Medicare News

Medicare Part D - AARP Warns Of 'doughnut Hole' Check Scams U.S. seniors in

2010-09-03T10:10:05Z

AARP Warns Of 'doughnut Hole' Check Scams
U.S. seniors in Medicare Part D get their $250 "doughnut hole" checks in the mail, and people who say they can help get the checks are scammers, AARP warns.

Understanding Medicare, Overcoming Caregiver Fatigue, Among Topics at Geriatric Care Ministry Program
The School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University is sponsoring an innovative Geriatric Care Ministry Program to help clergy of all faiths improve the quality-of-life for older people in their communities.

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-09-02T15:30:06Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - AARP warns of 'doughnut hole' check scams WASHINGTON, Aug. 31

2010-09-01T10:10:04Z

AARP warns of 'doughnut hole' check scams
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. seniors in Medicare Part D get their $250 "doughnut hole" checks in the mail, and people who say they can help get the checks are scammers, AARP warns. Medicare Part D - Medicare Part D coverage gap - AARP - Medicare - United States

Medicare Beneficiaries receive prescription drug cost relief by Affordable Care Act
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that more than 1 million Medicare beneficiaries have received prescription drug cost relief through the Affordable Care Act.

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-08-31T15:30:07Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - Miller: U.S. Going Bankrupt, States Need Control Tea Party-Backed Alaskan

2010-08-30T10:10:06Z

Miller: U.S. Going Bankrupt, States Need Control
Tea Party-Backed Alaskan Challenger Wants Less Federal Money; Must Look at Option to Privatize Social Security

Help sought for dialysis patients
Most of us don't struggle to make time for work. But people on kidney dialysis do. When the kidneys fail, machines do their vital work. But it's not a streamlined process like getting gas for the car.

Ballot to shape budget
Washington voters could reshape the state s budget outlook for the next couple of years, depending how they weigh in Nov. 2 on six citizen initiatives and a referendum from the Legislature.

Know What to do about the Flu. Seasonal flu shots

2010-08-29T15:30:05Z

Know What to do about the Flu.
Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Drug Plan Changes And Prices Could Surprise Seniors The

2010-08-28T10:10:07Z

Medicare Drug Plan Changes And Prices Could Surprise Seniors
The Associated Press: An effort to streamline the entangled field of Medicare drug plans could mean as many as 3 million seniors "could force 3 million seniors to switch plans next year whether they like it or not, says an independent analysis," by Avalere Health: "beneficiaries will see their prescription plan eliminated as part of a new effort by Medicare to winnow down duplicative coverage ...

How to Combine Medicare Part B with Medicare Part D
Los Angeles - Miami, FL - HealthInsuranceFinders.com News and Information Center today covered the topic "Not everybody on Medicare has the same coverage". In fact the goal of the Medicare reforms that have been enacted over the past decade or so have been to give seniors more options.

Protecting Medicare Benefits and Offering Clear Choices for Seniors
Cross-posted from HealthCare.gov We ve heard from seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries that sorting through the over 4,000 prescription drug plan choices, many of which offer similar benefits, can be a confusing and time-consuming process. Experts agree. That s why seniors on Medicare, health policy researchers supported CMS efforts to make the Medicare Prescription Drug program less ...

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-08-27T15:25:15Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - Medicare 101 to be topic Action for Older Persons, Inc.

2010-08-26T10:10:07Z

Medicare 101 to be topic
Action for Older Persons, Inc. is presenting a free seminar on Medicare 101 at 2 p.m. Sept. 14 at its offices at 30 West State St. in Binghamton.

ObamaCare:
While many of Obama Care's major pieces won't kick in until 2014, a few big changes are already under way -- and offering an early taste of what's in store for American health care. It ain't pretty. Think: greater government control, less competition and fewer options...

Medicare Reimbursement Restrictions for Physician-Owned Hospitals: PlanPrescriber Offers Advice for Patients
MAYNARD, MA--(Marketwire - August 24, 2010) - A provision in the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act of 2010 places limits on physician-owned hospitals with immediate restrictions on expansion for existing hospitals. The Act also requires that new doctor-owned facilities be certified by December 31, 2010 in order to participate in Medicare. Today PlanPrescriber ( www ...

