health Care. An obvious conflict of interest.

DBF89's avatar

Democrats: ICE goes or you do!! Do not fund ICE.

Congress is passing the FY 2026 appropriations bills —the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill (which includes ICE) has not yet been approved.

Call your rep (especially Democrats)

SIMPLE MESSAGE: ICE goes or you do!!

Radha Nichole Smith's avatar

In a marriage with the monstrous United Healthcare Insurance.

Insurance = Fraud and Scam. It’s been thus since Venetian Republic invented maritime insurance.

Vic's avatar

They’ve fallen! To the dark side.

Sue W.'s avatar

Yeah, right. AARP is just another conservative pac.

Rev. Dr. Beth Krajewski's avatar

Didn't used to be... 😐

dave mitchell's avatar

Fuck they are a shill for united health care,pay attention please

Vicky Martina Alexandra Hughes's avatar

AARP leadership had changed!

KJ's avatar

I went to the dr office yesterday for my preop visit for cataract surgery.

Mind you, I was a surgeon at this hospital.

There was a form that they wanted me to sign that made me financially responsible for any charges that “insurance” didn’t cover.

WTF, I am being charged $600 a month for my Medicare premium. I am straight regular Medicare, not the BS advantage.

So when I declined to sign the form, I was told that I wouldn’t get surgery.

Yeah, death panels sound about right.

Just adds insult to injury…

Welcome to tRump’s Amerikkka.

Jeaunice P's avatar

I’m 1st yr on original Medicare. I had blood work done in March. Since they said it was unauthorized blood work, Dr orders it, tgat I must pay it and that I signed something saying I knew that! I called my supplemental company AFLAC and they informed me since denied by Medicare they can’t pay any of it. So I’m to cough up 280/mo in premiums and pay for labs $890 then any actual treatment. Truly peeved.

KJ's avatar

You can now buy lab tests directly online. It is cheaper than trying to get labs from Medicare.

Sue W.'s avatar

Just do self pay. It's cheaper than the premiums and having a pencil pusher decide your treatment.

Michele Mudrak's avatar

Did you actually sign a waiver, called an Advance Beneficiary Notice? DO YOU HAVE A COOY OF YOUR SIGNED WAIVER??

Kathleen Bryson's avatar

So sorry for your problems. These EFFING MONSTERS must bevstopped!!!

😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡🤬😡

Earthgirl's avatar

So you Medicare supplement is ia standard part B plan from AFLAC… I didn’t know they sold/ were underwriters for Medicare part B plans, like united health, Anthem, etc. you must have a very large income to have to pay $600/ month. Mines increasing from $189 to $202 in 2026. But to your problem of ‘prior authorization’ - maybe it was because of the specific lab work required ( required by pre op admissions maybe? ) or was it

A diagnostic lab test?

It REALLY needs to

Be more transparent. The whole ABCD - It’s sooo complicated and many people get screwed at every uneducated choice they make

Earthgirl's avatar

I’d put this scenario of prior authorization of labs ordered the Dr back into the Dr office because they would have the means to learn & know if Medicare will pay or if THEY NEEDED TO REQUEST A PRIOR AUTHORIZATION BEFORE DOING IT- TO KERP YOU INFORMED.

ALSO- It is well

Within your right and your responsibility to ALWAYS ASK MEDICARE IF THE DR OTDERS ARE COVERED BY MEDICARE ( THEY HAVE A MANUAL THATS FOLLOWED). Im soo sorry but I’m sure you will not make this mistake again.

Randy S. Eisenberg's avatar

Who was the first to say “they want you to get sick and die”? I think it may have been awhile ago, but it just got one step closer to being on a propaganda poster.

Earthgirl's avatar

Get sick and die is what they want esp for a chunk of those with disability and chronic diseases. They want to rid financial Overhead and also cull the gene pool to make it white blonde and blue eyed.

Patricia Knouse's avatar

$600 ? Wow. I’m under$200.

