Latest Medicare Update March 31, 2008 at 01:40 PM

« February 2008 | Main | April 2008 »

March 31, 2008

Medicare Part D - Covering the Bases: Extra help means extra paperwork (The Capital)


Covering the Bases: Extra help means extra paperwork (The Capital)
I am eligible for extra help to help me pay my Medicare Part D expenses. Every year they send me a form that I have to fill out in order to continue with this benefit. Why is this necessary?

Restoring rating system is part of solution (Salem Statesman Journal)
"... let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

AARP: Brand name drug prices soar (Ahwatukee Foothills News)
According to a report released by the American Association of Retired Persons, pharmaceutical companies have substantially raised prices on 220 brand name prescription drugs most commonly used by people in Medicare Part D since implementation of the drug benefit in 2006.

Bird flu kills 2 more in Indonesia (USA Today) Two


Bird flu kills 2 more in Indonesia (USA Today)
Two more people have died of bird flu in Indonesia, bringing the death toll in the country worst hit by the virus to 107, the health ministry said Monday.

Indonesian health ministry says two children die of bird flu (Channel NewsAsia)
JAKARTA- Two Indonesian children who died last week were victims of the bird flu virus, the health ministry said Monday, taking the number of confirmed fatal cases to 107 in the country worst hit by the disease.

Indonesia: Bird Flu Kills 2 People In Indonesia, Bringing Country's Death Toll To 107 (Sin Chew Jit Poh)
JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Two more people have died of bird flu in Indonesia, bringing the death toll in the country worst hit by the virus to 107, the health ministry said Monday (31 Mar).

Monetize your insurability with life insurance (Bradenton Herald) Many people


Monetize your insurability with life insurance (Bradenton Herald)
Many people overlook this important asset, which if managed effectively, could significantly boost their net worth. The emergence of a secondary market for life insurance is the driving force behind the ability to monetize your insurability.

John Hancock Led Industry in New Long-Term Care Insurance Sales in 2007 (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
John Hancock Life Insurance Company sold more long-term care insurance than any other carrier in 2007, according to recent year-end surveys of long-term care insurers by LIMRA International .

Medicare Part D - Restoring rating system is part of solution (Salem Statesman Journal)


Restoring rating system is part of solution (Salem Statesman Journal)
"... let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

Frustrated Brothers Tackle Medicare Part D, Lower Costs Industry-Wide (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The concept for a comprehensive website that gives prescription drug consultation and a customized, exhaustive ranking of Medicare Part D plans started when two brothers, Phillip and Edward Boles, tried to find a plan for their mother.

Baby boomers have options in starting Social Security benefits (Orange County Register)
Those turning 62 can begin collecting their Social Security benefits, albeit at a lower level than if they wait a few years.

Economic Stimulus Payments Not Counted as Income for SSI or Part D Help (Senior Journal)
March 24, 2008 - The special economic stimulus payments authorized by Congress in February will not affect the benefits of persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy or other federal benefits.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Donates $7,500 to


Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Donates $7,500 to San Luis Valley American Red Cross to Assist Residents ... (The San Francisco Examiner)
DENVER , March 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation announced today that it has made a $7,500 grant to the San Luis Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist women in the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program obtain baby bottles, formula and water, and to aid volunteers who are distributing water to the citizens of the San Luis Valley who have been ...

Blue Cross mulls strategy (Times Leader)
No longer planning to form a partnership funded by Blue Cross, two Scranton hospitals will look at other ways to work together with the insurance company s help.

Medicare Part D - Democrats target English in 3rd District (Erie Times-News) Republican Phil


Democrats target English in 3rd District (Erie Times-News)
Republican Phil English, of Erie, has faced just one serious re-election challenge during his 14 years in Congress. Democrats from Erie to Washington, D.C., are convinced that 2008 will be the second.

North Dakota news in brief (The Bismarck Tribune)
Conference looks at autism issues The Anne Carlsen Center for Children will bring a special speaker on autism to a Bismarck conference.

Covering the Bases: Extra help means extra paperwork (The Capital)
I am eligible for extra help to help me pay my Medicare Part D expenses. Every year they send me a form that I have to fill out in order to continue with this benefit. Why is this necessary?

Medicare Part D - Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate


Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate Part D Co-Pays For Dual Eligibles In ... (Medical News Today)
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) praised Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and his bipartisan co-sponsors, Tom Allen (D-ME), Stephen Cohen (D-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R- FL), Patric

WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals)
Western New York health insurers are poised for growth from government initiatives that could direct more people into their Medicare plans.

March 30, 2008

Examining The Need For Additional Coverage (The Post-Journal) 3/24/2008 -


Examining The Need For Additional Coverage (The Post-Journal)
3/24/2008 - As individuals retire or age into Medicare, their insurance situation can change dramatically. There are a multitude of options open to those with Medicare. The terms, prices and products offered are dramatically different each year.

