Latest Medicare Update September 30, 2006 at 09:45 PM

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September 30, 2006

Blue Cross of California names Brian Sassi as top officer


Blue Cross of California names Brian Sassi as top officer (bizjournals.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross of California said Wednesday it's named Brian Sassi as its new president, succeeding David Helwig, who is retiring at age 50 after more than two decades with the company.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Receives Approval to Offer BlueMedicare Rx Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2007 (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida announced today that it has received federal approval for its 2007 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan options.

Coconut Grove Arts Festival Announces Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida as Presenting Sponsor (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The Coconut Grove Art and Historical Association, Inc., producers of the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival , has announced that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida will serve as presenting sponsor beginning with this year's 44th annual show.

Medicare Part D - Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Business


Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
INDIANAPOLIS----Eli Lilly and Company announced today that it has been granted approval of LillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General .

Plan D choices to grow in 2007 (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Minnesotans will have more Medicare drug-plan choices -- not fewer, as expected -- when enrollment in 2007 plans begins on Nov. 15, federal officials announced Friday. Next year there will be 53 competing Medicare Part D plans, up from 42 this year. Four existing plans will end, while 15 new ones will be added to the list. On the one hand, the increase will offer more choices

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Medical News Today)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval ofLillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D PatientAssistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of InspectorGeneral (OIG). [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D - WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (FinanzNachrichten)


WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (FinanzNachrichten)
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, ( Nachrichten ) Inc. announced today that it will launch a new web-based, online decision-making tool to provide seniors with a highly convenient option for evaluating the WellPoint portfolio of Medicare Part D drug benefit offerings.

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Medical News Today)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval ofLillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D PatientAssistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of InspectorGeneral (OIG). [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D to offer more choices in 2007 (Pioneer Press)
Minnesota seniors upset with Medicare Part D plans that dropped coverage of their drugs or dunked them in the "doughnut hole" sooner than expected will have more choices if they want to switch plans for 2007.

Humana to Offer Low Priced Medicare Plan (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Health insurer Humana Inc. on Friday said it will offer the lowest premiums to senior citizens in a majority of states as Medicare expands the number of players in its prescription drug program known as Part D.

Enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan NEW!


Enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan NEW!

Medicare Part D - Plan D choices to grow in 2007 (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star


Plan D choices to grow in 2007 (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Minnesotans will have more Medicare drug-plan choices -- not fewer, as expected -- when enrollment in 2007 plans begins on Nov. 15, federal officials announced Friday. Next year there will be 53 competing Medicare Part D plans, up from 42 this year. Four existing plans will end, while 15 new ones will be added to the list. On the one hand, the increase will offer more choices

WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (FinanzNachrichten)
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, ( Nachrichten ) Inc. announced today that it will launch a new web-based, online decision-making tool to provide seniors with a highly convenient option for evaluating the WellPoint portfolio of Medicare Part D drug benefit offerings.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune) The first information


Medicare Part D (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
The first information about Medicare Part D drug plans for 2007 is due soon, when Medicare announces names of companies offering plans. But it will be impossible to compare competing plans until after Oct. 12, when Medicare releases the cost details for each plan. HOW DO THE PLANS WORK? Plans and premiums will vary widely. For 2007, the typical beneficiary will pay the first $265 in drug costs,

Humana to Offer Low Priced Medicare Plan (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
Health insurer Humana Inc. on Friday said it will offer the lowest premiums to senior citizens in a majority of states as Medicare expands the number of players in its prescription drug program known as Part D.

National Survey Reveals Seniors' Reactions to Pending 'Doughnut Hole' in Their Medicare Part D Drug Plan (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
According to a recent national study by Guideline, Inc. , one of the nation's largest providers of custom business research and analysis, many seniors currently enrolled in Medicare's Part D Prescription Drug Plan will consider switching to generics once they hit their coverage gap or "doughnut hole."

WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (SYS-CON Media)
WellPoint, Inc. announced today that it will launch a new web-based, online decision-making tool to provide seniors with a highly convenient option for evaluating the WellPoint portfolio of Medicare Part D drug benefit offerings. It is one of many customer-focused programs being initiated by WellPoint and will provide seniors with an easy-to-use and convenient process for reviewing Medicare Part

Blue Cross names new president (Los Angeles Business) Blue Cross


Blue Cross names new president (Los Angeles Business)
Blue Cross of California has selected Brian Sassi to step into the role of president of the company and BC Life & Health.

Blue Cross gets OK to offer Medicare drug plans (The Business Journal of Jacksonville)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc. has received federal approval for its 2007 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan options.

