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June 30, 2007

Medicare Part D - Help for Medicare beneficiaries (The Charlotte Observer) Some Medicare beneficiaries


Help for Medicare beneficiaries (The Charlotte Observer)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan soon may find themselves reaching that gap in coverage called the "donut hole." Your Pharmacy Benefit, a collaborative consumer education effort, offers a brochure that can help manage the gap during which some Medicare drug plans temporarily stop paying for prescriptions, and the entire cost must be paid by the beneficiary. The ...

Grading The Bush Administration, Part II: Domestic Policy (Blogcritics.org)
In Part I , we looked at some aspects of the Bush Administration s foreign policy, but, more important, we acknowledged how difficult it is to play historian when dealing with current events. Historians have enough trouble with past events where one can at least see some of the implications of policies that may have looked good or bad at the time but later turned out to have unintended ...

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Convicts Owner of Miami Durable Medical Equipment Company Of Defrauding Medicare (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The owner of a Miami health care company has been convicted on charges of defrauding the Medicare program of millions of dollars, the Department of Justice announced today.

General Satisfaction With Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare Part D, According to Study By GfK ... (RedNova)
Patients participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are, in general, satisfied with their current plan benefits.

Medicare Part D - Moore Gives The Accused Little Say In 'Sicko' (AccessHollywood) WASHINGTON,


Moore Gives The Accused Little Say In 'Sicko' (AccessHollywood)
WASHINGTON, D. C. (June 30, 2007) -- In many respects, Michael Moore's new movie, "Sicko," is like a trial for those who oversee health care in the United States. The industry -- doctors, drug makers, hospitals, insurers -- is charged with greed and putting personal interests above patients'. Moore...

Newspapers Address Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
Several newspapers recently published articles addressing Medicare. Summaries appear below. [click link for full article]

Rep. Stark Proposes Changes To Improve Comparison Of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) at a hearing on Thursday said that he might push for measures this summer that would increase oversight of Medicare prescription drug plans, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]

Hospital, Blue Cross still at odds; insurer wants physicians at


Hospital, Blue Cross still at odds; insurer wants physicians at clinic 24/7 (Boonville Daily News)
Cooper County Memorial Hospital and Clinic is still having problems finalizing an agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Missouri for covering doctors in the rural health clinic. Last month the difficulties appeared to be resolved, but for now it appears it will take more negotiations to reach an agreeable conclusion.

Blue Foundation makes 10 grants (BizJournals)
The philanthropic arm of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida will make 10 grants totaling nearly $750,000 to nonprofit groups in Florida.

Children's Hospital, Blue Cross continue negotiations (The Fresno Bee)
Blue Cross of California and Children's Hospital Central California have less than two days to settle a contract dispute before the care of thousands of poor children covered by the HMO could be placed in jeopardy.

Wellmark drops Mercy from lawsuit, paving way for new hospital (KWQC-TV 6 Davenport)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has dropped Mercy Medical Center from a lawsuit. The settlement allows the nonprofit corporation to continue plans for a new hospital in West Des Moines.

Medicare Part D - Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR


Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan might find themselves in the coverage gap or "donut hole."

It s D-Day for health insurance - Starting Sunday, everyone must have coverage, though deadline is really Dec. 1 (The Patriot Ledger)
STOUGHTON - Dennis Cormier, a 57-year-old Stoughton father of two boys, was facing a huge increase in his health insurance premiums on July 1, when the health coverage he received from a former employer was about to expire.

General Satisfaction with Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare Part D, According to Study by GfK ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
EAST HANOVER, N.J.----Patients participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are, in general, satisfied with their current plan benefits. Research from GfK Market Measures' Outlook 360: The Impact of Medicare Part D on Patients reveals that patients find obtaining their prescriptions is now fairly easy and that participating in a Part D plan is helping them afford their medications.

How to get your (or a loved one's) affairs in


How to get your (or a loved one's) affairs in order (Reno Gazette-Journal)
Many people aren't comfortable talking about care in old age -- whether it's their own care or a loved one's.

The French Lesson in Health Care (BusinessWeek Online via Yahoo! Asia News)
The nation's system isn't quite as superb as Sicko maintains, but it's pretty good

Medigap Insurance Premiums May Vary (The Post-Journal)
6/4/2007 - Thinking about insurance is rarely high on individual s list of things to do. As individuals retire or age into Medicare, their insurance situation can change dramatically.

Medicare Part D - General Satisfaction with Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare


General Satisfaction with Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare Part D, According to Study by GfK ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
EAST HANOVER, N.J.----Patients participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are, in general, satisfied with their current plan benefits. Research from GfK Market Measures' Outlook 360: The Impact of Medicare Part D on Patients reveals that patients find obtaining their prescriptions is now fairly easy and that participating in a Part D plan is helping them afford their medications.

