Latest Medicare Update May 31, 2009 at 11:35 PM

« April 2009 | Main | June 2009 »

May 31, 2009

All Aren't Happy With Health Insurance For All (NPR) Requiring


All Aren't Happy With Health Insurance For All (NPR)
Requiring all Americans to have health insurance is one of the proposals now being considered in Washington, D.C. Massachusetts already requires its residents to be insured, but people aren't always able to afford a policy, even when the state helps out.

ON THE MONEY: Exercise care when changing insurance policies (Arizona Daily Star)
It's ironic. Insurance is supposed to make you feel safe. Whether you buy life insurance, annuities, disability or long-term-care insurance, the idea is to remove the threat of some nasty surprise hurting you or your family at some point in the future.

Her life insurance was a good idea she may no longer need (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)
QDo I still need life insurance? I am a 51-year-old single woman whose two daughters have gotten their college degrees and are working and living on their own.

Medicare Part D - Departing chief of HUMC had grand vision (The Record and


Departing chief of HUMC had grand vision (The Record and Herald News)
Where others saw a mishmash of buildings in a town mocked in comedy and song, John P. Ferguson saw a chance to build a medical empire.

Departing chief of HUMC had grand vision (The Record and Herald News)
The street in front of Hackensack University Medical Center is called John P. Ferguson Drive. The only photo in the hospital s imposing lobby shows John P. Ferguson, with a framed message telling everyone who passes that "one person can make a world of difference."

Feds discuss U.S. sales tax (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
WASHINGTON With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax.

States consider cutting drug help for seniors (San Francisco Chronicle)
Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma. She counts on financial help from Rhode Island when her Medicare Part D insurance plan maxes out and no... Related: Medicare Part D - Insurance - Rhode Island - Medicare - Health insurance

Medicare Part D - Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Face Reduced Social Security Benefits (CQPolitics.com


Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Face Reduced Social Security Benefits (CQPolitics.com via Yahoo! News)
New Social Security recipients and upper-income seniors could face a steep increase in their monthly Medicare premiums for the next two years, according to an analysis released Tuesday by a nonprofit health research group.

Departing chief of HUMC had grand vision (The Record and Herald News)
The street in front of Hackensack University Medical Center is called John P. Ferguson Drive. The only photo in the hospital s imposing lobby shows John P. Ferguson, with a framed message telling everyone who passes that "one person can make a world of difference."

Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News Today)
A panel of senior advocates and health policy experts gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss current efforts to reform our national health care system and a growing consensus that Medicare should play a role in that debate. "We know there will be savings found in Medicare to help pay for system-wide health care reform.

Medicare Part D - Hospital sponsors Medicare seminar on June 9 in Denison (Denison


Hospital sponsors Medicare seminar on June 9 in Denison (Denison Bulletin & Review)
Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future? Have you been on Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers? Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues?

Health care roulette (Yakima Herald-Republic)
Barbara Smith, who currently has health insurance coverage through the state's Basic Health Plan is waiting to see if she will lose her coverage at the end of June. She won't meet the age requirement for Medicare until April of next year and is unsure of how she'd bridge the gap in coverage until then.

Blue Cross adds Via Christi to network (The Wichita Eagle)


Blue Cross adds Via Christi to network (The Wichita Eagle)
Via Christi Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas announced Thursday that they have signed a five-year contract that will make Via Christi's hospitals part of the Blue Cross network.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota launches nationwide CEO search (The Fargo Forum)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has launched a nationwide search for a new president and chief executive officer. Achieve Optimal Health inside and out. Call Catalyst Medical Center today for more information at 701-365-8700. CATALYST MEDICAL CENTER - Ends Dec 31, 2009

Blue Cross files countersuit against Newton Memorial (New Jersey Herald)
Herald Staff Report Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has filed a countersuit against Newton Memorial Hospital, according to a Horizon press release issued late Thursday, saying the hospital has prevented it from contacting its members receiving treatment there.

