Latest Medicare Update October 31, 2007 at 11:35 PM

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October 31, 2007

Medicare Part D - CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part


CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Seniors offered advice on Medicaid, Medicare (The Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Local and federal agencies, wanting to assist senior citizens with information about Medicare and related programs, have stepped up their outreach efforts including a helping hand from some Boy Scouts.

BlueCross Receives Federal Approval for 2008 Medicare Plans (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The federal government has approved all of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's 2008 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D product offerings. Enrollment applications can be accepted starting on Nov. 15.

Medicare assistance offered to area seniors (Newport News-Times)
Those who have questions or who need assistance with Medicare or their Medicare Part D plan now have help available. SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) is a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate, assist, and serve as advocates for people with Medicare.

Medicare Part D - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky Announces the


Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky Announces the Availability of New Health Plans for Medicare Beneficiaries (The San Francisco Examiner)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( Map ) - LOUISVILLE, Ky ., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky today announced the release of a suite of new Medicare Advantage plans for Kentucky's diverse and growing population of Medicare beneficiaries.

Eisenhower holds lecture on Medicare drug benefit (The Desert Sun)
The Eisenhower Indian Wells Center for Healthy Living is hosting a lecture about "Medicare and the Prescription Drug Benefit" at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, 39-000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage.

Seniors offered advice on Medicaid, Medicare (The Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Local and federal agencies, wanting to assist senior citizens with information about Medicare and related programs, have stepped up their outreach efforts including a helping hand from some Boy Scouts.

Medicare staff take mystery out of signing up for Part D (Great Falls Tribune)
Myron Wheeler celebrates a milestone next year he turns 65. The rural Teton County resident wasn't sure until Thursday afternoon which of the 52 Medicare Part D insurance plans, which cover prescription drugs, would be the best for the mix of medications he takes.

Medicare Part D - CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part


CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky Announces the Availability of New Health Plans for Medicare Beneficiaries (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky today announced the release of a suite of new Medicare Advantage plans for Kentucky's diverse and growing population of Medicare beneficiaries.

Learn More About Plans in Your Area


Learn More About Plans in Your Area

Medicare Part D - Medicare recipients face choices (Akron Beacon Journal) What's the advantage


Medicare recipients face choices (Akron Beacon Journal)
What's the advantage of Medicare Advantage plans? For Medicare recipients, the answer depends greatly on their personal preferences when it comes to getting and paying for medical care.

Medicare Bus Stops in Pasco (KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities)
The Medicare Bus, that travels around the country helping people enroll in Medicare Part D, made a stop in Pasco and Ellensburg Tuesday.

Seniors offered advice on Medicaid, Medicare (The Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Local and federal agencies, wanting to assist senior citizens with information about Medicare and related programs, have stepped up their outreach efforts including a helping hand from some Boy Scouts.

eHealth E-commerce Platform to Power Online Sales for Blue Cross


eHealth E-commerce Platform to Power Online Sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance)
eHealth, Inc., the parent company of eHealthInsurance, today announced that it is licensing its health insurance e-commerce platform to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Blue Cross exec joins Grand Rapids school board (The Grand Rapids Press)
GRAND RAPIDS -- Senita Thompson Lenear hopes to use her community connections to build partnerships for the Grand Rapids Public Schools in her new role on the Board of Education.

October 30, 2007

Medicare Part D - Workshops set for Medicare recipients (La Crosse Tribune) Two free


Workshops set for Medicare recipients (La Crosse Tribune)
Two free workshops are planned next week in advance of the Dec. 31 deadline to sign up for Medicare 2008 plans, including the Part D prescription drug plan. Enrollment begins Nov. 15.

There are several ways to get Medicare replacement card (Muskogee Phoenix)
Dear Judy: Somehow or other I have lost my Medicare card. How do I go about getting it replaced? Is there a place I can write to in order to do this? The telephone just puts me through too much red tape, too much automation. Thank you for your time.

CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Medicare Bus Stops in Pasco (KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities)
The Medicare Bus, that travels around the country helping people enroll in Medicare Part D, made a stop in Pasco and Ellensburg Tuesday.

Medicare Part D - Medicare recipients face choices (Akron Beacon Journal) What's the advantage


Medicare recipients face choices (Akron Beacon Journal)
What's the advantage of Medicare Advantage plans? For Medicare recipients, the answer depends greatly on their personal preferences when it comes to getting and paying for medical care.

CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Vangent and Human Arc Win Business With 13 Medicare Part D Plans (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Vangent, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare technology services, and Human Arc , a leading expert in governmental healthcare programs and member eligibility, today announced 13 prominent Medicare Part D plan sponsors retained their services to redeem members who recently received letters from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services stating that they will lose their low income subsidies ...