Premiums For Medicare Prescription Drug Plans To Remain Low In 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that average 2011 Medicare prescription drug plan premiums will remain similar to rates beneficiaries are currently paying this year. This, coupled with new discounts for brand-name drugs through the Affordable Care Act, will help make medications more affordable for Medicare beneficiaries in 2011 and beyond...

Know What to do about the Flu. Seasonal flu shots

2010-08-25T15:25:05Z

Know What to do about the Flu.
Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available.

Medicare Part D - The Savvy Senior: Changes coming to Medicare Advantage Dear Savvy

2010-08-24T10:05:06Z

The Savvy Senior: Changes coming to Medicare Advantage
Dear Savvy Senior, How much will the new health care reform law affect Medicare Advantage? My wife and I have used an Advantage plan for the past three years and would like to find out if we should stay with what we have, or go back to Original Medicare. What can you tell us? Concerned Retirees

Toolkit Designed to Help Drive Efforts to Fix Broken Payment System
As part of an ongoing effort to replace the current Medicare physician payment system with a more equitable system that better rewards the provision of primary care services, the AAFP has developed a toolkit to help family physicians and their patients generate support for fixing the system.

Lentz earns endorsement
State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161, of Swarthmore, the Democratic candidate in the 7th Congressional District race, was recently endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-23T15:25:04Z

Medicare & You 2010
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 2009, there are 59 geographic-specific versions with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.

Medicare Part D - Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost About $1 More in

2010-08-22T10:05:05Z

Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost About $1 More in 2011, Says CMS
Aug. 19, 2010 The average monthly premium for a standard Medicare Part D drug plan in 2010 will be about one dollar more than this year, according the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency adds, however, that new discounts for brand-name drugs through the Affordable Care Act should make medications more affordable in the future.

New NMA President to Tackle Womens Health, Environmental Illnesses and Economic Relief for Black Physicians
WASHINGTON (NNPA) Leonard Weather Jr., M.D., R.Ph. has been named the 111th president of the D.C.-based National Medical Association, an organization representing more than 30,000 Black physicians around the nation and their patients.

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-21T15:25:05Z

Medicare Part D - U.S. says Medicare drug plan costs steady in 2011 U.S.

2010-08-20T10:05:05Z

U.S. says Medicare drug plan costs steady in 2011
U.S. health officials said on Wednesday they expect Medicare patients enrolled in the federal health insurance program's prescription drug benefit to see their premium costs remain flat next year.

Modest premium increase for Medicare drug plans
Seniors will see a modest increase in their Medicare prescription premiums next year but benefits will also improve, federal health officials said yesterday.

Average Medicare Drug Plan to Cost About $1 More in 2011, Says CMS
Aug. 19, 2010 The average monthly premium for a standard Medicare Part D drug plan in 2010 will be about one dollar more than this year, according the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The agency adds, however, that new discounts for brand-name drugs through the Affordable Care Act should make medications more affordable in the future.

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-19T15:25:04Z

Medicare Part D - Antibiotic Use by Medicare Patients Stokes Concerns Researchers found an

2010-08-18T10:05:07Z

Antibiotic Use by Medicare Patients Stokes Concerns
Researchers found an increase in the use of newer antibiotics that are more expensive and more likely to lead to bacterial resistance.

Research Is Key To Making Good Choices During The Shortened Medicare Enrollment Season
Health Plan One, a general agent in the online health insurance market, seeks to guide seniors to choose carefully when selecting their Medicare Advantage (MA) or Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan. Seniors will have only one opportunity to make changes to their Medicare plans during the Annual Enrollment Period this November 15 through December 31. Here are five tips for seniors researching ...

Learn More About Plans in Your Area Part of the

2010-08-17T15:25:04Z

Learn More About Plans in Your Area
Part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder tool that will help you to identify the plans in your state.