Catherine Dowdell's avatar

Rate is tied to income.

KJ's avatar

True that, but it looks at the income made the prior year.

As a surgeon, if I don’t cut, I don’t eat.

Have I saved money?

I am not getting my social security payments yet, cause they changed the rules and now I must be 67.

I knew the Medicare system before Oz and all the other grifters.

Now, signing a piece of paper like that will allow seniors to be billed directly for ANYTHING that they don’t pre authorize.

Bye, bye savings.

Bye Bye life

Get fucked trump.

Get fucked Oz

Hatred of 10 trillion super novas is directed to the degenerate republicans and all the MAGAs who are destroying the USA for Amerikkka.

PATRICIA FARRENKOPF's avatar

My rent was more than half of my SS income. I applied for Extra Help in 2018 and was rejected. I finally received a letter Nov 2024 stating I have been approved for Extra Help, effective 1/1/25. It pays your Medicare premium and lowers your Rx Copay. I received another letter in August 2025 stating I’m no longer eligible for Extra Help. SS is my only income. It did not increase between Jan-Sept 2025. My SNAP monthly benefit was reduced Feb 2023 by 60%. My SS and Medicare began when I became disabled at 55 from a work injury that aggravated pre-existing spinal issues. Aetna Med Advantage made me wait almost 6 mos for authorization for an MRI.

K Starr's avatar

My mother pays $493 per month for Medicare. With my mom (age 97) the price of Medicare depended on her Tax Returns from 2022.

BluPeople Forever's avatar

A lot is going on in the medical field besides care… We are being sabotaged.

BluPeople Forever's avatar

I ask before a ANY procedure.. is it approved? .. INFORM BILLING

UP FRONT.. GET APPROVED BEFORE PROCEDURE. Beware of “ care coordinator program” . I was told ins paid all… but when I felt the monthly call useless.. & told them I didn’t need a care call… I received a bill- never had received any bill over a year of monthly calls, until I ask for no more calls… $600 bill .. for a monthly care call that was useless.. BEWARE of CARE CALLS— a scam

Rudy Says's avatar

That is what I agree to to make a standard checkup appointment. If insurance is rejected they cancel the appointment.

Pat McLuckie's avatar

Why do you pay so much for Medicare every month? I don't have nearly that high a monthly charge.

Earthgirl's avatar

The Medicare ( health insurance ) payment is based on income in the 1 or 2 year prior. It’s called IRMA. There are tax and income strategies for when to take your social security income, 401k, 403b, other work income if working while taking soc security, to help avoid over taxation of income Should talk to a certified financial planner/ fiduciary - no matter how much or little you have saved or will receive.

KJ's avatar

IDK, they sent me a paper showing me what Medicare costs are deducted on a monthly basis.

Earthgirl's avatar

Medicare will bill or auto deduct part A from your soc security. A lot of people who stop working lose health insurance so must start paying for Medicare before they take social security. Medicare health insurance requires payment for part A ( mine increased from $192/ mo to $202/mo in 2026. PLUS MUST GET A PART B PLAN- mine is $191/ month. AND A PART D ( DRUG), plan. Annually you are required to pay 1st $200 ish before A & B start applying.

Pat Reiss's avatar

I got denied my annual mammogram yesterday! I'm so pissed off!! The fight is not over!

Amber Meriam's avatar

Wait until you read Public Law 11-314 and the biotech experimenting we are doing in Houndras while the FDA is being plowed down so Elon Musk can install plastic chips in people's brains in the name of science! At least there will be AI to read to me when I go blind because I skip my surgery about how the turbines are changing people's cells in TN for Grok.

Anastasia's avatar

Look at the shit they're spending money on. A Ballroom, $50,000 sign on for new ICE recruits, bonuses, flyovers, payouts, tariffs. National Guard where they're unnecessary. The list goes on. It's f-ing maddening!

