By: Michelle Stevens, MHA, CRHCP, CEO of Haskell Memorial Hospital
At Haskell Memorial Hospital, our team works around the clock to care for the people of Haskell County. We provide emergency care, rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and so much more, often to patients who would otherwise have to travel hours for basic healthcare.
But our ability to serve is being undermined by the rapid growth of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
On the surface, these plans promise lower premiums and bundled drug coverage. But the reality for patients, and for small rural hospitals like ours, is very different.
Here’s what we see every day:
- Delays and denials: Medicare Advantage plans regularly require prior authorization for services that traditional Medicare covers automatically. That means our doctors and nurses waste valuable time fighting for approval instead of caring for patients.
- Fewer local choices: Many Medicare Advantage networks exclude providers in Haskell County, forcing patients to travel to Abilene, Wichita Falls, or farther for care they could receive right here at home. For some, that means missing care altogether.
- Lower payments: These private plans often pay hospitals far less than traditional Medicare. Every time we care for a patient with a Medicare Advantage plan, we lose money—and that threatens the sustainability of vital rural services.
This isn’t just a hospital problem — it’s a community problem. When Medicare Advantage makes it harder for local providers to care for patients, it weakens the healthcare system we all depend on.
Medicare Advantage isn’t always the best choice for rural seniors. Traditional Medicare offers greater freedom to choose your doctor, more consistent access to local care, and stronger support for the hospitals that hold rural communities together.
We encourage every senior in our community to ask questions, talk to their providers, and think carefully before choosing Medicare Advantage. Your choice affects your care, your hospital, and the health of Haskell County.
Click here for additional Medicare resources: https://haskellmemorialhospital.com/medicare/