September 29, 2006

Medicare Part D - Seniors get the scoop on Part D (Times-Beacon) BRICK


Seniors get the scoop on Part D (Times-Beacon)
BRICK Eight years ago, the large bus parked outside the Adamston Road Senior Center yesterday served as the mobile campaign headquarters for then presidential candidate George W. Bush. Since then, the bus, painted with an intricate mural of smiling senior citizens, has logged more than a million miles across the country, spreading the word about the new Medicare Part D program.

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Medical News Today)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval ofLillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D PatientAssistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of InspectorGeneral (OIG). [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
The first information about Medicare Part D drug plans for 2007 is due soon, when Medicare announces names of companies offering plans. But it will be impossible to compare competing plans until after Oct. 12, when Medicare releases the cost details for each plan. HOW DO THE PLANS WORK? Plans and premiums will vary widely. For 2007, the typical beneficiary will pay the first $265 in drug costs,

Medicare Part D - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Receives Approval to


Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Receives Approval to Offer BlueMedicare Rx Part D Prescription Drug Plans in 2007 (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida announced today that it has received federal approval for its 2007 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan options.

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Medical News Today)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval ofLillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D PatientAssistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of InspectorGeneral (OIG). [click link for full article]

National Survey Reveals Seniors' Reactions to Pending 'Doughnut Hole' in Their Medicare Part D Drug Plan (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
According to a recent national study by Guideline, Inc. , one of the nation's largest providers of custom business research and analysis, many seniors currently enrolled in Medicare's Part D Prescription Drug Plan will consider switching to generics once they hit their coverage gap or "doughnut hole."

Medicare Part D - AHIP Estimates The Number Of Medicare Drug Benefit Beneficiaries Who


AHIP Estimates The Number Of Medicare Drug Benefit Beneficiaries Who Will Reach Coverage Gap This Year (Medical News Today)
"Approximately Three Million Seniors Will Reach the Medicare Part D 'Coverage Gap' in 2006," America's Health Insurance Plans: AHIP estimates that approximately three million seniors will reach the so-called Medicare prescription drug benefit "doughnut hole" coverage gap this year. [click link for full article]

WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (SYS-CON Media)
WellPoint, Inc. announced today that it will launch a new web-based, online decision-making tool to provide seniors with a highly convenient option for evaluating the WellPoint portfolio of Medicare Part D drug benefit offerings. It is one of many customer-focused programs being initiated by WellPoint and will provide seniors with an easy-to-use and convenient process for reviewing Medicare Part

WellPoint to Launch New Medicare Part D Decision Tool (FinanzNachrichten)
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, ( Nachrichten ) Inc. announced today that it will launch a new web-based, online decision-making tool to provide seniors with a highly convenient option for evaluating the WellPoint portfolio of Medicare Part D drug benefit offerings.

Seniors get the scoop on Part D (Times-Beacon)
BRICK Eight years ago, the large bus parked outside the Adamston Road Senior Center yesterday served as the mobile campaign headquarters for then presidential candidate George W. Bush. Since then, the bus, painted with an intricate mural of smiling senior citizens, has logged more than a million miles across the country, spreading the word about the new Medicare Part D program.

Planning for Health Care in Your Retirement (HealthDay via Yahoo!


Planning for Health Care in Your Retirement (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
THURSDAY, Sept. 21 (HealthDay News) -- With the oldest baby boomers turning 60 this year, millions of Americans may soon reach the sobering conclusion that they haven't set aside enough money to cover their health-care costs in retirement.

Higher rates for the rich won't undermine Medicare (USATODAY.com via Yahoo! News)
Retired billionaires now pay exactly the same monthly premiums for Medicare as their former limo drivers. That's about to change, and none too soon.

Do your parents need long-term care insurance? (Eagle-Tribune Online)
We live in an age of medical miracles. People live longer than ever before, and life expectancies are increasing at a steady rate. This means that many of us will be fortunate enough to still have our parents with us as we ourselves reach retirement age.

Sponsored Links (Intellectual Conservative)
Home, Auto, Life, Business Coverage. Get a Quote Online! Call Us Today to Request a Quote! Mexico Auto, Automobile & Home. How Much Could You Save? Get 3 Free Home Insurance Quotes!

Medicare Part D - Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Business


Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
INDIANAPOLIS----Eli Lilly and Company announced today that it has been granted approval of LillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General .

Seniors get the scoop on Part D (Times-Beacon)
BRICK Eight years ago, the large bus parked outside the Adamston Road Senior Center yesterday served as the mobile campaign headquarters for then presidential candidate George W. Bush. Since then, the bus, painted with an intricate mural of smiling senior citizens, has logged more than a million miles across the country, spreading the word about the new Medicare Part D program.

