Latest Medicare Update February 28, 2006 at 11:45 PM

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February 28, 2006

Prescription Drug Plan - Utahns lagging in Medicare D registration (Saint George Spectrum) ST.


Utahns lagging in Medicare D registration (Saint George Spectrum)
ST. GEORGE - While Medicare Part D's May 15 sign-up deadline is fast approaching, those who assist locally with the registration process say eligible Utahns are not rushing to enroll in the program.

Verispan: Pfizer Earns Top Honors for Medicare Part D Efforts in Long-Term Care (FinanzNachrichten)
Pfizer received the largest number of mentions for best satisfying the needs of long-term care (LTC) pharmacy providers/consultants with Medicare Part D in Verispan's fall 2005 Nursing Home Pharmacy Provider/Consultant Promotional Audit.

CMS Mulls Limiting Part D Plan Options (RedNova)
Medicare may be taking steps to limit the mind-boggling number of Part D plans beneficiaries must wade through. On Feb.

Medicare Part D - Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV) Nevada is one


Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV)
Nevada is one of the top states in the nation for the number of seniors signing up for Medicare Part D. That's the good news, but many other seniors aren't getting their medications because of ongoing confusion with the program. The city is trying to step in and help.

MedSave Inc Offers Medicare Part D Savings Solution Nationwide (PR Web)
There are really two parts to the new Medicare Part D drug plan , explains Sean Kacsir of MedSave Discount Pharmacy Signing up is part one, but choosing the right pharmacy from the start is the most important part. You need to start saving on your prescriptions right away to stay under the 100% payment level. MedSave can now accept Part D plans from across the country. [PRWEB Feb 27, 2006]

Verispan: Pfizer Earns Top Honors for Medicare Part D Efforts in Long-Term Care (FinanzNachrichten)
Pfizer received the largest number of mentions for best satisfying the needs of long-term care (LTC) pharmacy providers/consultants with Medicare Part D in Verispan's fall 2005 Nursing Home Pharmacy Provider/Consultant Promotional Audit.

Prescription Drug Plan - State Lags in Seniors' Drug Coverage: Lack of Enrollees May


State Lags in Seniors' Drug Coverage: Lack of Enrollees May Force Up Costs of Medicare Part D Plans (RedNova)
By Jeremy Olson, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn. Feb. 28--Fewer elderly and disabled Minnesotans have prescription drug coverage than those in most other states, according to a ranking released Monday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Verispan: Pfizer Earns Top Honors for Medicare Part D Efforts in Long-Term Care (FinanzNachrichten)
Pfizer received the largest number of mentions for best satisfying the needs of long-term care (LTC) pharmacy providers/consultants with Medicare Part D in Verispan's fall 2005 Nursing Home Pharmacy Provider/Consultant Promotional Audit.

MedSave Inc Offers Medicare Part D Savings Solution Nationwide (PR Web)
There are really two parts to the new Medicare Part D drug plan , explains Sean Kacsir of MedSave Discount Pharmacy Signing up is part one, but choosing the right pharmacy from the start is the most important part. You need to start saving on your prescriptions right away to stay under the 100% payment level. MedSave can now accept Part D plans from across the country. [PRWEB Feb 27, 2006]

US states to recoup costs of Medicare drug glitches (Reuters


US states to recoup costs of Medicare drug glitches (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
The U.S. government will reimburse states for funds spent to keep thousands of poor elderly and disabled Americans supplied with medication after glitches with Medicare's new prescription drug benefit, the Medicare program chief said on Monday.

Utahns lagging in Medicare D registration (Saint George Spectrum)
ST. GEORGE - While Medicare Part D's May 15 sign-up deadline is fast approaching, those who assist locally with the registration process say eligible Utahns are not rushing to enroll in the program.

More in area sign up for Part D (Fort Wayne News-Sentinel)
Help sessions are coming up at library branches. Adams, Wells and Allen counties have the highest levels of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the new Part D drug benefit program in the state.

Medicare Part D - Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV) Nevada is one


Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV)
Nevada is one of the top states in the nation for the number of seniors signing up for Medicare Part D. That's the good news, but many other seniors aren't getting their medications because of ongoing confusion with the program. The city is trying to step in and help.