Medicare Part D - Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News


Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News Today)
A panel of senior advocates and health policy experts gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss current efforts to reform our national health care system and a growing consensus that Medicare should play a role in that debate. "We know there will be savings found in Medicare to help pay for system-wide health care reform.

The doctor is in ... your own home (The State)
Dale Hamrick s patients love his bedside banter, his no-nonsense style and the fact that he always comes to them. Click here for an audio slideshow.

Plane accident kills two (The Spectrum)
CEDAR CITY - A plane crashed Friday in eastern Garfield County moments after multiple complaints were received from Boulder residents concerning a low-flying aircraft. The two-seat Storch singe engine airplane went down about 8:45 a.m. near the Calf Creek Recreational Area, killing Boulder resident John Austin, age 64, and Susan D. Jordan, age 67, from California.

Secretary Sebelius Announces Appointment of Cindy Mann as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
WASHINGTON----U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the appointment of Cindy Mann to serve as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations , part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .

May 30, 2009

Medicare Part D - Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News


Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News Today)
A panel of senior advocates and health policy experts gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss current efforts to reform our national health care system and a growing consensus that Medicare should play a role in that debate. "We know there will be savings found in Medicare to help pay for system-wide health care reform.

Elder Law Seminars hosted by Flushing House (Queens Courier)
Are you a senior citizen stuck on a financial roller coaster due to the Medicare Part D doughnut hole?

MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere To CMS Medication Therapy Management Initiative (Medical News Today)
MEDai, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, a leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced that its solutions are actively assisting Medicare Part D benefit sponsors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate, calling all Medicare Part D to offer members a medication therapy management (MTM) program.

Cox protests Blue Cross Blue Shield rate hikes (Detroit Free


Cox protests Blue Cross Blue Shield rate hikes (Detroit Free Press)
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox filed a petition Thursday to stop proposed individual rate hikes for more than 400,000 individual Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan customers. "Blue Cross should stop putting profits over people and focus on its mission as the insurer of last resort," Cox said in a statement announcing the challenge.

Wyden Open To Public Health Care Option If His Plan Stalls (The Huffington Post)
Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is a key player in the health care debate, the sponsor of the only bipartisan health care bill in the Senate. Backers of the major Democratic plan, which would allow patients to buy into a public plan, see Wyden's bill, however, as an obstacle preventing centrist Democrats from fully jumping aboard the public-option train.

BCBS Increases Rates For Individuals In Michigan, Pennsylvania (Medical News Today)
The following summarizes news about BlueCross BlueShield Association plans increasing rates in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Michigan: State Attorney General Mike Cox (R) on Thursday filed a petition to stop a proposed rate increase by the not-for-profit Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for more than 400,000 individual policyholders, the Detroit Free Press reports.

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.

In Brief: Deadline today to vote absentee (Memphis Commercial Appeal)


In Brief: Deadline today to vote absentee (Memphis Commercial Appeal)
Voters across the state have until noon today to cast absentee ballots at municipal clerks' offices for Tuesday's elections.

Elders rely on state aid if Medicare maxes out (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma.

Medicare Part D - Secretary Sebelius Announces Appointment of Cindy Mann as Director of


Secretary Sebelius Announces Appointment of Cindy Mann as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations (Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance)
WASHINGTON----U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the appointment of Cindy Mann to serve as Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations , part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services .

National sales tax mulled to offset debt (The Star-Ledger)
With budget deficits soaring and President Obama pushing a trillion-dollar-plus expansion of health coverage, some Washington policymakers are taking a fresh look at a money-making idea long considered politically taboo: a national sales tax. Common around the world, including in...

SPIN METER: Sotomayor's contradictory images (AP via Yahoo! News)
There are two sides to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor: a Latina from a blue-collar family and a wealthy member of America's power elite.

Medicare Part D - Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Face Reduced Social Security Benefits (CQPolitics.com


Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Face Reduced Social Security Benefits (CQPolitics.com via Yahoo! News)
New Social Security recipients and upper-income seniors could face a steep increase in their monthly Medicare premiums for the next two years, according to an analysis released Tuesday by a nonprofit health research group.

MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere To CMS Medication Therapy Management Initiative (Medical News Today)
MEDai, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, a leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced that its solutions are actively assisting Medicare Part D benefit sponsors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate, calling all Medicare Part D to offer members a medication therapy management (MTM) program.

States consider cutting drug help for seniors (San Francisco Chronicle)
Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma. She counts on financial help from Rhode Island when her Medicare Part D insurance plan maxes out and no... Related: Medicare Part D - Insurance - Rhode Island - Medicare - Health insurance

Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News Today)
A panel of senior advocates and health policy experts gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss current efforts to reform our national health care system and a growing consensus that Medicare should play a role in that debate. "We know there will be savings found in Medicare to help pay for system-wide health care reform.

AHCA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Humana and


AHCA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Humana and Availity to Address Proven Health IT Benefits at Spring Health ... (PRWeb via Yahoo! News)
The Collaborative Communications Summit announces that AHCA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF), Humana and Availity will participate on a panel discussion addressing the critical role Health IT is playing transforming healthcare information exchange at the upcoming Spring CCS Health IT Summit taking place June 16 and 17, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Blue Cross files countersuit against Newton Memorial (New Jersey Herald)
Herald Staff Report Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has filed a countersuit against Newton Memorial Hospital, according to a Horizon press release issued late Thursday, saying the hospital has prevented it from contacting its members receiving treatment there.

Blue Cross adds Via Christi to network (The Wichita Eagle)
Via Christi Regional Medical Center and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas announced Thursday that they have signed a five-year contract that will make Via Christi's hospitals part of the Blue Cross network.

Medicare Part D - Elders rely on state aid if Medicare maxes out (Worcester


Elders rely on state aid if Medicare maxes out (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma.

Linden Lodge: NAMI Builds a New Home for Dreams (The Southern Pines Pilot)
"I just never realized how much I'd enjoy using a crowbar," says Laura Gingerich with a self-assured voice and energetic smile. "It really was so fun. We tore this old kitchen out in one day and put it all in my husband's pickup truck and off to the dump." Gingerich and others had the satisfying opportunity of tearing out that old kitchen and building a new one -- mirroring their hope of ...

Elder Law Seminars hosted by Flushing House (Queens Courier)
Are you a senior citizen stuck on a financial roller coaster due to the Medicare Part D doughnut hole?

Millions of Medicare Beneficiaries Face Reduced Social Security Benefits (CQPolitics.com via Yahoo! News)
New Social Security recipients and upper-income seniors could face a steep increase in their monthly Medicare premiums for the next two years, according to an analysis released Tuesday by a nonprofit health research group.

May 29, 2009

Medicare Part D - Elder Law Seminars hosted by Flushing House (Queens Courier) Are


Elder Law Seminars hosted by Flushing House (Queens Courier)
Are you a senior citizen stuck on a financial roller coaster due to the Medicare Part D doughnut hole?

Elders rely on state aid if Medicare maxes out (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)
PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma.

Medicare Part D - Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News


Medicare: A Critical Element Of Health Care Reform (Medical News Today)
A panel of senior advocates and health policy experts gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss current efforts to reform our national health care system and a growing consensus that Medicare should play a role in that debate. "We know there will be savings found in Medicare to help pay for system-wide health care reform.

Hospital sponsors Medicare seminar on June 9 in Denison (Denison Bulletin & Review)
Are you going to be eligible for Medicare in the near future? Have you been on Medicare for awhile and want to better understand what it offers? Do you have a family member you help with Medicare issues?

States consider cutting drug help for seniors (San Francisco Chronicle)
Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma. She counts on financial help from Rhode Island when her Medicare Part D insurance plan maxes out and no... Related: Medicare Part D - Insurance - Rhode Island - Medicare - Health insurance

Group wants public health plan (The Iowa City Press-Citizen)
A Coralville-based group and Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, called on Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to push through a bill to provide a federal public health plan for those without health insurance Thursday.

