The hunt has begun, not just for deer but for people. Private companies are using false and misleading advertising to get you into their Medicare Advantage plans. Lower prices, gym membership and dental plans are some of the come-ons. Don’t be fooled. They want you to buy in because each person can bring big profits.

They need customers so they can exaggerate diagnoses and thereby cheat the government to the tune of 140 billion dollars. If you stay healthy and don’t need your insurance, you might have a good deal. If you get sick, you will see their other side: hard to get referrals, phantom or hard to engage panels of doctors, refusal to honor prescriptions for the best but more expensive prescriptions and lots of balkiness and stinginess. They protect their profits even if it will lead to your longer illness or maybe non-recovery.

Traditional Medicare can be a bit more expensive, but you get what you pay for, honest coverage when you need it most. Don’t be fooled by their sweet-talking sales pitches. Health insurance is a godsend when you really need it. A shoddy plan could lead to chronic illness, bankruptcy, and even death.