Help for Medicare beneficiaries (The Charlotte Observer)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan soon may find themselves reaching that gap in coverage called the "donut hole." Your Pharmacy Benefit, a collaborative consumer education effort, offers a brochure that can help manage the gap during which some Medicare drug plans temporarily stop paying for prescriptions, and the entire cost must be paid by the beneficiary. The ...

Medical Imaging Companies Lobby Lawmakers To Reverse Medicare Physician Payment Cuts For Imaging Services (Medical News Today)
Companies in the medical imaging equipment industry are lobbying Congress to overturn Medicare cuts that took effect in January, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports. The cuts reduced Medicare reimbursements to doctors for performing X-rays, MRIs and other tests. For example, reimbursements to doctors for MRI scans have decreased an average of 38% nationwide. The cuts are expected to save $2. [click ...

People want health care fix (The Journal Times) On the


People want health care fix (The Journal Times)
On the Web: AARP has set up a Web site - http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/ - for people to get more information, or to sign on to the election pledge promising to vote for people who ensure quality, affordable health care for all.

Citizens weigh in on health care, financial security during AARP-backed event (Daily Gate City)
About 14 Keokuk citizens expressed their views on health care and financial security as the Iowa Divided We Fail campaign came to the Keokuk Middle School media center Thursday.

AARP roars into primary season (Concord Monitor)
The AARP will frequent this summer's political circuit as much as the candidates, pouring resources into putting affordable health care and secure retirement at the forefront of voters' minds.

National Quality Forum Membership Approves New Governing Board (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The membership of the National Quality Forum (NQF) voted to approve the appointment of 27 individuals to serve on its new Governing Board. The reorganization of the NQF Board of Directors was outlined in the provisions of NQF's recent restructuring plan; and the current Board approved a slate of candidates at NQF's annual spring meeting in March 2007.

June 29, 2007

Medicare Part D - Medicare Fraud Strike Force Convicts Owner of Miami Durable Medical


Medicare Fraud Strike Force Convicts Owner of Miami Durable Medical Equipment Company Of Defrauding Medicare (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The owner of a Miami health care company has been convicted on charges of defrauding the Medicare program of millions of dollars, the Department of Justice announced today.

Medicare Part D Covering Common Medications at Low Co-payments (Kansas City InfoZine)
An examination of Medicare Part D plans in California and Hawaii reveals wide variations in drug formularies, but indicates that for many classes of drugs, it is possible to find at least one or more drug that is covered by nearly all Part D plans.

Rep. Stark Proposes Changes To Improve Comparison Of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) at a hearing on Thursday said that he might push for measures this summer that would increase oversight of Medicare prescription drug plans, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D - Newspapers Address Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)


Newspapers Address Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
Several newspapers recently published articles addressing Medicare. Summaries appear below. [click link for full article]

Official warns of Medicare predators (Birmingham News)
WASHINGTON - An Alabama senior services official told Congress Tuesday that the network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, which help counsel seniors on their Medicare options, needs more federal funding to help protect seniors from predatory marketing schemes.

Dispute Between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Local Doctors Could


Dispute Between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Local Doctors Could Cost Patients (KCBD-TV Lubbock)
Come September, if you have Blue Cross & Blue Shield insurance you may have to pay a little more to see your current doctor.

Blue Cross and Lodi Memorial still at odds (Lodi News-Sentinel)
Blue Cross and Lodi Memorial Hospital remain in a stalemate while thousands of local people are forced to travel to south Stockton, Manteca or Sacramento to find health care covered by their insurance company.

A Healthier US Starts Here


A Healthier US Starts Here

Medicare Part D - Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR


Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan might find themselves in the coverage gap or "donut hole."

Rep. Stark Proposes Changes To Improve Comparison Of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) at a hearing on Thursday said that he might push for measures this summer that would increase oversight of Medicare prescription drug plans, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]

Medicare Part D - Rep. Stark Proposes Changes To Improve Comparison Of Medicare Prescription


Rep. Stark Proposes Changes To Improve Comparison Of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Medical News Today)
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark (D-Calif.) at a hearing on Thursday said that he might push for measures this summer that would increase oversight of Medicare prescription drug plans, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]

Medical Imaging Companies Lobby Lawmakers To Reverse Medicare Physician Payment Cuts For Imaging Services (Medical News Today)
Companies in the medical imaging equipment industry are lobbying Congress to overturn Medicare cuts that took effect in January, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports. The cuts reduced Medicare reimbursements to doctors for performing X-rays, MRIs and other tests. For example, reimbursements to doctors for MRI scans have decreased an average of 38% nationwide. The cuts are expected to save $2. [click ...

Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan might find themselves in the coverage gap or "donut hole."

Medicare Part D Covering Common Medications at Low Co-payments (Kansas City InfoZine)
An examination of Medicare Part D plans in California and Hawaii reveals wide variations in drug formularies, but indicates that for many classes of drugs, it is possible to find at least one or more drug that is covered by nearly all Part D plans.