Health Notes (Baltimore Sun)


Medicare Business Online(TM) Evaluates State Medicare Advantage Competition (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
KENNEBUNK, Maine----Medicare Advantage plans are evaluating market gains and losses as open-enrollment winds down. To help plans monitor market shifts, Mark Farrah Associates is analyzing competition at the state level.

Medicare Part D - Trillion-dollar tragedy isn't the only script for investors (Market Watch)


Trillion-dollar tragedy isn't the only script for investors (Market Watch)
SEATTLE (MarketWatch) -- We are back to "It's the economy, stupid" -- that memorable slogan from the 1992 presidential campaign. So let's think outside of the box. How could we draw on recent history to avoid wasting trillions of dollars of taxpayer and personal wealth?

Medicare's Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent By 2019, According To Trustees Report (Medical News Today)
The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund will become insolvent by 2019, the estimate given last year, according to a report released on Tuesday by the board of trustees for Medicare and Social Security, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 3/26). The trustees projected that Medicare spending will increase from 3.2% of gross domestic product in 2007 to 10.

Covering the Bases: Extra help means extra paperwork (The Capital)
I am eligible for extra help to help me pay my Medicare Part D expenses. Every year they send me a form that I have to fill out in order to continue with this benefit. Why is this necessary?

Democrats target English in 3rd District (Erie Times-News)
Republican Phil English, of Erie, has faced just one serious re-election challenge during his 14 years in Congress. Democrats from Erie to Washington, D.C., are convinced that 2008 will be the second.

Medicare Health Plans - 2008 Plan Data NEW!


Medicare Health Plans - 2008 Plan Data NEW!

Years before Medicare can be tough to find insurance (Everett


Years before Medicare can be tough to find insurance (Everett Herald)
Kent Odell exercises six times a week and eats healthy foods. He is a lean 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds and says he has no known medical conditions. His blood pressure is low, and his cholesterol clocks in well below the recommended level.

AARP: Brand name drug prices soar (Ahwatukee Foothills News)
According to a report released by the American Association of Retired Persons, pharmaceutical companies have substantially raised prices on 220 brand name prescription drugs most commonly used by people in Medicare Part D since implementation of the drug benefit in 2006.

AARP and NCOA Launch Online Tool to Help Older Americans Access Economic Stimulus Payments (PR Newswire via Yahoo! News)
Applying for economic stimulus payments will now be easier for more than 20 million Americans who normally dont have to file a tax return thanks to the development of a new, user-friendly online tool developed jointly by AARP Tax-Aide and the National Council on Agings (NCOAs) BenefitsCheckUp(R).

Medicare Part D - Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com) Title: Experts Predict Medicare


Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage Category: Health News Created: 3/26/2008 Last Editorial Review: 3/26/2008

Medicare drug subsidy application deadline extended (Business Insurance)
WASHINGTON The deadline for employers to complete the final reconciliation of their applications for the Medicare Retiree Drug Subsidy has been extended by three months for plan years ending in 2006.

WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals)
Western New York health insurers are poised for growth from government initiatives that could direct more people into their Medicare plans.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Donates $7,500 to


Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Donates $7,500 to San Luis Valley American Red Cross to Assist Residents ... (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation announced today that it has made a $7,500 grant to the San Luis Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist women in the Women, Infant and Children program obtain baby bottles, formula and water, and to aid volunteers who are distributing water to the citizens of the San Luis Valley who have been affected by the recent Salmonella water ...

Blue Cross mulls strategy (Times Leader)
No longer planning to form a partnership funded by Blue Cross, two Scranton hospitals will look at other ways to work together with the insurance company s help.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Renews EDS Information Technology Services Contract (The San Francisco Examiner)
PLANO, Texas and PHOENIX , March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDS and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) today announced the two companies have renewed their 20-year relationship.

Medicare Part D - Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com) Title: Experts Predict Medicare


Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage Category: Health News Created: 3/26/2008 Last Editorial Review: 3/26/2008

Social Security, Medicare in trouble (KING5 Seattle)
Trustees for the government's two biggest benefit programs warned that Social Security and Medicare are facing "enormous challenges" with the threat to Medicare's solvency far more severe.

AARP: Brand name drug prices soar (Ahwatukee Foothills News)
According to a report released by the American Association of Retired Persons, pharmaceutical companies have substantially raised prices on 220 brand name prescription drugs most commonly used by people in Medicare Part D since implementation of the drug benefit in 2006.