Mary Coughlan's avatar

They’re spending OUR money on….

Muse Tutor's avatar

THis is not normal. This is NOT normal. THIS is not normal. This is not NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL THis is not normal. This is NOT normal. THIS is not normal. This is not NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMALTHis is not normal. This is NOT normal. THIS is not normal. This is not NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL THis is not normal. This is NOT normal. THIS is not normal. This is not NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL

Kathryn Born's avatar

And writing to congress is not going to change anything.

And writing to congress is not going to change anything.

And writing to congress is not going to change anything.

And writing to congress is not going to change anything.

Muse Tutor's avatar

I know for a fact it personally helped me.

I know for a fact when I write factual reviews in google of local businesses - things improve

When you write a letter correctly - point out good things in first paragraph. Then outline how you want current problem solved and give 3 actions you will legally take if things do not improve And CC ( courtesy copy) to regulating authorities/ competitors/ local media.

Also with congress- you call their LOCAL state office. Their office staff become aware they are working for a sinking ship or a buoyant one. MTGreene recently confessed she lost ALL OF HER STAFF 5 times over in the last 6 years because of so many calls and letters to her GA offices.

Kathryn Born's avatar

Thank you for writing. On a small, local scale, sure- but (see my substack) - look at how this HASN'T worked with United Healthcare denials that lead directly to death. Thousands of people have literally died because a corporate practice ISN'T illegal. And people are fighting individual claims in court (bankrupting the families with legal fees in the process) but not one organization - not one - is actually trying to outlaw it.

So yes, I had a rental car

that claimed to be $300 and charged me $1200. Did a simple chargeback and got $700 back in minutes. For little things, fine, but not for big change against insurance or big pharma.

I'll be writing about my experiences as a whistleblower and my lawsuit and... we are martyrs. We never get our lives back.

What we are doing is not working. We need a new plan.

Muse Tutor's avatar

Subscribe and pay $40 a month for a lawyer on retainer LEGAL SHIELD. They resolve MOST all consumer probs. Also I contact WITH EVIDENCE to my local city tv news that have Consumer investigation weekly pieces. They RESOLVE 100%. Even with healthcare. Exposing the biz to multi medias IS THE KEY. We got the mayor to find private funding to keep all 5 LA city animal shelters because the volunteers United and did a blitzkrieg in the media. When Mayor Karen Bass was Campaigning to get elected we invited ALL CANDIDATES to a press conference at one city shelter. Bass and 1 other guy (out of 7 candidates) showed up. Bass promised to resolve problems. We got her on camera.

It took 6 months into her term- Los Angeles was on fire in Jan 2025 when she just became mayor — so we had all her contacts. We showed up at town Halls and waited hours to stand up and ask question.

She got the funding.

It is constant babysitting and following up

I had a lawyer write a “ knock on the door” letter to Petsmart for horrific dog trainer I had to do all the groundwork for the lawyer. Get the key HQ people’s names and addresses. CC it to all the dog training regulatory agencies.

Within a month I got a refund check worth 5 times the classes.

I had to expose the UCLA gynecology oncology dept! That took me 5 months of investigations. Today we have EASY and DIRECT ways to find all we need instantly. Key is TO KNOW SEARCH TERMS

Denial of insurance claims. Have you even looked up WIKIHOW? (I used to work for them as an IC You must prove your resolution methods work. Wikihow only offers WORKING solutions)

https://www.wikihow.life/Write-a-Medical-Claim-Appeal-Letter

Aquarius Cat's avatar

Normal is not a strong enough reason. Stealing is appropriate. Like saying, my purse was stolen, this is not normal.

DBF89's avatar

Voting out Democrats who allow ICE funding will!

Democrats: ICE goes or you do!! Do not fund ICE.

Congress is passing the FY 2026 appropriations bills —the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill (which includes ICE) has not yet been approved. Call your rep (especially Democrats)

SIMPLE MESSAGE: ICE goes or you do!!

