Joe Namath and all his cronies pitching the 'call and get the benefits you're missing' Has anyone ever called and checked on these claims? I just applied for my social security and I can assure you the guy helping me at the SS office DID NOT offer me any inflated benefits, etc.

I think these ads are a way for a company to fleece the elderly (pay them a fee) to get these alleged "benefits"

Am I wrong??

False and misleading - not so much but in general it is the nature of advertising attract attention.

When we see a "lot" of ads that we are not interested in or not applicable we get annoyed.

Intentionally trying to "fleece" someone aka Joe Namath is not accurate.

So yes, I would categorize you as wrong, IMO.

It's just an ad.

quote:

I think these ads are a way for a company to fleece the elderly (pay them a fee) to get these alleged "benefits"

The ads do have a lot of hyperbole. But what you describe would be outright fraud, a criminal offense. I don't believe that. The real question should be - as with any insurance - how much benefit you get versus cost. Also, if I were to buy such insurance, it would be through a legitimate insurance company or licensed agent/broker, not from Joe Namath, Jimmie Walker or even William Shatner.

They're commercials for medicare advantage programs that are all in one - hospital, doctors, prescriptions and then some like dental benefits, money in your pocket, etc.

The companies offering these plans and spending money for the advertising aren't doing so out of charity but to make a profit. Companies make a profit when money coming in is greater than money coming out. The government isn't going to pay more to them than the government pays to any other plan and since they're supposedly not taking money from you, it's only one other thing they can manage to make sure money coming in is greater than money coming out.

William Devane has now started to shill for some plan.

Yes, these are for Medicare Advantage plans, not traditional Medicare.
If you're not already there, just read and choose carefully when you are approaching that age.
Lot's of Sharks in those waters, often represented by old washed up old actors and athletes out to make few more bucks off their names.

The only thing I find misleading is the plethora of robo callers live and otherwise that try to make you think that they are the Government and Medicare.
They may not outright say it but the intention is there, coming from the salesman not the company ads.
I don't care if an older actor wants to promote.
It is their profession and perfectly legitimate.
No need to bash them for making a living.

I think a lot of those extra benefits are really Medicaid benefits for real low income Seniors. They make it seem like anyone qualifies for them. No, just real low income ppl who get food stamps and are below poverty line. For example, the getting meals delivered I bet would be Meals on Wheels. They just give you the push in that direction.

The ads I see are very misleading. They make them look like official Medicare ads, but if you pay attention to the fine print you read these ads/companies have nothing to do with the government.

Well some are on the border of being dishonest. The government has been cracking down on them. The Government pays these plans on a monthly basis for your participation. They make more if you never go to the doctor or take medication. It is called a capitated system and these monies are the bread and butter for Cigna, Aetna and United Healthcare.

They also control which doctors you can see and which hospitals you can use, as well as making decisions on when you are sick enough to be admitted or treated as an outpatient. A friend, who works for a hospital, as the go between the patient and their insurance company, has always said to avoid Medicare Advantage plans like the plague.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
William Devane has now started to shill for some plan.

I believe he’s pushing gold investment.

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
William Devane has now started to shill for some plan.

I believe he’s pushing gold investment.

He's now also doing a Medicare Advantage plan ad besides that.

"It's DYN-O-MITE! Call nee-owwwww!" That shtick was stupid 45 years ago, let alone now.

If the idea of owning a timeshare appeal’s to you, these may also.
They are marketing to the same thought process.

I checked my ZIP code.

It is the same one that is at the Post Office.

Where is my free shit?

I finally figured out the big deal with medicare and the supplements... it's all about various 'insurance' companies getting more government money.. I got another letter from my supplement carrier about how I could get $100 a month of 'free' stuff from a pharmacy.... nothing in this world is free.. after I go and pick it all up, somebody has to pay for it... they pay the pharmacy for the items, submit a bill to the feds for this "free' stuff.

My Pension plan requires that I choose a plan from some outfit (called Alight) they got in bed with so I can get a reimbursement on health care costs. Some of these plans touted a free gym membership. So I checked around to see if that actually was true. Nope. All bullshit.
The only business that actually participated in the free "gym" program was a dance studio that had a once a week senior dance class.

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
I finally figured out the big deal with medicare and the supplements... it's all about various 'insurance' companies getting more government money.. I got another letter from my supplement carrier about how I could get $100 a month of 'free' stuff from a pharmacy.... nothing in this world is free.. after I go and pick it all up, somebody has to pay for it... they pay the pharmacy for the items, submit a bill to the feds for this "free' stuff.

I think everybody gets the same amount from the government; it's just a matter of what kind of shiny objects can they offer you while they increase their profit by cutting expenses elsewhere from your benefits.

As a testimony to advertising MA plans continue to grow. It does hit the fan when folks try to switch to regular Medicare and the supplemental insurance wont take them. Traveling out of state is a problem as well.