Latest Medicare Update October 31, 2006 at 04:00 PM

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October 31, 2006

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D drug plans: It's decision time again (St.


Medicare Part D drug plans: It's decision time again (St. Petersburg Times)
The pros: Medicare drug benefits in 2007 may be larger. The cons: The choices remain dizzying. So, head for the help.

Steps to getting enrollment help in '07 Medicare drug plans (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
1. Open enrollment for 2007 Medicare Part D, the prescription drug option, runs Nov. 15-Dec. 31. Review everything now and determine which plan you'll choose. Check new costs for premiums, deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance and whether your medicines will be covered.

Medicare Part 'D' open enrollment begins Nov. 15th (WIS News 10 Columbia)
November 15th is the date open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Eligible seniors who have not already done so will be able to sign up for a plan. Current beneficiaries also have the opportunity to make changes to their existing plan.

Medicare Part D May Hurt Heart Patients (Medical News Today)
The new Medicare Part D program may make it difficult for a significant number of indigent patients with systolic heart failure (SHF) to access evidence-based medical therapies, according to new research. Researchers followed 382 patients with SHF belonging to Louisiana's Chabert Medical Center's SHF disease management program. [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas) For the 300,000


Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas)
For the 300,000 Medicare recipients in Nevada, it's time once again to sort through the maze of prescription drug plans, as enrollment for Medicare Part D gets draws closer.

Medicare Part 'D' open enrollment begins Nov. 15th (WIS News 10 Columbia)
November 15th is the date open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Eligible seniors who have not already done so will be able to sign up for a plan. Current beneficiaries also have the opportunity to make changes to their existing plan.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Deploys OpTier's CoreFirst


Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Deploys OpTier's CoreFirst to Improve Response Times for Customer Service (SYS-CON Media)
OpTier, the leader in transaction workload management, today announced that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross), the state's largest health plan provider, has implemented OpTier's award-winning CoreFirst product to improve customer service levels by reducing the amount of time customers spend retrieving information through its customer-facing web portals. CoreFirst helps

Blue Cross of California Applauds Plymouth Health Agreement to Purchase Alvarado Hospital Medical Center (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross of California today applauded the agreement Plymouth Health has signed with Tenet Healthcare Corporation to purchase Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, a 311-bed acute care hospital located in San Diego.

Nemours to end contract with Blue Cross (Orlando Business Journal)
Nemours Children's Clinic informed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Inc. Monday that it is terminating its contracts as a Blue Cross provider, effective Jan. 1, 2007.

FACTBOX-Bird flu's spread around the globe (AlertNet) Source: Reuters Oct


FACTBOX-Bird flu's spread around the globe (AlertNet)
Source: Reuters Oct 31 (Reuters) - Egypt has confirmed the country's seventh death from H5N1 avian influenza. The 39-year-old woman, whose infection was confirmed on October 11, died on October 30. Bird flu has ...

1 bird flu strain dominant, spreading / Danger to humans no higher, study says (San Francisco Chronicle)
A strain of H5N1 avian influenza identified last year has become dominant in southern China and is the source of a new wave of bird flu in Southeast Asia, scientists reported Tuesday. The so-called Fujian-like strain has infected poultry in Hong Kong,...

Scientists uncover new bird flu strain (AP via Yahoo! News)
Scientists have discovered a new strain of bird flu that appears to sidestep current vaccines. It's infecting people as well as poultry in Asia, and some researchers fear its evolution may have been steered by the vaccination programs designed to protect poultry from earlier types of the H5N1 flu.

MassMutual Offers Free Life Insurance to Working Parents in Florida


MassMutual Offers Free Life Insurance to Working Parents in Florida (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company is bringing the company's LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program to the Sarasota, Florida area.

Life insurance company settles, compensates Marines (Navy Times)
American-Amicable Life Insurance Company has settled allegations of misleading sales practices by agreeing to compensate military personnel with cash refunds or upgrades to the cash value of the policies it sold to about 70,000 service members, according to a Corps-wide message released on Thursday.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D drug plans: It's decision time again (St.


