Do You Think Diabetes Tests And Wheel Chairs Billed To Medicare Are Ripping Off The System?

Question

You see the ads on TV all the time, "free" diabetes tests and "free" wheel chairs. Free IF you are on Medicare. Do you think these advertisers are ripping off the system? Generating demand that wouldn't exist without their ads, or generating demand so they can overcharge the system? Nothing is free. Money that gets paid for a wheel chair is not available to pay for an operation. If its needed, by all means it should be covered, but it seems wrong to be advertising these devices to create demand. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Well there shouldn't be commercial companies promoting the distribution of social services for a profit but likewise, many people don't know the services that are available to them. I don't think companies should be advertising on TV and be the middle man in government services but I do think the government needs to get better at outreach programs to reach those in need of help.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

Yes, I do. I live in Pennsylvania and worked with the state waiver program for elderly that got to live at home instead of going into nursing homes when they couldn't care for themselves. The state paid nursing staff to drive (paid milage too) to people's dirty homes, to provide tax paid care to these bums, who pissed away their income on lotto tickets, junk food, cigarettes and sometimes beer. These folks would get the Welfare system to pay for so much extra crap. The elderly even had social workers paid by state to tell them what "benefits" htey could receive, free of charge, from Medicare. Added ramps to their homes (even though they never went outside since the patient refused to get out of bed) but they still insisted on getting the free ramps built, free of charge were ordered. A bedside commone, wheelchair, canes, as wel las other devices can be replaced every two years. Free Depends, wipes, and bed pads are given, free of charge by the state, too. I knew a lady who'd sell her free Depends on ebay, and then just crap her pants, expecting the nursing staff (paid by state taxes) to clean her and the shitty linens. I'd like to add she had C-diff, too. It's truly rediculous, and I feel these should be paid for out of your own pocket, or you don't get them, unless you are instituted into a "poorhouse" (nursing hoome ran by county for the bums who can't afford proper care for themselves).