Latest Medicare Update December 31, 2007 at 11:01 PM

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December 31, 2007

Egypt reports third bird flu death in week (Middle East


Egypt reports third bird flu death in week (Middle East Times)
A rooster for sale at a Cairo market in June 2007. An Egyptian woman has died from the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the health ministry said, the third such death in less than a week as officials and experts warned against the relaxation of precautions.

Egyptian women killed by bird flu (Calcutta News)
Two Egyptian women have died of bird flu bringing to four the number of fatalities in the country in less than a week.

HDFC to sell 7.15% in life venture to foreign partner


HDFC to sell 7.15% in life venture to foreign partner (The Hindu)
Mumbai, Dec. 31 Housing finance company HDFC said on Monday that it has agreed to sell 7.15 per cent stake in its life insurance joint venture - HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company - to its foreign partner, Standard Life (Mauritius Holdings), at a pre-agreed price.

AEGON and Merrill Lynch Finalize Strategic Relationship; AEGON Completes Acquisition of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance ... (Centre Daily Times)
AEGON (AEX: AGN)(NYSE: AEG)(LSE: AGN) and Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) announced today they have finalized their agreement to form a strategic business relationship in the areas of insurance and investment products. AEGON USA, Inc. also completed the acquisition of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and ML Life Insurance Company of New York for USD 1.25 billion in cash. The purchase price ...

Standard Life says to IPO Indian JV (Reuters via Yahoo! India News)
MUMBAI/LONDON (Reuters) - UK insurer Standard Life and Indian mortgage-lender Housing Development Finance Corp said they planned to float part of their life insurance joint venture in India before the end of 2009.

Medicare Part D - Deadline looms for enrollment in Medicare's Part D plan (The


Deadline looms for enrollment in Medicare's Part D plan (The Beacon News)
SPRINGFIELD -- Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period.

Social Security and You: A primer of Medicare Parts A, B, C, D (San Antonio Express-News and KENS 5)
What are the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C and D?

More enroll in Medicare Part D (Kinston Free Press)
Time is almost up for the more than 43 million Medicare beneficiaries in the country who are considering changing or enrolling in new Part D prescription plans during this year s open enrollment, which began Nov. 15 and ends Monday.

Midnight Monday the deadline to enroll in Medicare Part D plan (Marion Daily Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Time is running out for the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D.

Income Relating: A New Concept In Medicare (Investopedia) At times,


Income Relating: A New Concept In Medicare (Investopedia)
At times, important new terms slip into our financial vocabulary without much fanfare. One such example is "income relating", as it relates to Medicare . If you pay attention to the fine print of U.S. statutes, you may have noticed that this term made its debut for in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. However, it did not become effective until 2007, and ...

A Good Week for Green Funds (TheStreet.com)
Energy bill boosts ethanol producers.

AARP Calls Medicare Bill "Woefully Inadequate" (Medical News Today) As


AARP Calls Medicare Bill "Woefully Inadequate" (Medical News Today)
As Congress approaches the end of the legislative year, AARP Director of Government Relations David Sloane issued the following statement on efforts to pass a package of Medicare improvements. "Given the inability to find consensus on a broader Medicare improvement package, the short term package coming before the Senate this week is the path of least resistance and is woefully inadequate. ...

Senior Citizens Smarter About Medicare Plans in Closing Days of Open Enrollment (Senior Journal)
Dec. 28, 2007 In the closing days of Medicare's open enrollment period, when senior citizens can make changes to their health plans, the largest provider of Part D prescription drug plans is finding seniors much more knowledgeable about the program. The deadline for changes is December 31.

Open enrollment for Medicare ends Monday (The San Luis Obispo Tribune)
Time is running out for Medicare beneficiaries to change or enroll in a prescription drug plan for next year. Open enrollment ends at midnight Monday. After the deadline, most California seniors with Medicare will be locked in or out of a prescription drug plan for all of next year.

Medicare Part D - Tomorrow last day to sign-up for Medicare Part D coverage


Tomorrow last day to sign-up for Medicare Part D coverage (Greenwich Time)
As a rare opportunity to switch prescription drug coverage draws to a close, officials are calling for seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D to ensure the plans they're enrolled in still offer the most savings in medication costs.

Social Security and You: A primer of Medicare Parts A, B, C, D (San Antonio Express-News and KENS 5)
What are the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C and D?

Deadline looms for Medicare Part D (SaukValley.com)
SPRINGFIELD - Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period. Seniors who haven't yet enrolled have until midnight on Monday. If they don't, they'll have to pay an additional fee for missing the federal deadline.

Blue Cross lifts co-pay on generics (The News & Observer)


Blue Cross lifts co-pay on generics (The News & Observer)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is continuing its strategy to push cheaper drugs.

