Medicare Advantage pitfalls

Editor:

As Medicare open enrollment approaches (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), many people will see advertisements for Medicare Advantage plans. While these plans may seem appealing — often promising extras like dental and vision coverage — Gunnison Valley Health (GVH) encourages community members to carefully consider their options.

Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies and are required to cover the same services as traditional Medicare. However, they often impose more restrictions. Patients may need prior approval for doctor-recommended care or face denials for treatments that traditional Medicare would typically cover without question. In some cases, these delays or denials can impact a patient’s health.

Medicare Advantage plans may also reject paying your doctor or hospital for services you received, often because of their own strict rules. We’ve seen these issues firsthand at GVH. Our staff frequently faces obstacles getting approval for necessary care and claims are often delayed or denied — even after appeals. We believe many of these services would have been more easily approved under original Medicare.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has investigated this issue and released a helpful video titled, “Medicare Advantage Denials of Care,” available at oig.hhs.gov or by searching the title online. We encourage everyone to make an informed decision based on their healthcare needs. For unbiased guidance, contact the Colorado State Health Insurance Assistance Program at 888.696.7213 or visit medicare.gov.

As always, we remain committed to the health of our patients and our community. To reach GVH about this issue, contact Amy Anderson, customer service supervisor, at 970.642.4810.

Jason Amrich, CEO

Gunnison Valley Health 

No property tax increase

Editor:

When you drive past the McMansions of Crested Butte and rub elbows with ski bums living off trust funds, it’s easy to forget that Gunnison County isn’t traditionally composed of the wealthy elite, but rather working class folks earning their wages from trade skills and agriculture and middle class folks like teachers and nurses. So why does it seem that our local politicians don’t care about us? We’re the people who make our county a functional, liveable place for everyone else. Why then are we invisible to our “leaders?”

Think I’m being hyperbolic?

The headline of last week’s Times reads “Property taxes set for big increase.” The article explains that 2025 property taxes “are expected to increase by over 30%” after having already done so within recent years. Those local politicians and voters in favor of increased taxation are probably patting themselves on the back because whenever they drive past a McMansion, they may easily assume increasing property taxes impacts only wealthy people who won’t even miss the money, let alone need it. To add insult to injury, the county recently mailed out sample ballots which featured two propositions to increase property taxes again.

It’s not just rich people who own property in this county. The fact is there are teachers, plumbers, nurses, cashiers, grocers, electricians, lumbermen, and so on, who also own homes in Gunnison county — or would like to one day. What about them? When do they get a break from being over-taxed? I say over-taxed purposefully: look around you, what, exactly, are these millions of dollars of county taxes paying for anyway? Roads riddled with potholes? Building permits so costly that local business owners can’t expand? Housing that’s actually affordable?

For people who aren’t the wealthy elite, “big” property tax increases may mean they can’t afford to own their home anymore. Or it may mean they’ll have to put off buying one even longer. And maybe that’s what our politicians want — to expunge the valley of its working class folks. What other message are we meant to take away at this point?

I have to budget my finances, I’m sure you do too. So why doesn’t our local government learn to do the same? 

If a ballot proposition increases taxes, no matter the cause, I’ll vote NO on November 4th. I hope you do, too.

Sam Reddoch

Gunnison

Coleman for city council

Editor:

I am writing today to express my strong support for Tristen Coleman’s candidacy for Gunnison City Council. I don’t live within the municipal boundaries so, unfortunately, I won’t be able to cast my vote for him but I wish I could! 

I met Tristen when I owned and operated a business on Main Street in Gunnison. The focus of my store was to sell vintage and antique items with the hope of supporting our local history and providing a fun Main Street retail option. Tristen came in often so we became friends. I can vouch for his passion for the community and his desire to see local businesses succeed. 

If elected, I believe Tristen would be a valuable addition to the council and would bring a perspective that is much needed. He is a good listener, does his homework, is thoughtful and understands the issues the City of Gunnison is currently facing.  

I appreciate that Tristen is running and am confident that if elected he would do an outstanding job. Please consider voting for Tristen Coleman when you cast your ballot! Thank you.

Kathleen Curry

Gunnison