CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Workshops set for Medicare recipients (La Crosse Tribune)
Two free workshops are planned next week in advance of the Dec. 31 deadline to sign up for Medicare 2008 plans, including the Part D prescription drug plan. Enrollment begins Nov. 15.

Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D (Baxter Bulletin)
Legislation not enacted by the previous Congress, which would allow a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan as an alternative to privately run Medicare Part D plans, was reintroduced Tuesday by Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and two Illinois Democrats.

Medicare staff take mystery out of signing up for Part D (Great Falls Tribune)
Myron Wheeler celebrates a milestone next year he turns 65. The rural Teton County resident wasn't sure until Thursday afternoon which of the 52 Medicare Part D insurance plans, which cover prescription drugs, would be the best for the mix of medications he takes.