Verispan: Pfizer Earns Top Honors for Medicare Part D Efforts in Long-Term Care (FinanzNachrichten)
Pfizer received the largest number of mentions for best satisfying the needs of long-term care (LTC) pharmacy providers/consultants with Medicare Part D in Verispan's fall 2005 Nursing Home Pharmacy Provider/Consultant Promotional Audit.

More in area sign up for Part D (Fort Wayne News-Sentinel)
Help sessions are coming up at library branches. Adams, Wells and Allen counties have the highest levels of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the new Part D drug benefit program in the state.

Prescription Drug Plan - Church provides Medicare seminar (Leavenworth Times) They started out wanting


Church provides Medicare seminar (Leavenworth Times)
They started out wanting to help the elderly members of their church with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. What they got was parishioners, children of elderly parents and community members all wanting to know how to sign up for the new plans.

CMS Mulls Limiting Part D Plan Options (RedNova)
Medicare may be taking steps to limit the mind-boggling number of Part D plans beneficiaries must wade through. On Feb.

Panthers on prowl: Seniors push Carcieri for 'summit' on Medicare Part D (Pawtucket Times)
PROVIDENCE - Gov. Donald Carcieri defused a rally protesting his administration s failure to convene a "summit" on the federal Medicare Part D program by showing up in the middle of it and promising the elderly activists a meeting.

February 27, 2006

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D plan is confusing to some seniors (News


Medicare Part D plan is confusing to some seniors (News 14 Carolina)
(RALEIGH) - Medicare's first ever prescription drug plan is still causing as many headaches as cures for seniors. Now some North Carolina politicians are demanding changes to clear up the mass confusion.

Advisory program has eased Medicare worry (The Herald-Press)
The confusion over the Medicare Part D benefit for prescription drugs has been eased in Huntington County by a health insurance advisory program for seniors. And in the nearly 60 days since the new program went into effect, the glitches in the system seem to be easing.

MedSave Inc Offers Medicare Part D Savings Solution Nationwide (PR Web)
There are really two parts to the new Medicare Part D drug plan , explains Sean Kacsir of MedSave Discount Pharmacy Signing up is part one, but choosing the right pharmacy from the start is the most important part. You need to start saving on your prescriptions right away to stay under the 100% payment level. MedSave can now accept Part D plans from across the country. [PRWEB Feb 27, 2006]

Prescription Drug Plan - Church provides Medicare seminar (Leavenworth Times) They started out wanting


Church provides Medicare seminar (Leavenworth Times)
They started out wanting to help the elderly members of their church with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. What they got was parishioners, children of elderly parents and community members all wanting to know how to sign up for the new plans.

Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)
If you are feeling overwhelmed by Medicare Part D, local seniors and others eligible for the new prescription drug plan in the Butte area have a number of resources available to them.

Advisory program has eased Medicare worry (The Herald-Press)
The confusion over the Medicare Part D benefit for prescription drugs has been eased in Huntington County by a health insurance advisory program for seniors. And in the nearly 60 days since the new program went into effect, the glitches in the system seem to be easing.

Medicare Part D - Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)


Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)
If you are feeling overwhelmed by Medicare Part D, local seniors and others eligible for the new prescription drug plan in the Butte area have a number of resources available to them.

Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV)
Nevada is one of the top states in the nation for the number of seniors signing up for Medicare Part D. That's the good news, but many other seniors aren't getting their medications because of ongoing confusion with the program. The city is trying to step in and help.

Rep. Moran calls for Medicare change (The Washington Examiner)
Confusion still surrounds Medicare Part D, a new outpatient prescription drug coverage option for seniors 65 and older, and though a May deadline grows closer, many are still scared to enroll, according to officials with the Arlington Agency on Aging.

Medicare causing headaches (Observer-Dispatch) The new Medicare prescription drug plan


Medicare causing headaches (Observer-Dispatch)
The new Medicare prescription drug plan has caused a major headache for some seniors. "Oh what a mountain of paperwork," Mary Kennedy said of the ordeal she endured to ensure medication for her husband, James, would be covered.