Robert Davis's avatar

With the Federal Income Contribution Act (FICA), we all paid 15.3% of our income throughout our working years to pay for Medicare and Social Security, so not a handout! AI has great potential, but how it works in Medicare depends on how fair the programming is. IT guys know how to manipulate the algorithms to sway “clinical” decisions, with their incentives to enrich themselves allowing them to pick our pockets at will.

Kathryn Born's avatar

Exactly. If the goal were health, the AI would be great at improving outcomes- but that's not the goal - the goal is profit and cost cutting. So if that's the goal, then the outcomes suffer.

Julie's avatar

I saw someone say the other day and I agree, AI is why they are actively trying to kill us. If they develop and depend on AI, they won’t need humans to work for them. If they don’t need us, they don’t care if we live or die. It makes sense. Now they are using this to determine if our elderly and disabled get medical care? It’s disgusting. They only value us if they can use us.

Sharon Armstrong's avatar

Interesting. It certainly seems to point in this direction. Also, scared, sick, hungry people are easier to control.

Kathryn Born's avatar

Insurance companies are like a cancer that doesn't realize that when it truly takes over the host, we all die.

It's inevitable that the money will get taken from billionaires.

Julie's avatar

I hope that I live long enough to see it Kathryn. So many people think that we need billionaires. The truth is that they’ve stolen from the rest of us for decades and are using our money to our detriment. I agree. It will happen. It’s a matter of when, not if. They should have paid more attention in history class.

Macphoto1's avatar

The dumbest administration in our history, the one that is technically illiterate, has jumped into using AI everywhere and they have no idea what they are doing! This will be a total disaster.

Megan Rothery's avatar

Use/share this spreadsheet (bit.ly/Goodtrouble) as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to those in your own state, and those in a committee that fits your topic. Call. Write. Email. Protest. Unrelentingly. We deserve better ❤️‍🩹🤍💙

Beth Ann Ragle's avatar

Amen.

Thank you for the tip!

Barbara Faigen's avatar

Another way to kill older Americans, straight out of the Project 2025 playbook. Goes right along with RFK Jr’s destroying HHS. Millions will die and they will profit.

Lisa Houck's avatar

CALL your legislators! Much more impactful than email. Speak to a human staffer. Let them hear you as you voice your opposition to this bullshit. If you get shunted to voicemail, leave a strong message. Even better: stop in to the office. That REALLY shakes them up.

Barbara Rainey's avatar

Powerful information. Every senior citizen is know they want to eventually kill us before our to pay a billionaire owned business the money we should be using for medical care. AI doesn’t have any knowledge about health care only about making money for the business that will cause suffering and death for us. This is more than outrageous it’s criminal.

G.G.'s avatar

This makes me so angry! DEEPLY disappointed in “Dr Oz”! We’ve paid into the system & now they want to kill us off & keep our premiums! Please, give me 5 minutes with that taint trump & I’ll prep him for HELL. Then give me 5 more minutes with “Dr Oz” & then call his wife to pick up what’s left of him! Enough already! These poor excuses for humans need removal like a cancerous tumor! 😡🤬

Donna's avatar

They smile as they destroy us…

BJ Zamora's avatar

When will Republicans realize that their Republican leaders, and especially their Great Orange Master, care only for business and profit and not America’s citizens like them?

Beth Reuben's avatar

And there are all his f-ing trained seals applauding the village idiot 😡

Bootrix's avatar

i have faxed your writing to the Dems in Washington DC to the ones that I have fax numbers for as well as a personal story on how this will affect me because I am a Medicare recipient.

Beth Ann Ragle's avatar

I am a Medicare recipient also.

Bootrix's avatar

call you representative and let them know how this will affect you as a Medicare recipient

Beth Ann Ragle's avatar

I did just that!

Thanks!

Beth Ann Ragle's avatar

Thank you for your reminder!!!