Medicare Part D drug plans: It's decision time again (St. Petersburg Times)
The pros: Medicare drug benefits in 2007 may be larger. The cons: The choices remain dizzying. So, head for the help.

Medicare Part D May Hurt Heart Patients (Medical News Today)
The new Medicare Part D program may make it difficult for a significant number of indigent patients with systolic heart failure (SHF) to access evidence-based medical therapies, according to new research. Researchers followed 382 patients with SHF belonging to Louisiana's Chabert Medical Center's SHF disease management program. [click link for full article]

Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas)
For the 300,000 Medicare recipients in Nevada, it's time once again to sort through the maze of prescription drug plans, as enrollment for Medicare Part D gets draws closer.

Is Anybody Listening? Humana Announces Doubling of Profits From Medicare Part D As Seniors in Doughnut Hole Pay Full (RedNova)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- While many seniors are stuck in the middle of the doughnut hole without Medicare drug coverage, paying their monthly premiums and 100% of the cost of drugs, Humana announces its profits more than doubled from its Medicare Part D plans.

Teacher suit wins ruling (Deseret Morning News) The Provo School


Teacher suit wins ruling (Deseret Morning News)
The Provo School District and the city's Board of Education must continue to be a part of the legal fight with 2 dozen teachers who filed a lawsuit over the district's post-retirement benefit package, a 4th District Court judge has decided.

Mississippi steamboats to return to Natchez: (Southern Illinoisan)
The Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen steamboats will return to Natchez for overnight stops on Nov. 22, and the American Queen will begin calling there March 9.

Health bus rolls into town (Siskiyou Daily News)
YREKA Senior citizens in Yreka had a great opportunity Monday to receive free counsel concerning the numerous choices they have when enrollment opens for Medicare on Nov. 15. The Big Blue Bus was at the Yreka Community Center with a team of counselors providing information and helping seniors with their recommended annual prescription drug enrollment check-up.

Teacher lawsuit against Medigap goes on (Provo Daily Herald)
A lawsuit by a group of Provo teachers will continue, despite a late filing by the teachers' attorney that got the case dismissed. Evan Schmutz, who is representing the teachers, missed a May 30 deadline to argue against the Provo City School District's request to be dismissed from the case.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas) For the 300,000


Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas)
For the 300,000 Medicare recipients in Nevada, it's time once again to sort through the maze of prescription drug plans, as enrollment for Medicare Part D gets draws closer.

Medicare Part 'D' open enrollment begins Nov. 15th (WIS News 10 Columbia)
November 15th is the date open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Eligible seniors who have not already done so will be able to sign up for a plan. Current beneficiaries also have the opportunity to make changes to their existing plan.

AARP Announces 37 Millionth Member (U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News)


AARP Announces 37 Millionth Member (U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News)
AARP welcomes Patricia Hernandez as its official 37 millionth member. As a baby boomer, Ms. Hernandez is part of a demographic shift in AARP's membership. The wave of aging baby boomers who are joining AARP have made AARP one of the largest baby boomer organization's in the world with nearly 12 million baby boomer members who are now in their 50s and 60s. AARP is honoring the 37 millionth member

AARP 'Election Watch' Poll Finds Support for Medicare Drug Plan Among Likely Voters (U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News)
In AARP's latest "Election Watch" poll, almost twice as many respondents (48 percent) consider Medicare Part D to be a good thing for Americans having difficulty paying for prescription drugs as those who consider it to be bad for older Americans (26 percent).

More Medicare plans confuse some seniors (The Greenville News)
Open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins next month and seniors who found 45 plans confusing last time around will have even more to sort through this year.

October 30, 2006

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D open enrollment for 2007 (NorthJersey.com) Seniors who


Medicare Part D open enrollment for 2007 (NorthJersey.com)
Seniors who let out a sigh of relief after enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan this year will soon have to delve, once again, into the details of plan formularies, monthly premiums and doughnut-hole benefits.