June 28, 2007

Medicare Part D - Medical Imaging Companies Lobby Lawmakers To Reverse Medicare Physician Payment


Medical Imaging Companies Lobby Lawmakers To Reverse Medicare Physician Payment Cuts For Imaging Services (Medical News Today)
Companies in the medical imaging equipment industry are lobbying Congress to overturn Medicare cuts that took effect in January, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports. The cuts reduced Medicare reimbursements to doctors for performing X-rays, MRIs and other tests. For example, reimbursements to doctors for MRI scans have decreased an average of 38% nationwide. The cuts are expected to save $2. [click ...

General Satisfaction With Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare Part D, According to Study By GfK ... (RedNova)
Patients participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are, in general, satisfied with their current plan benefits.

Medicare Fraud Strike Force Convicts Owner of Miami Durable Medical Equipment Company Of Defrauding Medicare (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The owner of a Miami health care company has been convicted on charges of defrauding the Medicare program of millions of dollars, the Department of Justice announced today.

Czech, German bird flu have same origin-Germany (AlertNet) Source: Reuters


Czech, German bird flu have same origin-Germany (AlertNet)
Source: Reuters BERLIN, June 28 (Reuters) - The deadly strains of bird flu that has killed birds in the Czech Republic and southern Germany are similar and most likely have a common origin, Germany's top state ...

Bird flu confirmed in Togo (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Independent tests carried out in Italy have confirmed the presence for the first time of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu in poultry from the west African nation of Togo, officials said Wednesday.

Bird Flu Detected at Czech Poultry Farm (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
The H5N1 deadly strain of bird flu virus has been found at a poultry farm in eastern Czech Republic, the second in a week, an official said Wednesday.

Scottish Re announces sale of Middle East life portfolio to


Scottish Re announces sale of Middle East life portfolio to Arab Insurance Group (AME Info)
Scottish Re Group Limited (NYSE: SCT), a global life reinsurance specialist, today announced the sale of its Middle East Life portfolio to Arab Insurance Group (Arig), one of the largest reinsurance companies in the Middle East and North Africa.

Standard Life to up stake in insurance JV (The Telegraph)
Mumbai, June 27 : The UK-based Standard Life is set to raise its stake in HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company.

A.M. Best Affirms the Ratings of Life Insurance Corporation (International) B.S.C. (C) (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
OLDWICK, N.J.----A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ and the issuer credit rating of "bbb-" of Life Insurance Corporation B.S.C. . The outlook for both ratings remains stable.

Medicare Part D - Official warns of Medicare predators (Birmingham News) WASHINGTON - An


Official warns of Medicare predators (Birmingham News)
WASHINGTON - An Alabama senior services official told Congress Tuesday that the network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, which help counsel seniors on their Medicare options, needs more federal funding to help protect seniors from predatory marketing schemes.

Resource Helps Seniors Manage the Medicare Drug Coverage Gap (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
Some Medicare beneficiaries using the Part D prescription drug plan might find themselves in the coverage gap or "donut hole."

General Satisfaction With Plan Benefits Found Among Patients Navigating Medicare Part D, According to Study By GfK ... (RedNova)
Patients participating in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage are, in general, satisfied with their current plan benefits.

Aetna, Blue Cross sign new health insurance contract (The Florida


Aetna, Blue Cross sign new health insurance contract (The Florida Times-Union)
The Times-Union

Ten Florida Nonprofit Organizations to Receive Grants Totaling $747,960 From The Blue Foundation (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The Blue Foundation for a Healthy Florida, the philanthropic affiliate of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida , has approved $747,960 in grants to be awarded this summer to ten nonprofit Florida organizations that are successfully addressing health care needs in their communities.

Blue Cross Expanding in North Phoenix (KTAR 92.3 Phoenix)
The state's largest health insurance provider is expanding its Phoenix headquarters. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona paid close to $6 million for 13 acres of vacant land near its corporate headquarters in north Phoenix.

Medicare Part D - Official warns of Medicare predators (Birmingham News) WASHINGTON - An


Official warns of Medicare predators (Birmingham News)
WASHINGTON - An Alabama senior services official told Congress Tuesday that the network of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, which help counsel seniors on their Medicare options, needs more federal funding to help protect seniors from predatory marketing schemes.

Medicare Part D plans vary across U.S. (News-Medical-Net)
An examination of Medicare Part D plans in California and Hawaii reveals wide variations in drug formularies, but indicates that for many classes of drugs, it is possible to find at least one or more drug that is covered by nearly all Part D plans, according to a study in the June 20 issue of JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Medigap Insurance Premiums May Vary (The Post-Journal) 6/4/2007 - Thinking


Medigap Insurance Premiums May Vary (The Post-Journal)
6/4/2007 - Thinking about insurance is rarely high on individual s list of things to do. As individuals retire or age into Medicare, their insurance situation can change dramatically.

At your service (Daytona Beach News-Journal)
The At Your Service column appears in The News-Journal on Mondays. Featured this week are service groups in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Don t just stand there eat something (Santa Maria Times)
Huh? What?
Additional information in this months archive:


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