I’m sick and tired of hearing that about supplemental insurance and how the call is “absolutely free!”

 

By SJ Otto

It’s only a few days until December 7, which is the last day of open enrollment for those who want a better deal on supplemental health insurance, for all the old farts over 65. Medicare pays for 80 percent of medical expenses, but not pharmaceutical drugs. Here in the US, only people over 65 get any real medical care from the government and it all comes with strings attached. Supplemental insurance cost us old farts money. Someone is making a lot of money off of these supplemental insurance plans, because the TV is saturated with people trying to sell us on “new benefits.” Then they have such benefits as “no co-pays,” “cash back,” free glasses, free meals, free dental and “free travel to doctor appointments.” And all of these benefits are, as I keep hearing the words, “absolutely free.” The way they talk it would seem like they are just waiting to give us money, such as free pharmaceutical drugs and free meals. It all sounds lovely, but anyone spending that kind of money on ads has got to be getting something for that. They don’t advertize just for our benefit. This is the US and they are out to make a buck. I keep seeing the same ads over and over again. They ALL keep telling that “these benefits are not automatic, you have to apply for them.” “Call now and see if you are eligible for these new benefits.” And the call is “absolutely free.” Those two words seem to be everywhere on my TV lately. Some guy selling windows tells all of “Kansas” that if we buy three of his windows we get one “absolutely free.” But they are not “absolutely free” if I have to buy something to get them. The window hawker is not the only advertizer to exploit that mistake.

So day after day I have to see lengthy explanations as to how I can call and find out if I’m eligible for all these wonderful benefits, “absolutely free.” What amazes me most is that all these commercials have a person saying the exact same thing. I hear the same tedious explanations of all the benefits and free stuff I might get if I call the number they keep flashing on the screen. Supposedly it all ends on December the 7th.

My guess is they will find ways to stretch this shtick out for many months more. It is too bad poor working people under 65 can’t get all these wonderful benefits. But not here in the US. In this country it is all about the money.

 

$Buy, $Buy, $Buy!

Pix by Sams/Hockaday & Associates, Inc. | Medicare & Insurance for Seniors | Decatur, IL