AARP 'Election Watch' Poll Finds Support for Medicare Drug Plan Among Likely Voters (U.S. Newswire via Yahoo! News)
In AARP's latest "Election Watch" poll, almost twice as many respondents (48 percent) consider Medicare Part D to be a good thing for Americans having difficulty paying for prescription drugs as those who consider it to be bad for older Americans (26 percent).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Deploys OpTier's CoreFirst


Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Deploys OpTier's CoreFirst to Improve Response Times for Customer Service (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
OpTier, the leader in transaction workload management, today announced that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota , the state's largest health plan provider, has implemented OpTier's award-winning CoreFirst product to improve customer service levels by reducing the amount of time customers spend retrieving information through its customer-facing web portals.

Independence Blue Cross Selects PowerAnalyzer for Benefits from DST Health Solutions (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
DST Health Solutions, Inc. today announced that Independence Blue Cross , a leading insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania serving nearly 3.4 million members, has selected DST Health Solutions' new PowerAnalyzer for Benefits to facilitate benefit plan analysis.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Offers Online Enrollment Process for Individuals Seeking Health Care Coverage (SYS-CON Media)
Finding the right health plan just got easier. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan now offers online price quotes and enrollment for individuals and families who purchase their health care products directly from the Blues.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Plan Recognized for Excellence By Top NCQA Rating (RedNova)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded the status of Excellent to the Commercial HMO plan of Health Options, Inc. (HOI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF).

Medicare Part D - Senior citizens have another shot at signing up for Medicare


Senior citizens have another shot at signing up for Medicare Part D (The Daily News)
Senior citizens who did not sign up last year for Medicare Part D, the federal prescription drug benefit, have another chance beginning Nov. 15. Seniors must enroll by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties.

Medicare Part D May Hurt Heart Patients (Medical News Today)
The new Medicare Part D program may make it difficult for a significant number of indigent patients with systolic heart failure (SHF) to access evidence-based medical therapies, according to new research. Researchers followed 382 patients with SHF belonging to Louisiana's Chabert Medical Center's SHF disease management program. [click link for full article]

Workshops to highlight Medicare Part D (Standard-Journal)
LEWISBURG Community Health Education at Evangelical Community Hospital will be holding two workshops to explain Medicare Part D.

Getting Drugs After Your Transition Period NEW! (PDF, 45 KB)


Getting Drugs After Your Transition Period NEW! (PDF, 45 KB)

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas) For the 300,000


Medicare Part-D Enrollment Begins (KLAS Las Vegas)
For the 300,000 Medicare recipients in Nevada, it's time once again to sort through the maze of prescription drug plans, as enrollment for Medicare Part D gets draws closer.

Senior citizens have another shot at signing up for Medicare Part D (The Daily News)
Senior citizens who did not sign up last year for Medicare Part D, the federal prescription drug benefit, have another chance beginning Nov. 15. Seniors must enroll by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties.

Medicare Part D enrollment raises questions for seniors (Gloucester Daily Times)
On Nov. 15, open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Seniors may opt to enroll or change plans, but most seniors who are satisfied with their current plan need not take any action.

Medicare Part D - Seniors tackle Medicare puzzle (Lompoc Record) Zocor for $189 or


Seniors tackle Medicare puzzle (Lompoc Record)
Zocor for $189 or for $139. Aciphex for $163 or $135. These are two of the wilder differences in costs discovered by an inquisitive new Lompoc senior group as they joined forces to scrutinize the new Medicare Part D drug plan.

Senior citizens have another shot at signing up for Medicare Part D (The Daily News)
Senior citizens who did not sign up last year for Medicare Part D, the federal prescription drug benefit, have another chance beginning Nov. 15. Seniors must enroll by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties.

Medicare Part D enrollment raises questions for seniors (Gloucester Daily Times)
On Nov. 15, open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Seniors may opt to enroll or change plans, but most seniors who are satisfied with their current plan need not take any action.

It s time to cram for Part D exam (Kansas City Star)
There s nothing like autumn: watching football, raking leaves, carving jack-o -lanterns and, if you re on Medicare, hunkering down for your annual Part D exam.

October 29, 2006

Blue Devils focus, advance to state (The Tribune Chronicle) BOARDMAN


Blue Devils focus, advance to state (The Tribune Chronicle)
BOARDMAN McDonald girls cross country coach Michael Richards said the Blue Devils knew Saturday s Division III regional meet would not present the best running conditions. In fact, the Boardman High School course had more than its fair share of mud.