Presidential hopefuls are mum on Medicare and Social Security woes (Los Angeles Times)
A new government report predicts when each will go into the red, but the candidates appear reluctant to touch the subject matter. With the presidential campaign going full tilt, a new government report on a big national problem is usually followed by volleys of rhetoric from the candidates. But on Tuesday, when the annual report on the precarious state of Medicare and Social Security came ...

Medicare Part D - WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals) Western New York health


WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals)
Western New York health insurers are poised for growth from government initiatives that could direct more people into their Medicare plans.

Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage Category: Health News Created: 3/26/2008 Last Editorial Review: 3/26/2008

Get acquainted with Medicare enrollment at a quarterly information meeting (The Greenville News)
Every day, someone turns 65 and is eligible for Medicare.

Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate Part D Co-Pays For Dual Eligibles In ... (Medical News Today)
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) praised Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and his bipartisan co-sponsors, Tom Allen (D-ME), Stephen Cohen (D-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R- FL), Patric

March 29, 2008

Medicare Part D - Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate


Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate Part D Co-Pays For Dual Eligibles In ... (Medical News Today)
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) praised Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and his bipartisan co-sponsors, Tom Allen (D-ME), Stephen Cohen (D-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R- FL), Patric

AARP: Brand name drug prices soar (Ahwatukee Foothills News)
According to a report released by the American Association of Retired Persons, pharmaceutical companies have substantially raised prices on 220 brand name prescription drugs most commonly used by people in Medicare Part D since implementation of the drug benefit in 2006.

Social Security, Medicare in trouble (KING5 Seattle)
Trustees for the government's two biggest benefit programs warned that Social Security and Medicare are facing "enormous challenges" with the threat to Medicare's solvency far more severe.

Economic Stimulus Payments Not Counted as Income for SSI or Part D Help (Senior Journal)
March 24, 2008 - The special economic stimulus payments authorized by Congress in February will not affect the benefits of persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy or other federal benefits.

Medicare Part D - Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com) Title: Experts Predict Medicare


Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Experts Predict Medicare Fund Shortage Category: Health News Created: 3/26/2008 Last Editorial Review: 3/26/2008

WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals)
Western New York health insurers are poised for growth from government initiatives that could direct more people into their Medicare plans.

Blue Cross-backed Hospital Affiliation terminated (Times Leader) The proposed merger


Blue Cross-backed Hospital Affiliation terminated (Times Leader)
The proposed merger of Community Medical Center and Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton will not take place, hospital officials said Thursday.

Blue Cross mulls strategy (Times Leader)
No longer planning to form a partnership funded by Blue Cross, two Scranton hospitals will look at other ways to work together with the insurance company s help.

Blue Cross building project turns corner (The Advocate)
Five years after finalizing a plan to expand its campus, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana expects to wrap up a major expansion more than $33 million in work by December.

Medicare Part D - Medicare's Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent By 2019, According


Medicare's Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent By 2019, According To Trustees Report (Medical News Today)
The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund will become insolvent by 2019, the estimate given last year, according to a report released on Tuesday by the board of trustees for Medicare and Social Security, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 3/26). The trustees projected that Medicare spending will increase from 3.2% of gross domestic product in 2007 to 10.

Economic Stimulus Payments Not Counted as Income for SSI or Part D Help (Senior Journal)
March 24, 2008 - The special economic stimulus payments authorized by Congress in February will not affect the benefits of persons receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Food Stamps, the Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy or other federal benefits.

WNY insurers envision Medicare upswing (BizJournals)
Western New York health insurers are poised for growth from government initiatives that could direct more people into their Medicare plans.

Medicare Part D - Medicare's Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent By 2019, According


Medicare's Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent By 2019, According To Trustees Report (Medical News Today)
The Medicare hospital insurance trust fund will become insolvent by 2019, the estimate given last year, according to a report released on Tuesday by the board of trustees for Medicare and Social Security, the New York Times reports (Pear, New York Times, 3/26). The trustees projected that Medicare spending will increase from 3.2% of gross domestic product in 2007 to 10.

Home Health Services receives recognition (Muskogee Phoenix)
Muskogee Regional Home Health Services has received a Certificate of Achievement from the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Oklahoma.

Medicare drug subsidy application deadline extended (Business Insurance)
WASHINGTON The deadline for employers to complete the final reconciliation of their applications for the Medicare Retiree Drug Subsidy has been extended by three months for plan years ending in 2006.

Long Term Care Organizations Praise Representative Doggett's Effort To Eliminate Part D Co-Pays For Dual Eligibles In ... (Medical News Today)
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) and the American Health Care Association (AHCA) praised Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and his bipartisan co-sponsors, Tom Allen (D-ME), Stephen Cohen (D-TN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R- FL), Patric

Additional information in this months archive:


©2006 Medicare-News.com. All rights reserved.