Family rejects Blue Cross' claim (Los Angeles Times)
After years of paying for a badly disabled boy's nursing care, the insurer said he no longer needed it. His parents hired a lawyer. At 13, David Denney's body functions like that of a baby. Severe brain damage halted his motor development at 4 months.

Blue Cross to waive copayment on certain prescriptions (Asheville Citizen-Times)
CHAPEL HILL - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will waive the copayment on all generic medications that treat congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes effective Tuesday.

Blue Cross to relocate within Tulsa (KSWO Lawton-Wichita Falls)
Associated Press - December 29, 2007 8:45 AM ET TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa-based insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is moving its customer service staff across town.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Health And Prescription Drug Plan Enrollees Expected To Experience


Medicare Health And Prescription Drug Plan Enrollees Expected To Experience Smooth Transition To 2008 - Medicare & ... (Medical News Today)
Medicare beneficiaries who have chosen to change their health and drug coverage for 2008 should experience very few difficulties when getting their covered prescription drugs through Medicare Part D, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today. [click link for full article]

VIDEO: Seniors should act now to compare Medicare plans (McKinney Messenger)
Seniors are being encouraged to cut medical insurance costs by taking three steps during open enrollment season for Medicare Part-D.

Midnight Monday the deadline to enroll in Medicare Part D plan (Marion Daily Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Time is running out for the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D.

Medicare Part D - More enroll in Medicare Part D (Kinston Free Press) Time


More enroll in Medicare Part D (Kinston Free Press)
Time is almost up for the more than 43 million Medicare beneficiaries in the country who are considering changing or enrolling in new Part D prescription plans during this year s open enrollment, which began Nov. 15 and ends Monday.

Deadline looms for enrollment in Medicare's Part D plan (The Beacon News)
SPRINGFIELD -- Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period.

Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News)
There s only a couple of days left for folks to sign up for Medicare Part D without penalty.

December 30, 2007

Medicare Part D - VIDEO: Seniors should act now to compare Medicare plans (McKinney


VIDEO: Seniors should act now to compare Medicare plans (McKinney Messenger)
Seniors are being encouraged to cut medical insurance costs by taking three steps during open enrollment season for Medicare Part-D.

Woman Says She Nearly Fell For Medicare Scheme (KETV 7 Omaha)
Representatives from the Nebraska Office on Aging said they are worried that there may be more victims of the scheme that targets Medicare Part D recipients.

Tomorrow last day to sign-up for Medicare Part D coverage (Greenwich Time)
As a rare opportunity to switch prescription drug coverage draws to a close, officials are calling for seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D to ensure the plans they're enrolled in still offer the most savings in medication costs.

Senior Citizens Smarter About Medicare Plans in Closing Days of Open Enrollment (Senior Journal)
Dec. 28, 2007 In the closing days of Medicare's open enrollment period, when senior citizens can make changes to their health plans, the largest provider of Part D prescription drug plans is finding seniors much more knowledgeable about the program. The deadline for changes is December 31.

Medicare Part D - Deadline looms for enrollment in Medicare's Part D plan (The


Deadline looms for enrollment in Medicare's Part D plan (The Beacon News)
SPRINGFIELD -- Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period.

VIDEO: Seniors should act now to compare Medicare plans (McKinney Messenger)
Seniors are being encouraged to cut medical insurance costs by taking three steps during open enrollment season for Medicare Part-D.

Time short to sign up for Plan D (Williamson Daily News)
Time is running out for those planning to sign up for Medicare Plan D. There will still be assistance through Medicare, but those who needed to speak with the West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program would have had to call before 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Blue Cross to waive co-pays on some drugs (BizJournals) Blue


Blue Cross to waive co-pays on some drugs (BizJournals)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plans to waive co-payments on generic medicines for a handful of chronic conditions, it said Thursday.

Blue Cross to relocate within Tulsa (KSWO Lawton-Wichita Falls)
Associated Press - December 29, 2007 8:45 AM ET TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa-based insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is moving its customer service staff across town.

Compare Medicare Prescription Drug PlansFind & Compare Plans that Cover


Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Find & Compare Plans that Cover Drugs.

Medicare Part D - Time's Running Out for Seniors to Enroll for Medicare Programs


Time's Running Out for Seniors to Enroll for Medicare Programs (WREX-TV Rockford)
ROCKFORD - With a looming deadline, it's crunch time for seniors who still have to enroll in Medicare Part D or Illinois Cares RX.

Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News)
There s only a couple of days left for folks to sign up for Medicare Part D without penalty.

