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September 30, 2008

Medicare Part D - Sorting out Medicare's parts and penalties (San Diego Union-Tribune) Do


Sorting out Medicare's parts and penalties (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Do I need to start Medicare Parts B and D when I turn 65? I will be 65 in January and currently have medical coverage from my previous employer, from whom I retired. Because the coverage is for hospital treatment, doctor visits and medications, do I need to sign up for Medicare Parts B and D when I sign up for Part A?

Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD)
Medicare officials urged beneficiaries to scrutinize their prescription drug coverage, warning that coverage in the plans may change significantly in 2009.

Faster genetic test for flu virus approved (The San Luis


Faster genetic test for flu virus approved (The San Luis Obispo Tribune)
The government approved a new genetic test for the flu virus Tuesday that will allow labs across the country to identify flu strains within four hours instead of four days. The timesaving test could be crucial if a deadly new strain emerges, federal health officials said. The new test also could help doctors make better treatment decisions during a conventional flu season. The new test was ...

Suspected bird flu victim dies (Bangkok Post - Thailand's English news)
PHICHIT : A worker on a free-range duck farm died from bird flu-like symptoms in Pho Prathap Chang district yesterday, and health authorities put his 12-year-old son under close observation for signs of infection with the virus.

New Applied Biosystems test diagnoses flu fast (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
A fast new genetic flu test from Applied Biosystems Inc and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday.

New Applied Biosystems test diagnoses flu fast (AlertNet)
Source: Reuters By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - A fast new genetic flu test from Applied Biosystems Inc and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...

Heath Ledger's $10 Million Life Insurance Payout Stalled By Suicide


Heath Ledger's $10 Million Life Insurance Payout Stalled By Suicide Investigation: Report (MTV Asia)
The insurance company that held a $10 million life insurance policy on late actor Heath Ledger has not yet paid out because the company believes the actor's death was "suspicious." If the company deems his death a suicide, the policy would be invalid.

Law suit over Heath Ledger life insurance (Handbag.com)
A trustee for Heath Ledger's daughter is suing a life insurance company for refusing to pay out on the late actor's policy.

Covering The Bases: (The Capital) Q: Is there any information


Covering The Bases: (The Capital)
Q: Is there any information available yet about the costs of Medicare premiums, deductibles and co-payments for 2009? A: Yes, Medicare has released that information, which includes good news for beneficiaries.

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro: Judge Approves Two National Classes in AWP Drug Litigation (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Two major pharmaceutical companies are facing the fire this week after U.S. District Judge Patti Saris approved two national classes in the Average Wholesale Price litigation, allowing plaintiffs to pursue litigation against AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. under unfair and deceptive trade practice laws of more than 30 states.

Carolina Forest boys and girls take cross country meet (The


Carolina Forest boys and girls take cross country meet (The Myrtle Beach Sun News)
Tariku Ashenofi won the boys competition to lead the Panthers to a sweep of the top four spots as the Carolina Forest boys and girls cross country teams each won a three-team meet on Tuesday. Dashawn Brockington finished fifth for the Myrtle Beach boys team. On the girls side, Carolina Forest's Emily Schassler took first while Myrtle Beach's Paige Cox was second.

Cross country finishes in second (Daily Illini)
The Orange and Blue freshmen led the men's cross country team to a second-place finish in the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on Saturday. Freshman Jim Riddle led the Illini, finishing the 8K race in a time of 25:02, good enough for sixth place. Big Ten Runner of the Week Jeremy Stevens crossed the finish line just two seconds behind Riddle to finish in seventh place.

Vt. Blue Cross and Blue Shield President Milnes to retire (The Burlington Free Press)
BERLIN William R. Milnes, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, has announced he will retire later this year after 10 years with the plan and nearly 34 years with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system, plan officials said today. Milnes, 62, will step down Nov. 30. Don George, vice president of managed health systems for BCBSVT and senior vice ...

Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Week (McHenry County Sports)
Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Week Anthony Manfrin Dundee-Crown, sophomore Manfrin won the Crystal Lake South Invitational Saturday at Veteran Acres Park in 16:46, leading the Chargers to the team title by a 33-point margin.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps


Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009. (PRWeb Sep 27, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1393254.htm

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009. (PRWeb Sep 27, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1393044.htm

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap5 Ways to Lower


Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
5 Ways to Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap

AARP On Medicare Premium Announcement: Brief Relief For Struggling Americans,


AARP On Medicare Premium Announcement: Brief Relief For Struggling Americans, No Time To Rest For Washington (Medical News Today)
AARP issued a statement today in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announcement of the 2009 Medicare premiums. The statement, from AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond, follows: "Millions of people in Medicare who called, e-mailed and walked the halls of Capitol Hill earlier this year can breathe a sigh of relief today.

Most Medicare Drug Premiums Same or Lower in 2009 (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Most Medicare Drug Premiums Same or Lower in 2009 Category: Health News Created: 9/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 9/26/2008

Medicare Part D - Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part


Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Centre Daily Times)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/be227e/key_markets_in_med) has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009. (PRWeb Sep 27, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1393254.htm

Medicare Part D - Medicare-PartD.com Brings 2009 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Information Online (PRWeb)


Medicare-PartD.com Brings 2009 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Information Online (PRWeb)
Medicare-PartD.com brings newly released 2009 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan information online with Part D plans summarized on both national and state levels. In 2009, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to see increased premiums and a reduction in the number of available Part D plans. Low-Income Subsidy recipients should also prepare for fewer choices as Part D plans raise monthly ...

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009.

Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD)
Medicare officials urged beneficiaries to scrutinize their prescription drug coverage, warning that coverage in the plans may change significantly in 2009.

Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

September 29, 2008

Blue Cross wins two employer awards (BizJournals) Blue Cross Blue


Blue Cross wins two employer awards (BizJournals)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina received two awards this week recognizing it as a top employer.

USC University Hospital and USC/Norris Cancer Hospital Named Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers(SM) (Centre Daily Times)
Blue Shield of California has named both USC University Hospital and USC/Norris Cancer Hospital as Blue Distinction Centers for Complex and Rare Cancers, focusing on complex inpatient and surgical care.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps


Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009.

Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Centre Daily Times)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/be227e/key_markets_in_med) has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Medicare Part D - Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part


Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009. (PRWeb Sep 27, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1393044.htm

Medicare Part D - Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part


Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Centre Daily Times)
Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/be227e/key_markets_in_med) has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD)
Medicare officials urged beneficiaries to scrutinize their prescription drug coverage, warning that coverage in the plans may change significantly in 2009.

Medicare-PartD.com Brings 2009 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Information Online, USA (Medical News Today)
The Medicare-PartD.com website now offers Medicare beneficiaries and advocates an insight into the 2009 prescription drug plans. Based on the extensive 2009 Medicare Part D plan information recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare-PartD.com has developed national and state one-page interactive Part D plan summaries.

Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Medicare Part D - Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost $3 More in 2009


Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost $3 More in 2009 but Lower Price Options Available to Most (Senior Journal)
Sept. 25, 2008 - The average monthly premium for a Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan will jump about $3 in 2009 to $28. But, Medicare say, about 97 percent of senior citizens will have access to drug and health plans in 2009 whose premiums would be the same or less than in 2008. It may, however, mean changing plans, according to an announcement today by Medicare of drug plan and ...

Research and Markets: Evaluate the Key Markets of Medicare Part D and Discover the Market Impact, Key Therapeutic ... (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
DUBLIN, Ireland----Research and Markets has announced the addition of Decision Resources, Inc.'s new report "Key Markets in Medicare Part D" to their offering.

Watertown Town Council implores Blue Cross to cut ties with


Watertown Town Council implores Blue Cross to cut ties with "No Place for Hate" (Needham Times)
Town Council unanimously adopted a resolution that Blue Cross end its endorsement of No Place for Hate because of the Anti-Defamation League's refusal to unambiguously acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and end its active opposition to Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Rate hikes approved for Blue Cross, United (The Providence Journal)
The Rhode Island health insurance commissioner has approved rate increases for Blue Cross and UnitedHealthcare policies covering small-group employers.

September 28, 2008

Medicare Part D - Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD) Medicare officials urged


Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD)
Medicare officials urged beneficiaries to scrutinize their prescription drug coverage, warning that coverage in the plans may change significantly in 2009.

Medicare-PartD.com Brings 2009 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Information Online (PRWeb)
Medicare-PartD.com brings newly released 2009 Medicare Part D prescription drug plan information online with Part D plans summarized on both national and state levels. In 2009, Medicare beneficiaries can expect to see increased premiums and a reduction in the number of available Part D plans. Low-Income Subsidy recipients should also prepare for fewer choices as Part D plans raise monthly ...

Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost $3 More in 2009 but Lower Price Options Available to Most (Senior Journal)
Sept. 25, 2008 - The average monthly premium for a Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plan will jump about $3 in 2009 to $28. But, Medicare say, about 97 percent of senior citizens will have access to drug and health plans in 2009 whose premiums would be the same or less than in 2008. It may, however, mean changing plans, according to an announcement today by Medicare of drug plan and ...

Medicare-PartD.com Brings 2009 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Information Online, USA (Medical News Today)
The Medicare-PartD.com website now offers Medicare beneficiaries and advocates an insight into the 2009 prescription drug plans. Based on the extensive 2009 Medicare Part D plan information recently released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare-PartD.com has developed national and state one-page interactive Part D plan summaries.

Volunteer Calendar: Sept. 28 (The Norwich Bulletin) Volunteer Calendar: Sept.


Volunteer Calendar: Sept. 28 (The Norwich Bulletin)
Volunteer Calendar: Sept. 28.

Final Part D Marketing Rules Hit on Eve of '09 Selling Season; New Entrants Face Hurdles (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Part D plans now are scrambling to implement CMS's new Part D marketing rules by the start of the Oct. 1 selling season. And some industry observers assert that the regulations could make it harder for new entrants into the market to attract members.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps


Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009. (PRWeb Sep 27, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/09/prweb1393254.htm

Medicare Warns of Part D Changes (WebMD)
Medicare officials urged beneficiaries to scrutinize their prescription drug coverage, warning that coverage in the plans may change significantly in 2009.

Medicare Beneficiaries Face Loss of Low Income Subsidy; BenefitsCheckUp Helps Determine Eligibility for Benefit (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
Medicare beneficiaries who receive the Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS), which helps low income people pay for prescription drugs, could benefit from BenefitsCheckUp if they lose their deemed or automatic eligibility, for 2009.

Delay in Medicare's New Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program


Delay in Medicare's New Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program Affecting Certain Areas of the Country
What's Changing Congress has acted to delay the new competitive bidding program that started on July 1, 2008. What You Need to Know You now can continue to get your Medicare-covered equipment and supplies from any Medicare-approved supplier. If you changed your supplier when this new program started, you can continue to use the new supplier, or choose another supplier. Medicare is continuing to make sure you can get the supplies and services you need. We will post more information about the new program in the future. For the most up-to-date list of all Medicare-approved suppliers in your area, visit Find Suppliers of Medical Equipment in Your Area. We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

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