To the Editor:
I feel sorry for those who were lured into Villages Health System offered here some time ago. Having been in the Health Insurance business for 30 plus years. I feel that I learned early on that the so called “Advantage” plans were not to the advantage of the insured but was an advantage to the government as it lowered the cost of administering Medicare. United healthcare is paid by the government to administer their plan under the Medicare guidelines, and allows them to install their rules of coverage and utilization. When this system was being initiated by The Villages and doctors were brought in and paid a salary, it was easy for me to see that it was not a real “Advantage” to those entering into it. In my career, I watched United Healthcares operation come into being, and in my opinion, it has not been to any advantage to the insured. This system is being controlled by United Healthcare and not The Villages. For those in trouble, get back to Medicare in October.
R. Richard ‘Dick’ Yoder
Village of De La Mesa