John Muir Health and Blue Cross extend negotiations (East Bay Business Times)
John Muir Health and Blue Cross of California agreed Friday to continue negotiations until Nov. 30 on their contract for hospital services.

Blue Cross Foundation Improves Children's Health by Creating, Sustaining Healthy Environments for Their Growth and (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation has awarded 13 grants to nurture the healthy growth and development of young children. The grants, totaling $475,000, are the first made under the Foundation's Growing Up Healthy: Kids and Communities initiative.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Product Lines Ranked Among 'America's Best Health Plans'(R) (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Three of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's products offered through its subsidiary, Keystone Health Plan West, are among "America's Best Health Plans," according to U.S. News & World Report/National Committee for Quality Assurance America's Best Health Plans 2006.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D enrollment raises questions for seniors (Gloucester Daily


Medicare Part D enrollment raises questions for seniors (Gloucester Daily Times)
On Nov. 15, open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Seniors may opt to enroll or change plans, but most seniors who are satisfied with their current plan need not take any action.

Medicare Part D open enrollment for 2007 (NorthJersey.com)
Seniors who let out a sigh of relief after enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan this year will soon have to delve, once again, into the details of plan formularies, monthly premiums and doughnut-hole benefits.

Medicare Part D - Medicare drug plan enrollment starts Nov. 15 (Yakima Herald-Republic) Welcome


Medicare drug plan enrollment starts Nov. 15 (Yakima Herald-Republic)
Welcome to Medicare Part D, round two. With the 2006 open-enrollment period for Medicare's prescription drug coverage less than three weeks away, seniors' mailboxes are again brimming with information from drug companies and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Workshops to highlight Medicare Part D (Standard-Journal)
LEWISBURG Community Health Education at Evangelical Community Hospital will be holding two workshops to explain Medicare Part D.

Senior citizens have another shot at signing up for Medicare Part D (The Daily News)
Senior citizens who did not sign up last year for Medicare Part D, the federal prescription drug benefit, have another chance beginning Nov. 15. Seniors must enroll by Dec. 31 to avoid penalties.

Medicare Part D - Enrollment for Medicare D Starts Nov. 15 (Southern Pines Pilot)


Enrollment for Medicare D Starts Nov. 15 (Southern Pines Pilot)
The open enrollment period for Medicare D will be Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 . Medicare recipients who signed up for the initial drug coverage plan last year may make changes in their prescription drug plans during this period, according to the Moore County Department of Aging.

Medicare Part D enrollment raises questions for seniors (Gloucester Daily Times)
On Nov. 15, open enrollment for Medicare Part D begins. Seniors may opt to enroll or change plans, but most seniors who are satisfied with their current plan need not take any action.

Medicare Part D is to reopen Nov. 15 (Columbus Telegram)
COLUMBUS - If you're not happy with your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you will soon have the chance to make a switch. The window of opportunity lies between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31, but officials are recommending that changes be completed by Dec. 8.

Health bus rolls into town (Siskiyou Daily News) YREKA


Health bus rolls into town (Siskiyou Daily News)
YREKA Senior citizens in Yreka had a great opportunity Monday to receive free counsel concerning the numerous choices they have when enrollment opens for Medicare on Nov. 15. The Big Blue Bus was at the Yreka Community Center with a team of counselors providing information and helping seniors with their recommended annual prescription drug enrollment check-up.

Mississippi steamboats to return to Natchez: (Southern Illinoisan)
The Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen steamboats will return to Natchez for overnight stops on Nov. 22, and the American Queen will begin calling there March 9.

Teacher lawsuit against Medigap goes on (Provo Daily Herald)
A lawsuit by a group of Provo teachers will continue, despite a late filing by the teachers' attorney that got the case dismissed. Evan Schmutz, who is representing the teachers, missed a May 30 deadline to argue against the Provo City School District's request to be dismissed from the case.

Medicare doesn't usually cover travelers abroad (USA Today)
Who pays the medical bills for older travelers when they get sick outside the country? Many Americans over 65 rely on Medicare health insurance, but Medicare generally does not cover health services outside the U.S. or its territories.

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