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Howard G. Smith, M.D. is a former radio medical editor and talk show host in the Boston Metro area. His "Medical Minute" of health and wellness news and commentary was a regular weekday feature on WBZ-AM, WRKO-AM, and WMRE-AM. His popular two-way talk show, Dr. Howard Smith OnCall, was regularly heard Sunday morning and middays on WBZ.

Dr. Smith has adopted audio and video podcasting as conduits for HEALTH NEWS YOU SHOULD USE. Based on the latest medical, health, and wellness literature these reports provide practical information you can use to keep yourself and your family healthy. Many reports have video versions, and Dr. Smith’s YouTube Channel may be found at: http://bit.ly/2rNw6XQ

Trained at Harvard Medical School and a long-time faculty member at Boston Children’s Hospital, he practiced Pediatric Otolaryngology for 40 years in Boston, Southern California, and in central Connecticut.  He is now based in New York City.

If you have questions or suggestions about this content, please email the doctor at drhowardsmith.reports@gmail.com or leave him a message at 516-778-8864.  His website is: www.drhowardsmith.com.

Please note that the news, views, commentary, and opinions that Dr. Smith provides are for informational purposes only. Any changes that you or members of your family contemplate making to lifestyle, diet, medications, or medical therapy should always be discussed beforehand with personal physicians who have been supervising your care.

Aug 31, 2022

 

 

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/fy0jzs0mCFI

 

Over the past 15 years, Medicare Advantage membership has increased 2.5 fold.  Now, 48% of Medicare is delivered through the HMO-like Advantage programs vs. traditional fee-for-service Medicare.  The shift from Classic to Advantage Medicare has been escalating in the past 2 years with 8-10% of subscribers shifting per year.

 

The vast majority of members receive their care through just 2 Advantage programs.  United HealthCare has 28% of Advantage enrollees while Humana services 18%.  After these two, Blue Cross/Blue Shield has 14%, CVS Health 11%, Kaiser 6%, and 23% are spread among other insurers.  All but 1% of these plans require the hated prior authorizations for most except preventive services.

 

https://medcitynews.com/2022/08/ma-to-become-predominant-form-of-coverage-for-medicare-beneficiaries-report-finds/

 

#medicare #advantage #hmo #unitedhealthcare #humana #priorauth