Blue Cross unveils low-cost plans in Miami-Dade, Broward (BizJournals) Blue


Blue Cross unveils low-cost plans in Miami-Dade, Broward (BizJournals)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida will start coverage for new low-cost health insurance plans in Miami-Dade and Broward counties on July 1.

Blue Cross Blue Shield looking for CEO (KVLY - KXJB Fargo)
A Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota board will interview finalists for president and CEO by late June and could name someone to the job by August.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota launches nationwide CEO search (The Fargo Forum)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota has launched a nationwide search for a new president and chief executive officer. Achieve Optimal Health inside and out. Call Catalyst Medical Center today for more information at 701-365-8700. CATALYST MEDICAL CENTER - Ends Dec 31, 2009

Blue Cross to add Via Christi as in-network provider (Wichita Business Journal)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas will be an in-network health insurance provider for the Via Christi Regional Medical Center starting next year, renewing an agreement that was last in place 16 years ago, the insurer announced Thursday.

Medicare Part D - Group wants public health plan (The Iowa City Press-Citizen) A


Group wants public health plan (The Iowa City Press-Citizen)
A Coralville-based group and Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, called on Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, to push through a bill to provide a federal public health plan for those without health insurance Thursday.

Jones: Reader may qualify for Extra Help for drug costs (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
Q: Ms. S of Rising Fawn, Ga., writes: My husband has sent in several applications for the Extra Help in paying his premiums on the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan D. He received a letter saying he was eligible and would be sent more information. His premiums are now due. He really doesn t have the money to pay them. It has been months since he received his eligibility letter. How does he find ...

States consider cutting drug help for seniors (San Francisco Chronicle)
Joanne Devlin needs about 20 prescription drugs to regulate her blood pressure, keep her arthritic joints limber and pain-free and control her asthma. She counts on financial help from Rhode Island when her Medicare Part D insurance plan maxes out and no... Related: Medicare Part D - Insurance - Rhode Island - Medicare - Health insurance

MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere To CMS Medication Therapy Management Initiative (Medical News Today)
MEDai, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, a leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced that its solutions are actively assisting Medicare Part D benefit sponsors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate, calling all Medicare Part D to offer members a medication therapy management (MTM) program.

Medicare Part D - MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere to CMS Medication


MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere to CMS Medication Therapy Management Initiative (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
MEDai, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, a leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced today that its solutions are actively assisting Medicare Part D benefit sponsors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate, calling all Medicare Part D to offer members a medication therapy management program.

MEDai Helps Medicare Part D Sponsors Adhere To CMS Medication Therapy Management Initiative (Medical News Today)
MEDai, Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, a leading provider of advanced solutions for healthcare that utilize award-winning predictive analytics, announced that its solutions are actively assisting Medicare Part D benefit sponsors with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mandate, calling all Medicare Part D to offer members a medication therapy management (MTM) program.

Two Egyptian children have H5N1 bird flu - agency (AlertNet)


Two Egyptian children have H5N1 bird flu - agency (AlertNet)
Source: Reuters CAIRO, May 26 (Reuters) - Two four-year-old Egyptian children have contracted the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus, raising to 76 the number of cases reported in Egypt, the state news agency MENA ...

Scientists develop basis for bird flu vaccine-WHO (AlertNet)
Source: Reuters GENEVA, May 28 (Reuters) - Scientists using virus samples from Egypt have developed the basis of a vaccine against H5N1 bird flu, which is more toxic than the H1N1 swine flu strain but spreads less ...

Bahraini flu patient s co-passengers test negative for H1N1 virus (The Peninsula)
DOHA: None of the Qatar Airways passengers who travelled with the Bahraini who was tested positive for swine flu were infected by the virus, a senior official of the Supreme Council of Health has said.

Hotel evicts swine flu sufferers (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
A decision by a Holiday Inn in Sydney's CBD to evict two swine flu victims has won support from the hotel industry.

Additional information in this months archive:


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