There are several ways to get Medicare replacement card (Muskogee Phoenix)
Dear Judy: Somehow or other I have lost my Medicare card. How do I go about getting it replaced? Is there a place I can write to in order to do this? The telephone just puts me through too much red tape, too much automation. Thank you for your time.

Medicare Part D - CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part


CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Workshops set for Medicare recipients (La Crosse Tribune)
Two free workshops are planned next week in advance of the Dec. 31 deadline to sign up for Medicare 2008 plans, including the Part D prescription drug plan. Enrollment begins Nov. 15.

Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D (Baxter Bulletin)
Legislation not enacted by the previous Congress, which would allow a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan as an alternative to privately run Medicare Part D plans, was reintroduced Tuesday by Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and two Illinois Democrats.

Medicare staff take mystery out of signing up for Part D (Great Falls Tribune)
Myron Wheeler celebrates a milestone next year he turns 65. The rural Teton County resident wasn't sure until Thursday afternoon which of the 52 Medicare Part D insurance plans, which cover prescription drugs, would be the best for the mix of medications he takes.

Tigers fall to Falcons in cross-county contest (Ravalli Republic) FLORENCE


Tigers fall to Falcons in cross-county contest (Ravalli Republic)
FLORENCE - Rain wasn't the only thing in the air Friday night in Florence. A football flying through the uprights and one spiraling into the hands of Falcon Luke Topp joined the rain and combined for the only scores of the District 7-B, cross-county match between Florence and Darby.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Products Ranked Among 'America's Best Health Plans'(R) (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield's two 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 2007.

Medicare Part D - BlueCross Receives Federal Approval for 2008 Medicare Plans (PR Newswire


BlueCross Receives Federal Approval for 2008 Medicare Plans (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The federal government has approved all of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's 2008 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D product offerings. Enrollment applications can be accepted starting on Nov. 15.

Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than Current Private Insurance-Run ... (Medical News Today)
Older adults and persons with disabilities should have the option of choosing prescription drug coverage through the Original Medicare program to eliminate the consumer exploitation that plagues the current Medicare Part D drug benefit run by private insurance companies, concludes Consumers Union and the Medicare Rights Center in a report released recently. [click link for full article]

It's not too soon to review your Medicare options (Mid-Iowa News)
For individuals who need a little guidance in understanding the approaching annual enrollment period for Medicare, their SHIIP has come in.

Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D (Baxter Bulletin)
Legislation not enacted by the previous Congress, which would allow a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan as an alternative to privately run Medicare Part D plans, was reintroduced Tuesday by Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and two Illinois Democrats.

Silver Sneakers stay on the move with exercise (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)


Silver Sneakers stay on the move with exercise (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
What's the best-kept secret in Pittsburgh's suburbs? ...

Annual push set on feds' health benefits plan (The Washington Times)
Picking the "right" federal health plan can save you thousands of dollars in premiums and - in the event of a...

Medicare (Akron Beacon Journal)
What's the advantage of Medicare Advantage plans? For Medicare recipients, the answer depends greatly on their personal preferences when it comes to getting and paying for medical care.

EFFINGHAM EVENTS (Savannah Morning News) Events for SEHS AARP Services


EFFINGHAM EVENTS (Savannah Morning News)
Events for SEHS

AARP Services Inc. Announces the Appointment of Larry Renfro as President and Chief Executive Officer (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
AARP Services, Inc., the wholly owned taxable subsidiary of AARP, today announced the appointment of Larry Renfro as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Medicare Advantage plans, and resources to get additional help (The Providence Journal)
This is the second installment in a two-part MoneyLine series on Medicare prescription drug plans for Rhode Island. The first part was published yesterday.

Thompson alone tackles entitlements (The Christian Science Monitor)
Former senator is the only Republican who gets heated about entitlement spending.

October 29, 2007

Medicare Part D - Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than


Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than Current Private Insurance-Run ... (Medical News Today)
Older adults and persons with disabilities should have the option of choosing prescription drug coverage through the Original Medicare program to eliminate the consumer exploitation that plagues the current Medicare Part D drug benefit run by private insurance companies, concludes Consumers Union and the Medicare Rights Center in a report released recently. [click link for full article]

Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D (Baxter Bulletin)
Legislation not enacted by the previous Congress, which would allow a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan as an alternative to privately run Medicare Part D plans, was reintroduced Tuesday by Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and two Illinois Democrats.

BlueCross Receives Federal Approval for 2008 Medicare Plans (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The federal government has approved all of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina's 2008 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D product offerings. Enrollment applications can be accepted starting on Nov. 15.

It's time for seniors to re-enter Part D maze (Akron Beacon Journal)
Like it or not, Aleck and Marilyn Koski are trying to become savvy shoppers for their prescription drug coverage.

