Medicare Advantage — Grrr

You may or may not recall that a couple of months ago I came out in a big way in support of Medicare Advantage Plans. And, considering my health condition of recovering from cancer treatment, with huge medical bills, my Medicare Advantage Plan took great care of me. I have no complaint about the coverage.

However, I have recently been informed that my Medicare Advantage Plan, which is United Health Care AARP, is discontinuing coverage for a big chunk of Iowa, effective Jan. 1, 2026. It's called a Service Area Reduction or SAR (not to be confused with the SARS virus, although perhaps as repulsive). This SAR is aimed at plans with a zero monthly premium. Plans with a monthly premium, for the most part, will not be affected.

Not only is United Health Care AARP discontinuing service in select counties of the state, but several other Medicare Advantage Plans are as well. It's mainly due, I'm told, to government cutbacks.

If it's any consolation, people who are having their coverage discontinued will be given what's called a Guaranteed Issue (GI) option, which will allow them to select any other plan available in their county, with no medical questions.

So, what my wife and I are looking at, for we are United Health Care (UHC) members, as well as my client base, for I am a UHC Agent, is switching to another Medicare Advantage Plan, or to a Medicare Supplement. I am in the process of certifying with a couple of other Medicare Advantage Plans. A good question to ask is, “Will these other Medicare Advantage Plans go through a similar Service Area Reduction in the near future?” We're stuck between a rock-and-a-hard-place.

I'm busy certifying and answering panicky client questions. All this is taking place amidst a government shutdown, which makes people even more nervous. It reminds me of Charles Dickens' saying in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was best of times, it was the worst of times.” In other words: chaos.

It could be worse. We could have no options. We could be living in the Philippines and struggling for survival after a devastating earthquake, and looking for our loved ones under the rubble, wondering if they're alive or how bad they're hurt.

I have egg on my face, I know. Go ahead and say it. I don't like eating crow — they're tough and sorta fowl (get it?) tasting. But if the shoe fits, wear it. I bragged about how good my Medicare Advantage Plan is, and now the Plan is ditching me, us, and my clients. Health care costs are rising, insurance companies are struggling, and medical centers are shutting down. AI generated news flashes are scaring people. No one knows what to believe, including me.

My wife and I, and my clients, will survive. We'll figure something out. Putin bombs Ukraine, Ukraine bombs Moscow. Netanyahu bombs Gaza. Many UN countries recognize Palestine as a state while it's being bombed to obliteration and its people are starving. Republicans blame Democrats and Democrats blame Republicans. Even the Pope weighs in.

I avoid the 24-hour news broadcasts. Ginnie doesn't, but I limit the viewing to the bedroom. The only news I watch is the Nightly News. It's one-half hour of straight news, no opinions. It leaves me feeling unfulfilled, but not angry.

I'll admit I'm attracted to news flashes on my smartphone. “Travis Kelce reveals Taylor Swift's darkest secret.” Oh, what a waste of time!

There's only one thing I know for sure: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking