Latest Medicare Update February 29, 2008 at 06:05 PM

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February 29, 2008

Medicare Part D - Congressional Democrats Might Use Budget Reconciliation Process To Pass Medicare


Congressional Democrats Might Use Budget Reconciliation Process To Pass Medicare Bill (Medical News Today)
Leaders of the House and Senate Budget committees on Tuesday said that they might use the fiscal year 2009 budget reconciliation process to pass a Medicare bill with a provision to prevent a scheduled 10% reduction in physician reimbursements, CQ Today reports.

Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (Boston Globe)
New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has introduced legislation designed to help pull Medicare back from the brink of insolvency.

New Jersey's $1B agricultural industry threatened (Examiner) Local farmers and


New Jersey's $1B agricultural industry threatened (Examiner)
Local farmers and officials have had strong reactions to Gov. Jon Corzine's plan to eliminate the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) as a costcutting measure. Corzine also wants to eliminate the state's Commerce and Personnel departments.

Baby boomers confused about Medicare (UPI)
A survey of U.S. baby boomers found most confused about Medicare age eligibility and what is covered under the federal health plan.

Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare, According To Recent NAIC Survey (Medical News Today)
The first waves of baby boomers turn 62 this year and begin claiming Social Security benefits. And, according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many are confused about their post-retirement health insurance options, including their Medicare eligibility.

Medicare Part D - U.S. joins surgeon's suit against hospital accused of fraud (The


U.S. joins surgeon's suit against hospital accused of fraud (The State)
A whistle-blowing popular Sumter surgeon has prompted a federal probe into alleged Medicare and Medicaid irregularities at Tuomey regional hospital. In the first court hearing on the matter Wednesday, U.S. Judge Matthew Perry dealt the Sumter hospital two blows. He ruled that a Justice Department-backed lawsuit against Tuomey can proceed and that crucial evidence can be part of the case. That ...

Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News)
Doctors and officials at Haywood Regional Medical Center are accusing state inspectors of being heavy-handed, draconian, unprecedented, dangerous and unfair by pulling the hospital s Medicare and Medicaid status.

Medicare Advantage plans ripe for fraud (Deseret Morning News)
When Medicare introduced Part D coverage to pay for prescription drugs in 2006, it gave seniors a golden opportunity to save money and crooks a golden opportunity to steal it.

Medicare Part D focus of talk (The Montana Standard)
A presentation on Medicare Part D and the Low-income Subsidy will be given at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Business Development Center, 305 W. Mercury. It s presented by the Area V Agency on Aging.

Dollars, sense, and Medicare (Contra Costa Times) The political debate


Dollars, sense, and Medicare (Contra Costa Times)
The political debate brings alarmist statements about the long-term financing of our largest "federal entitlements," including Medicare. Perhaps the best retort, to date, comes in a just-published document funded by the AARP Public Policy Institute.

Taking care of baby boomers (Daily Breeze)
"Making it to Medicare" has become one of the biggest challenges for baby boomers who retire or are laid off before 65. Individual health insurance can be expensive.

EFFINGHAM EVENTS (Savannah Morning News)
SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS

Ads for, against Medicare bill often hid facts (The Columbus Dispatch)
WASHINGTON -- Call it the health-insurance companies and nursing homes versus doctors and the AARP, a classic Washington struggle that erupted when House Democrats sought changes to Medicare.

Bills would let Blue Cross branch out into other fields


Bills would let Blue Cross branch out into other fields (WOOD TV 8 Grand Rapids)
LANSING, Mich. -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the state's dominant health insurer, could become a player in other types of coverage under terms of bills pending in the state...

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Member Health Index Named BlueWorks(R) Award Winner (The San Francisco Examiner)
MILWAUKEE , Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's Member Health Index has been honored as a 2007 BlueWorks(R) winner.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D focus of talk (The Montana Standard) A


Medicare Part D focus of talk (The Montana Standard)
A presentation on Medicare Part D and the Low-income Subsidy will be given at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Business Development Center, 305 W. Mercury. It s presented by the Area V Agency on Aging.

Baby boomers confused about Medicare (UPI)
A survey of U.S. baby boomers found most confused about Medicare age eligibility and what is covered under the federal health plan.

Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (Boston Globe)
New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has introduced legislation designed to help pull Medicare back from the brink of insolvency.

Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare, According To Recent NAIC Survey (Medical News Today)
The first waves of baby boomers turn 62 this year and begin claiming Social Security benefits. And, according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many are confused about their post-retirement health insurance options, including their Medicare eligibility.

Medicare Part D - GAO Study Looks At How Medicare Part D Sponsors And


GAO Study Looks At How Medicare Part D Sponsors And CMS Handle Drug Coverage Requests (Medical News Today)
"Medicare Part D: Plan Sponsors' Processing and CMS Monitoring of Drug Coverage Requests Could Be Improved," Government Accountability Office: The report reviews the processes and criteria that Medicare prescription drug benefit plans use to make coverage decisions, as well as the processes for appealing coverage denials and the approval rates of those appeals.

Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (Boston Globe)
New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has introduced legislation designed to help pull Medicare back from the brink of insolvency.

Medicare Advantage plans ripe for fraud (Deseret Morning News)
When Medicare introduced Part D coverage to pay for prescription drugs in 2006, it gave seniors a golden opportunity to save money and crooks a golden opportunity to steal it.

February 28, 2008

Medicare Part D - Congressional Democrats Might Use Budget Reconciliation Process To Pass Medicare


Congressional Democrats Might Use Budget Reconciliation Process To Pass Medicare Bill (Medical News Today)
Leaders of the House and Senate Budget committees on Tuesday said that they might use the fiscal year 2009 budget reconciliation process to pass a Medicare bill with a provision to prevent a scheduled 10% reduction in physician reimbursements, CQ Today reports.

Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News)
Doctors and officials at Haywood Regional Medical Center are accusing state inspectors of being heavy-handed, draconian, unprecedented, dangerous and unfair by pulling the hospital s Medicare and Medicaid status.

Medicare Part D - Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News) Doctors


Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News)
Doctors and officials at Haywood Regional Medical Center are accusing state inspectors of being heavy-handed, draconian, unprecedented, dangerous and unfair by pulling the hospital s Medicare and Medicaid status.

Medicare Advantage plans ripe for fraud (Deseret Morning News)
When Medicare introduced Part D coverage to pay for prescription drugs in 2006, it gave seniors a golden opportunity to save money and crooks a golden opportunity to steal it.

D.C. Health Alliance Faulted on Eligibility Control (Washington Post)
The D.C. Healthcare Alliance, the city's safety net for poor, uninsured residents, might have allowed hundreds of ineligible people to receive benefits because of inadequate or nonexistent controls, according to a 17-month audit released yesterday.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Teams with the State


Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Teams with the State of Indiana to Combat Obesity (The San Francisco Examiner)
INDIANAPOLIS , Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With obesity at the forefront of today's health concerns, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in collaboration with the Indiana Department of Health today announced that they will be hosting trainings for both physicians and clinicians to identify, prevent and manage obesity in both adults and children.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company Initiatives Honored With BlueWorks(R) Awards for Improving Healthcare (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), in collaboration with the Harvard Medical Schools Department of Health Care Policy, announced that four Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are recipients of BlueWorks(R) awards.

Blue Cross of California Honored with Two BlueWorks(R) Awards (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Blue Cross of California's Self-Care Initiative and Member Health Index have been honored as 2007 BlueWorks winners. A program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, BlueWorks recognizes the innovative ways Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are working to increase the efficiency and consistency of care delivery nationwide.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Landacorp Announce Medical Management Contract Renewal (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
CHICO, Calif.----Landacorp, a SHPS company, today announced an agreement to continue its contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina . Under the terms of the agreement, Landacorp will continue providing its maxMC medical management software to BCBSNC for an additional three years, including the case management and care coordination modules.

Formulary Finder


Formulary Finder

Medicare Part D - Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare, According To Recent NAIC Survey


Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare, According To Recent NAIC Survey (Medical News Today)
The first waves of baby boomers turn 62 this year and begin claiming Social Security benefits. And, according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many are confused about their post-retirement health insurance options, including their Medicare eligibility.

U.S. Joins Surgeon s Suit | Hospital accused of fraud (The State)
A whistle-blowing popular Sumter surgeon has prompted a federal probe into alleged Medicare and Medicaid irregularities at Tuomey regional hospital. In the first court hearing on the matter Wednesday, U.S. Judge Matthew Perry dealt the Sumter hospital two blows. He ruled that a Justice Department-backed lawsuit against Tuomey can proceed and that crucial evidence can be part of the case. That ...

Omnicare Appoints James D. Shelton to Board of Directors (Finanzen.net)
Omnicare, Inc. (NYSE:OCR), one of the nation s leading providers of pharmaceutical care for the elderly, today announced the appointment of James D. Shelton to its Board of Directors. Mr. Shelton s appointment represents the first ...

Medicare Part D - Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (Boston Globe) New Hampshire Sen. Judd


Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (Boston Globe)
New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg has introduced legislation designed to help pull Medicare back from the brink of insolvency.

Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News)
Doctors and officials at Haywood Regional Medical Center are accusing state inspectors of being heavy-handed, draconian, unprecedented, dangerous and unfair by pulling the hospital s Medicare and Medicaid status.

U.S. Joins Surgeon s Suit | Hospital accused of fraud (The State)
A whistle-blowing popular Sumter surgeon has prompted a federal probe into alleged Medicare and Medicaid irregularities at Tuomey regional hospital. In the first court hearing on the matter Wednesday, U.S. Judge Matthew Perry dealt the Sumter hospital two blows. He ruled that a Justice Department-backed lawsuit against Tuomey can proceed and that crucial evidence can be part of the case. That ...

February 27, 2008

Medicare Part D - Growth In National Health Expenditures Projected To Remain Steady Through


Growth In National Health Expenditures Projected To Remain Steady Through 2017; Health Spending Growth, USA (Medical News Today)
Growth in health care spending in the United States is projected to be 6.7 percent in 2007, according to a report issued today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Average annual growth is expected to remain near that rate through 2017, the report said. The analysis was prepared by CMS's Office of the Actuary and published online by the journal Health Affairs.

Baby boomers confused about Medicare (UPI)
A survey of U.S. baby boomers found most confused about Medicare age eligibility and what is covered under the federal health plan.

Choosing A Medicare Advantage Plan (Investor's Business Daily via Yahoo!


Choosing A Medicare Advantage Plan (Investor's Business Daily via Yahoo! News)
Medicare Advantage plans are popular. They are the private-company version of the federal government's Medicare program. And 9.2 million people enrolled in 2007, continuing an upward trend.

Baby boomers confused about Medicare (UPI)
A survey of U.S. baby boomers found most confused about Medicare age eligibility and what is covered under the federal health plan.

Medicare Part D - Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News) Doctors


Many say Medicare action too heavy-handed (Smoky Mountain News)
Doctors and officials at Haywood Regional Medical Center are accusing state inspectors of being heavy-handed, draconian, unprecedented, dangerous and unfair by pulling the hospital s Medicare and Medicaid status.

Medicare Advantage plans ripe for fraud (Deseret Morning News)
When Medicare introduced Part D coverage to pay for prescription drugs in 2006, it gave seniors a golden opportunity to save money and crooks a golden opportunity to steal it.

Health Care Spending to Double to $4.3 Trillion by 2017; Boomers Drive Medicare (Senior Journal)
Feb. 26, 2008 The cost of health care in the U.S. is expected to continue to outpace inflation and gobble up more of the nation s gross domestic product (GDP), according to an analysts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Baby Boomers Confused About Medicare, According To Recent NAIC Survey (Medical News Today)
The first waves of baby boomers turn 62 this year and begin claiming Social Security benefits. And, according to new research from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), many are confused about their post-retirement health insurance options, including their Medicare eligibility.

How to retire well and well off (Bankrate.com via Yahoo!


How to retire well and well off (Bankrate.com via Yahoo! Finance)
Fitness guru Jack LaLanne and investment adviser Matthew J. Rettick team up on new book to help you live well into retirement while having enough money to enjoy it.

Medicare card hard to leave behind (Charleston Daily Mail)
A Putnam County retiree says my column two weeks ago addressing the hazards of carrying Social Security cards did not tell the whole story. Arnold Werner, an 84-year-old FMC retiree, said I omitted any reference to the Medicare card.

Boomers spur health options (The Myrtle Beach Sun News)
1/83/8 DALLAS | "Making it to Medicare" has become one of the biggest challenges for baby boomers who retire or are laid off before 65. Individual health insurance can be expensive. More than half of the pre-65 boomers on such policies spend at least $300 in monthly premiums for single coverage, according to the Commonwealth Fund, a Washington-based policy institute.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company Initiatives Honored With BlueWorks(R)


Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company Initiatives Honored With BlueWorks(R) Awards for Improving Healthcare (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA), in collaboration with the Harvard Medical Schools Department of Health Care Policy, announced that four Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are recipients of BlueWorks(R) awards.

Blue Cross Blue Shield helps free clinics (WPBN Traverse City)
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is trying to improve access to health care coverage by renewing one million dollars in grants to free clinics across the state.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D costs down, Oregon enrollment up (BizJournals) A


Medicare Part D costs down, Oregon enrollment up (BizJournals)
A new national survey found that 84 percent of eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries in Oregon have enrolled in the program for 2008, up 5 percent from the previous year to 358,923 members.

Gregg introduces Medicare legislation (WCAX-TV Vermont)
Associated Press - February 26, 2008 1:15 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg has introduced legislation designed to help pull Medicare back from the brink of...

Medicare Advantage plans ripe for fraud (Deseret Morning News)
When Medicare introduced Part D coverage to pay for prescription drugs in 2006, it gave seniors a golden opportunity to save money and crooks a golden opportunity to steal it.

The Democratic Debate in Cleveland (New York Times)
The following is a transcript of the Democratic presidential debate on MSNBC in Cleveland, Ohio, as provided by the Federal News Service.

Medicare Part D - Health Care Spending to Double to $4.3 Trillion by 2017;


Health Care Spending to Double to $4.3 Trillion by 2017; Boomers Drive Medicare (Senior Journal)
Feb. 26, 2008 The cost of health care in the U.S. is expected to continue to outpace inflation and gobble up more of the nation s gross domestic product (GDP), according to an analysts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Senate passes Indian health legislation (Helena Independent Record)
WASHINGTON, D.C. The Senate overwhelmingly agreed Tuesday to renew long-overdue Indian health legislation that would fund medical services through 2017 and improve the quality of care provided in Indian Country.

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