Bird Flu Virus Could Mutate and Spark a Worldwide Pandemic


Bird Flu Virus Could Mutate and Spark a Worldwide Pandemic (Bristol Herald Courier)
Noting there could easily be more circulation in Europe than assumed, international health officials warn the bird flu virus could mutate and spark a pandemic. If the virus develops a way of transmitting among humans, the results could be devastating.

Another Tangerang resident infected with bird flu virus (Antara News)
A three-year-old boy in Tangerang, identified as SA, has been infected with the bird flu virus, bringing the number of bird flu patients in Tangerang to 17 of whom 14 have died, a Health Ministry official said.

Indonesian boy sick with bird flu (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
A three-year-old Indonesian boy has tested positive for bird flu but his life in not in danger, a health ministry official said on Monday.

MassMutual and Faith Action International House Team Up to Offer


MassMutual and Faith Action International House Team Up to Offer Free Life Insurance Program for Working Parents in ... (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company is hosting an application meeting in Greensboro, NC, for parents to apply for free $50,000 term life insurance policies under MassMutual's philanthropic LifeBridge Free Life Insurance Program.

Term Life Insurance Now Less Expensive (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you have been thinking about getting term life insurance, now's a great time to start shopping because life insurance rates are declining rapidly.

Smokers Can Afford Life Insurance (Benton Evening News)
(ARA) - If you've been putting off shopping for life insurance because you're a smoker, or think you are paying exorbitant premiums because of your habit, it's time to start shopping around.

Medicare Part D - Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D


Legislation would create alternative to privately run Medicare Plan D (Baxter Bulletin)
Legislation not enacted by the previous Congress, which would allow a Medicare-administered prescription drug plan as an alternative to privately run Medicare Part D plans, was reintroduced Tuesday by Rep. Marion Berry, D-Ark., and two Illinois Democrats.

CMS Awards Two Contracts To Process And Pay Medicare Part A And Part B Claims In 7 States And D.C., USA (Medical News Today)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has awarded two contracts for the combined administration of Part A and Part B Medicare claims payment in seven states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than Current Private Insurance-Run ... (Medical News Today)
Older adults and persons with disabilities should have the option of choosing prescription drug coverage through the Original Medicare program to eliminate the consumer exploitation that plagues the current Medicare Part D drug benefit run by private insurance companies, concludes Consumers Union and the Medicare Rights Center in a report released recently. [click link for full article]

Medicare staff take mystery out of signing up for Part D (Great Falls Tribune)
Myron Wheeler celebrates a milestone next year he turns 65. The rural Teton County resident wasn't sure until Thursday afternoon which of the 52 Medicare Part D insurance plans, which cover prescription drugs, would be the best for the mix of medications he takes.

Medicare Part D - Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than


Medicare-Administered Drug Benefit Would Be More Affordable, Comprehensive, Stable Than Current Private Insurance-Run ... (Medical News Today)
Older adults and persons with disabilities should have the option of choosing prescription drug coverage through the Original Medicare program to eliminate the consumer exploitation that plagues the current Medicare Part D drug benefit run by private insurance companies, concludes Consumers Union and the Medicare Rights Center in a report released recently. [click link for full article]

Workshops set for Medicare recipients (La Crosse Tribune)
Two free workshops are planned next week in advance of the Dec. 31 deadline to sign up for Medicare 2008 plans, including the Part D prescription drug plan. Enrollment begins Nov. 15.

Medicare Advantage plans, and resources to get additional help (The Providence Journal)
This is the second installment in a two-part MoneyLine series on Medicare prescription drug plans for Rhode Island. The first part was published yesterday.

Medicare & You 2008 NEW!Medicare & You contains important information


Medicare & You 2008 NEW!
Medicare & You contains important information about what's new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights and protections to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose. It is available in both English and Spanish.
Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mails a geographic-specific version to all households of people with Medicare. In 2008, there are 59 geographic-specific versions with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.

Blue Cross of California Reaches Out to Members Impacted by


Blue Cross of California Reaches Out to Members Impacted by Southern California Fires (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
In addition to a $50,000 donation made earlier this week from the Blue Cross of California Foundation to the American Red Cross to aid in the disaster relief in Southern California, Blue Cross announced today several additional actions they are taking to assist members affected by the fires:

Smith: Color them greedy: Condell/Blue Cross (Lake County News Sun)
Dear Scott : We've heard that because of a dispute between Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois that we are no longer covered at Condell. As an older couple, we're very much concerned because Condell is the closest hospital to where we live. Can you explain what's going on and what our alternatives are?

Blue Cross now a youth sports sponsor (The Charlotte Observer)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has become the official sponsor of the Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department Youth Athletics program, pledging $180,000 over the next three years to the county. The department will use the money, to be paid in annual installments, to pay for improvements to athletic fields and supporting equipment and buildings, said department Director Jim ...

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