Changes coming to Medicare Part D plans (Asbury Park Press)
Changes are coming to many Medicare Part D plans for 2008, so seniors, their families and caregivers should check their drug coverage during this last week of enrollment, Ocean County officials say.

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 31 (WTWO Terre Haute)
Senior citizens have only a few more days to take advantage of the Medicare Part D open enrollment period. December 31is the deadline to enroll in a drug plan or make changes to current plans.

Medicare Part D - Time's Running Out for Seniors to Enroll for Medicare Programs


Time's Running Out for Seniors to Enroll for Medicare Programs (WREX-TV Rockford)
ROCKFORD - With a looming deadline, it's crunch time for seniors who still have to enroll in Medicare Part D or Illinois Cares RX.

Deadline looms for Medicare Part D (SaukValley.com)
SPRINGFIELD - Time is running out for Illinois' senior citizens who want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan during the open enrollment period. Seniors who haven't yet enrolled have until midnight on Monday. If they don't, they'll have to pay an additional fee for missing the federal deadline.

December 29, 2007

Blue Cross makes changes to drug plan (The Herald-Sun) Two


Blue Cross makes changes to drug plan (The Herald-Sun)
Two days too late for Christmas, but still in time to celebrate the new year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina announced Thursday that effective Jan. 1, it is waiving the co-payment for some generic drugs and lowering the cost of 40 brand-name drugs.

Blue Cross to relocate within Tulsa (KSWO Lawton-Wichita Falls)
Associated Press - December 29, 2007 8:45 AM ET TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa-based insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is moving its customer service staff across town.

Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of North Carolina Waives Copayments On Drugs For Chronic Conditions (Medical News Today)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) will waive the copayment on all generic medications that treat congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes effective January 1, 2008. In addition, more than 40 brand-name drugs that treat these specific conditions will be moved into a lower-cost drug classification category to make them more affordable. [click ...

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News) There s only


Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News)
There s only a couple of days left for folks to sign up for Medicare Part D without penalty.

Changes coming to Medicare Part D plans (Asbury Park Press)
Changes are coming to many Medicare Part D plans for 2008, so seniors, their families and caregivers should check their drug coverage during this last week of enrollment, Ocean County officials say.

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 31 (WTWO Terre Haute)
Senior citizens have only a few more days to take advantage of the Medicare Part D open enrollment period. December 31is the deadline to enroll in a drug plan or make changes to current plans.

Time's Running Out for Seniors to Enroll for Medicare Programs (WREX-TV Rockford)
ROCKFORD - With a looming deadline, it's crunch time for seniors who still have to enroll in Medicare Part D or Illinois Cares RX.

Senior prescription drug enrollment period ends Dec. 31 (Plain Talk)


Senior prescription drug enrollment period ends Dec. 31 (Plain Talk)
The end of the enrollment period for seniors to change their prescription drug insurance carrier or their medigap policy carrier is Dec. 31. There are new companies serving South Dakota and many premiums, formularies and deductibles have been changed.

AARP drug plan not the cheapest, but it sells (The Pueblo Chieftain)
PHILADELPHIA - When Kim Andrews advises seniors in suburban Delaware County, Pa., on choosing a Medicare drug plan, she finds that the AARP-branded options are not typically the cheapest. The AARP plans often cost hundreds of dollars more a year than the lowest-priced competitors, according to estimates by the government s Medicare Web site, which Andrews uses. They re usually not in my ...

VIDEO: Doc Holly goes Hollywood, touts medicare plan in national TV spot (Beaumont Enterprise)
Beaumont doctor James Holly joins two Houston physicians in a national television campaign that began airing this week.

Income Relating: A New Concept In Medicare (Investopedia)
At times, important new terms slip into our financial vocabulary without much fanfare. One such example is "income relating", as it relates to Medicare . If you pay attention to the fine print of U.S. statutes, you may have noticed that this term made its debut for in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. However, it did not become effective until 2007, and ...

Midnight Monday the deadline to enroll in Medicare Part D


Midnight Monday the deadline to enroll in Medicare Part D plan (Marion Daily Republican)
SPRINGFIELD - Time is running out for the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D.

Find a Better Medicare Drug Plan (The Motley Fool)
Time's running out to switch your Part D provider.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News) There s only


Medicare Part D deadline nearing (Jacksonville Daily News)
There s only a couple of days left for folks to sign up for Medicare Part D without penalty.

Medicare Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 31 (WTWO Terre Haute)
Senior citizens have only a few more days to take advantage of the Medicare Part D open enrollment period. December 31is the deadline to enroll in a drug plan or make changes to current plans.

Choices abound as Medicare deadline nears (Albany Times Union)
Help offered for seniors who must make decisions on Part D prescription drug plans by Monday
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