Holy shit. Be prepared for the consumer to get screwed on your healthcare advantage programs.

[mcar]

164. My friend needed a cochlear implant

went through all the hoops to get the approval from her MA plan. She had to have one final appt with her PCP before having the procedure - a new guy she hadn't seen before.

He spent the entire appointment trying to talk her out of having the procedure and sticking with hearing aids instead. She kept saying she was going ahead with it.

He finally said to her that if she had the procedure, she'd be taking treatment funds away from cancer patients!

Same lowlife, several years later, refused to let her see an orthopedist after she strained her Achilles tendon. She didn't realize at the time that she didn't need to get a referral to see a specialist. The MA PCP's push that myth so they can hold onto the money.

By the time she finally saw a specialist, it was too late. Her Achilles had torn. She'll walk with a limp for the rest of her life.