Bangor, Maine – The Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC) hosted a discussion today with Representative Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) and local seniors about Medicare Advantage and the more than 62,000 beneficiaries in Maine who choose these plans for quality, affordable coverage.
The discussion focused on the value of Medicare Advantage and the importance of working to protect seniors who rely upon these plans. Representative Poliquin also listened to how the program is working for Maine seniors and the vital need to preserve seniors’ health care choices.
“I’m a firm believer in choices, because more choices benefits consumers,” said Representative Poliquin. “What I am hearing today very clearly is that Medicare Advantage is very important and a vital option. It is important that seniors have choices that fit their individual needs while also driving down costs and out of pocket expenses.”
Seniors from the Coalition had the opportunity to relay their personal Medicare Advantage stories, and asked Representative Poliquin to work to protect their Medicare Advantage benefits while in Washington.
Coalition member Mary Campbell from Orono explained, “My husband is diabetic, and [last year] developed a foot ulcer that required daily visits to the hospital between Memorial Day and Labor Day. If we did not have our Medicare Advantage plan, we would have lost everything. The value of our plan is beyond what words can describe.”
Medicare Advantage is the part of Medicare through which private health plans provide comprehensive medical coverage to seniors and persons with disabilities. Nearly 16 million Americans nationwide, including more than 62,000 Mainers, choose Medicare Advantage because of the better services, higher-quality care, and added benefits these health care plans provide. Research shows that 9 out of 10 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are satisfied with their coverage.
Ron Woolhiser, a beneficiary from Glenburn said, “We very much appreciate the benefits of our Medicare Advantage plan. When we looked at our other options, we found the best value was through Medicare Advantage.”
The Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC), founded in 1999, is a fast-growing, national grassroots organization of more than 1.8 million people who receive their health care coverage through a Medicare Advantage health plan. Members of the Coalition, who reside in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are united in supporting high quality health plan choices in Medicare.
To learn more, visit www.MedicareChoices.org and follow the coalition on Facebook and Twitter