Medicare coverage choices may be limited (Contra Costa Times)
After promoting the wide choices available to the elderly and disabled for Medicare drug coverage, the Bush administration is now considering limiting those options.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Up, With Voluntary Enrollment Growing To Over 5M, HHS Secretary Leavitt Says (Medical News Today)
A total of more than five million Medicare beneficiaries have voluntarily signed up for the prescription drug benefit, including about 1.5 million beneficiaries who voluntarily enrolled in the last 30 days, the Bush administration said on Wednesday, the Palm Beach Post reports (Lipman, Palm Beach Post, 2/23)... click link for more info.

A wrong choice (NorthJersey.com) Governor Corzine's nominee for interim president


A wrong choice (NorthJersey.com)
Governor Corzine's nominee for interim president of the state medical school has precisely the wrong record for this troubled university.

EMS director asks commissioners for help with changes (The Advertiser-Tribune)
New Seneca County Emergency Medical Services Director Roy Myers brought a long list to Thursday's meeting for himself and the Seneca County Commissioners to address together.

Hospital scopes out Natividad (The Monterey County Herald) Administrators from


Hospital scopes out Natividad (The Monterey County Herald)
Administrators from Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital have offered to help settle the crisis at Natividad Medical Center.

Receipt-only system to aid insurance claims (Daily Yomiuri Online)
The Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co. launched a system earlier this month in which benefits for hospital stays of 14 days or shorter for surgery are paid to claimants on the basis of hospital receipts alone instead of conventionally required medical certificates, the first of its kind in the nation.

Insurance shopping improves financial health (Sydney Morning Herald)
It's time for a check-up, writes Debra Cleveland, to avoid paying for things you don't need. -

Receipt-only system to aid insurance claims (Daily Yomiuri Online) The


Receipt-only system to aid insurance claims (Daily Yomiuri Online)
The Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Co. launched a system earlier this month in which benefits for hospital stays of 14 days or shorter for surgery are paid to claimants on the basis of hospital receipts alone instead of conventionally required medical certificates, the first of its kind in the nation.

Lawmakers bone up on health care (The Oregonian)
SALEM -- A dozen committees, commissions and task forces are mulling health care proposals to bring to the 2007 Legislature -- perhaps a hint that the next session could be focused on rising medical costs and the 600,000 Oregonians who lack health insurance.

Capsized N.Y. Tour Boat's Insurance Broker Focus of 3-State Probe (Insurance Journal)
Regulators in three states are investigating whether companies in London and Miami sold a fraudulent insurance policy to the owner of a tour boat that capsized on a New York lake and killed 20 elderly

Low-income Medicare assistance program reopens (Lebanon Express) The Oregon Department


Low-income Medicare assistance program reopens (Lebanon Express)
The Oregon Department of Human Services is reopening a federally funded program that helps low-income Oregonians pay for certain Medicare premiums. The QI-1 program pays the Medicare Part B premium for people with Medicare Part A and a monthly income below 135 percent of the federal poverty level.

Local effects of Medicare changes appear minimal, pharmacists say (Boonville Daily News)
On January 1 of this year, changes in the Medicare Part D began. The changes have caused quite a stir around the nation with talk of federal lawsuits - including one filed by Missouri Attorney Jay Nixon - and still more changes to follow.

Medicare Continues the Push for Medicare Advantage Plans (Senior Journal)
Feb. 23, 2006 The 2003 Medicare Modernization Act gave a big shot in the arm to the HMOs and PPOs in the Medicare Advantage Program in an effort to make more of these programs, which are usually less expensive than traditional Medicare, available to more senior citizens.

Prescription Drug Plan - Senior struggles with Medicare Part D (News 8 Austin) It's


Senior struggles with Medicare Part D (News 8 Austin)
It's now been nearly two months since the government's new prescription drug plan took effect. So far, less than 2 million seniors have signed up. Many of them aren't exactly singing the praises of Medicare Part D . Take Pinkie Rigsbee for example.

Help for Medicare Plan D Recipients (KLAS-TV)
Nevada is one of the top states in the nation for the number of seniors signing up for Medicare Part D. That's the good news, but many other seniors aren't getting their medications because of ongoing confusion with the program. The city is trying to step in and help.

Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)
If you are feeling overwhelmed by Medicare Part D, local seniors and others eligible for the new prescription drug plan in the Butte area have a number of resources available to them.

Medicare Part D - Panthers on prowl: Seniors push Carcieri for 'summit' on Medicare


Panthers on prowl: Seniors push Carcieri for 'summit' on Medicare Part D (Pawtucket Times)
PROVIDENCE - Gov. Donald Carcieri defused a rally protesting his administration s failure to convene a "summit" on the federal Medicare Part D program by showing up in the middle of it and promising the elderly activists a meeting.

Medicare Drug Bailout is Costly (RedNova)
By Devlin Barrett New York State has shelled out $115 million to help senior citizens get medicine amid the confusion over the new federal drug benefit called Medicare Part D, according to Sen. Charles E. Schumer. The federal government says it will ultimately repay those costs.

Part D rattles seniors (MLive.com)
Paulette M. Wurdock will have to stop taking Ultracet to ease her arthritis pain because it's not covered under her federal Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

February 26, 2006

Prescription Drug Plan - Part D rattles seniors (MLive.com) Paulette M. Wurdock will have


Part D rattles seniors (MLive.com)
Paulette M. Wurdock will have to stop taking Ultracet to ease her arthritis pain because it's not covered under her federal Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

Senior struggles with Medicare Part D (News 8 Austin)
It's now been nearly two months since the government's new prescription drug plan took effect. So far, less than 2 million seniors have signed up. Many of them aren't exactly singing the praises of Medicare Part D . Take Pinkie Rigsbee for example.

Show to discuss Medicare Part D (Akron Beacon Journal)
The new prescription drug benefit plan Medicare Part D will be the focus of a live PBS broadcast. WNEO/WEAO (Channels 45 & 49) will air Q&A: Medicare Part D at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan More of a Challenge for


Choosing a Medicare Drug Plan More of a Challenge for Seniors than Using One (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
A new Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive Health-Care Poll shows that majorities of seniors who have enrolled in a Medicare drug plan somewhat or strongly agree that it is or has been difficult to choose a plan and to understand the benefits .

Recess spin on Medicare not reform (The Hill)
Medicare attracts headlines. Lobbying reform does not. Or so this week s message war seems to suggest.

Bush's Legacy (CBS News)
As President Bush nears the end of his second term, onlookers speculate about his legacy. The American Prospect says that Bush will likely be remembered as an innovator whose ideas did not always pan out, much like Woodrow Wilson.

Medicare Part D - Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)


Help available for Medicare Part D sign up (Montana Standard)
If you are feeling overwhelmed by Medicare Part D, local seniors and others eligible for the new prescription drug plan in the Butte area have a number of resources available to them.

Rep. Moran calls for Medicare change (The Washington Examiner)
Confusion still surrounds Medicare Part D, a new outpatient prescription drug coverage option for seniors 65 and older, and though a May deadline grows closer, many are still scared to enroll, according to officials with the Arlington Agency on Aging.

Show to discuss Medicare Part D (Akron Beacon Journal)
The new prescription drug benefit plan Medicare Part D will be the focus of a live PBS broadcast. WNEO/WEAO (Channels 45 & 49) will air Q&A: Medicare Part D at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Feds Investigate Medicare HMO Sales Abuses (RedNova) Medicare Part D


Feds Investigate Medicare HMO Sales Abuses (RedNova)
Medicare Part D insurers may be using high-pressure tactics to persuade drug beneficiaries to enroll in Medicare Advantage HMOs. The Office of the Inspector General at the U.S.

Panthers on prowl: Seniors push Carcieri for 'summit' on Medicare Part D (Pawtucket Times)
PROVIDENCE - Gov. Donald Carcieri defused a rally protesting his administration s failure to convene a "summit" on the federal Medicare Part D program by showing up in the middle of it and promising the elderly activists a meeting.

Medicare Drug Bailout is Costly (RedNova)
By Devlin Barrett New York State has shelled out $115 million to help senior citizens get medicine amid the confusion over the new federal drug benefit called Medicare Part D, according to Sen. Charles E. Schumer. The federal government says it will ultimately repay those costs.

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