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Medical News Today)
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that it has been granted approval ofLillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D PatientAssistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of InspectorGeneral (OIG). [click link for full article]

Medicare drug premiums steady (USA Today) Average monthly premiums will


Medicare drug premiums steady (USA Today)
Average monthly premiums will hold steady next year under Medicare's prescription-drug program as competing insurers offer a range of new coverage options.

Medicare cuts worry docs, seniors (MLive.com)
WASHINGTON -- If Congress doesn't act this fall to stop a planned cut in Medicare payment rates, some U.S. doctors, including those in Michigan, may be forced to stop taking or completely drop some of their elderly and disabled Medicare patients.

Former Blue Cross chief testifies in Statehouse corruption trial (Boston


Former Blue Cross chief testifies in Statehouse corruption trial (Boston Globe)
A former state senator accused of acting as a secret lobbyist for Roger Williams Medical Center served as a go-between during the hospital's dispute with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, a former insurance executive testified Tuesday.

Blue Cross names new president (Los Angeles Business)
Blue Cross of California has selected Brian Sassi to step into the role of president of the company and BC Life & Health.

Blue Cross of California names Brian Sassi as top officer (bizjournals.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross of California said Wednesday it's named Brian Sassi as its new president, succeeding David Helwig, who is retiring at age 50 after more than two decades with the company.

September 28, 2006

Medicare Part D - National Survey Reveals Seniors' Reactions to Pending 'Doughnut Hole' in


National Survey Reveals Seniors' Reactions to Pending 'Doughnut Hole' in Their Medicare Part D Drug Plan (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
According to a recent national study by Guideline, Inc. , one of the nation's largest providers of custom business research and analysis, many seniors currently enrolled in Medicare's Part D Prescription Drug Plan will consider switching to generics once they hit their coverage gap or "doughnut hole."

Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
INDIANAPOLIS----Eli Lilly and Company announced today that it has been granted approval of LillyMedicareAnswers, an "Outside Part D" Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program by the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General .

Medicare Part D - AHIP Estimates The Number Of Medicare Drug Benefit Beneficiaries Who


AHIP Estimates The Number Of Medicare Drug Benefit Beneficiaries Who Will Reach Coverage Gap This Year (Medical News Today)
"Approximately Three Million Seniors Will Reach the Medicare Part D 'Coverage Gap' in 2006," America's Health Insurance Plans: AHIP estimates that approximately three million seniors will reach the so-called Medicare prescription drug benefit "doughnut hole" coverage gap this year. [click link for full article]

LILLY (ELI) & COMPANY: Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Program (FinanzNachrichten)
Date: September 26, 2006 For Release: Immediately Refer to: (317 ) 433-9899 - Edward Sagebiel Government Approves Lilly's Medicare Part D Patient Assistance Program LillyMedicareAnswers will provide Zyprexa, Forteo and Humatrope to low-income seniors who are experiencing gaps in coverage; Program to launch in January 2007 Eli Lilly ( Nachrichten / Aktienkurs ) and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced

Indonesia confirms bird flu in possible cluster (AFP via Yahoo!


Indonesia confirms bird flu in possible cluster (AFP via Yahoo! News)
A 20-year-old Indonesian man has contracted bird flu, the country's health minister said, after the death of his brother in a case that has raised fears of possible human transmission.

Research into 1918 virus can help bird flu fight (Guardian Unlimited)
New insights into tackling threat posed by bird flu made in study of 1918 flu pandemic, scientists say.

Why You Can't Depend on Group Life Insurance (Hornell Evening


Why You Can't Depend on Group Life Insurance (Hornell Evening Tribune)
(ARA) - If you have a full time job, you may also be fortunate enough to have a free term life insurance policy through your employer. For most people, it's the equivalent of a year's salary. If you're lucky, it might even be as high as three times your annual salary.

How much life insurance do you need? (Orange County Register)
How much life insurance do you need?

MassMutual Offers Free Life Insurance to Working Parents in Florida (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County and the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company are bringing MassMutual's LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program to Collier County in Florida.

BenefitsCheckUpRX


BenefitsCheckUpRX

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield names new president (The


Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield names new president (The Business Journal of Milwaukee)
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin has promoted Steve Martenet to become the insurance firm's president, the company announced Wednesday.

Leadership changes underway at Anthem Blue Cross (Business First of Louisville)
Wellpoint Inc. named a new president of its Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky division on Wednesday as two other executives at the Louisville-based subsidiary have been promoted to national positions for the insurance giant.

Former Blue Cross chief testifies against Urciuoli (The Providence Journal)
Two of the most controversial figures in recent Rhode Island health-care history shared a courtroom yesterday, as former Blue Cross chief Ronald A. Battista testified for the government against former Roger Williams Medical Center president Robert A....

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