Medicare punishes WellPoint on audit (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)
WellPoint Inc. said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services suspended the company from enrolling patients in the health insurance Medicare Advantage plan and the prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D.

CMS Announces Course Of Action To Identify Protected Classes Of Prescription Drugs (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an interim final rule that makes sure beneficiaries with conditions such as epilepsy, mental illness, and depression will not be discouraged from enrolling in any Part D plan, nor experience any interruptions in their drug therapy. The public comment period for this rule closes on March 17, 2009.

Vermont governor looks to cut 600 state jobs (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Gov. Jim Douglas called Thursday for laying off 600 state workers, in addition to 60 already being trimmed, as part of an effort to fill a budget gap for the next fiscal year estimated at more than $200 million.

Medicare Bus to Visit Southwest Michigan (PR.com)
The Medicare Bus, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will arrive at the Area Agency on Aging (2900 Lakeview Dr., St. Joseph) on Friday, October 12 to help Medicare beneficiaries and their families understand and enroll in Medicare Part D. Medicare specialists will be on hand to answer questions about plan options and financial assistance for prescription drugs. Anyone ...