Letter: Love That Medicare Advantage

Originally published in The Modesto Bee

Medicare can be an abstract concept for a lot of people — until they retire. The reality of Medicare’s complexity hit me when I retired and learned the hard way about navigating Medicare’s bureaucracy. Medicare Advantage provides me with proactive, high-quality, and affordable health care. I’m able to get the prescriptions I need for an affordable price, and can continue to see the doctors I know and trust.

It is convenient, cheap, covers all the parts A, B and D under one plan, puts a cap on health care costs, and honestly, it allows you not to have to deal with the federal government directly. They are not known for customer service.

Handling difficult health issues can be taxing in many ways, and so the services and programs that can ease these burdens are incredibly important. Without Medicare Advantage, I would likely be facing high medical bills and have to sort through complicated insurance websites and phone numbers to coordinate my care. Medicare Advantage allows me to focus on what my top priority should be — my health.

Medicare Advantage funding is always at risk. Thanks to Rep. Josh Harder for his ongoing efforts to fight attempts to cut Medicare Advantage funding.

Mark Looker, Modesto