Medicare Part D - More Medicare Part D Checks In The Mail The Department

2010-08-16T10:05:06Z

More Medicare Part D Checks In The Mail
The Department of Health and Human Services has mailed out a third round of $250 checks to help seniors who enter the Medicare Part D coverage pay gap for prescription drugs, WCAX [in Vermont] reports. "The one-time payment aims to close a gap in coverage for prescription medication. The rebates will go to about 9,000 Vermonters whose out-of-pocket expenses already total more than $940 for the ...

Medicare Part D 'donut hole' checks coming to NH
The U.S. Health Department says it has mailed out the third round of one-time, tax-free $250 rebate checks to help cover the so-called Medicare "donut hole." Medicare - Medicare Part D coverage gap - Medicare Part D - Politics - United States

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-08-15T15:25:04Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - More Medicare Part D Checks In The Mail The Department

2010-08-14T10:05:04Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-08-13T15:25:05Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - THV Working for You: Medicare Part D fraud Thanks to

2010-08-12T10:05:10Z

THV Working for You: Medicare Part D fraud
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, close to 6,500 Arkansas seniors and persons with disabilities who rely on Medicare for access to health care have received new help with their prescription drug costs.

Improved Drug Coverage Under Medicare Associated With Increases In Antibiotic Use
Antibiotic use appears to have increased among older adults whose prescription drug coverage improved as a result of enrolling in Medicare Part D, with the largest increases for broad-spectrum, newer and more expensive drugs, according to a report in the August 9/23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals."Overuse of antibiotics is a common and important ...

Medicare Part D 'donut hole' checks coming to NH
The U.S. Health Department says it has mailed out the third round of one-time, tax-free $250 rebate checks to help cover the so-called Medicare "donut hole." Medicare - Medicare Part D coverage gap - Medicare Part D - Politics - United States

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-11T15:25:20Z

Medicare Part D - Rebate helps fill the drug-coverage gap More than 3 million

2010-08-10T10:05:08Z

Rebate helps fill the drug-coverage gap
More than 3 million people fall into the Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage gap, or "doughnut hole," each year. Millions more live in fear of reaching this expensive gap in their prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Doughnut Hole Checks
Part of the new Health Care Reform bill is trying to fill the gap in what they call the "doughnut hole." This is for seniors in the Medicare Part D program who have expensive prescription drugs that they must pay for out of pocket.

Know What to do about the Flu. Seasonal flu shots

2010-08-09T15:25:14Z

Know What to do about the Flu.
Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available.

Medicare Part D - Troopers Put a Halt on a Portion of the Regional

2010-08-08T10:05:05Z

Troopers Put a Halt on a Portion of the Regional Detroit Drug Trade
More than one thousand Oxycontin pills were found and four arrests were made, putting a halt on part of the drug trade from Detroit to Huntington.

Texas' open U.S. attorney posts languish under President Barack Obama
WASHINGTON With more than a third of his term elapsed, President Barack Obama has left four of the biggest plums in Texas unfilled U.S. attorney jobs that have launched countless political careers.

Health care reform changes kick in next month -- we tell you what to expect
Individuals and businesses will start to see changes in health coverage in coming months as a result

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-07T15:25:06Z

Medicare Part D - Andy Griffith Medicare Ad Prompts Showdown With GOP Veteran television

2010-08-06T10:05:04Z

Andy Griffith Medicare Ad Prompts Showdown With GOP
Veteran television star Andy Griffith appeared in a new commercial for Medicare that promotes health law changes the administration says should help seniors, such as free wellness visits and lower drug costs, U.S. News & World Report writes. "The commercial, launched on the 45th anniversary of Medicare last week, is part of a public education campaign about changes to Medicare benefits. Retirees ...

Senior LIVING News...
The following report is from Jerome Helman, M.D.: I share a special anniversary. In 1965 I graduated from medical school just as Medicare was implemented. On July 30 we celebrated 45 years since the creation of this seminal health care program.

Why I'll Keep Accepting Medicare Patients
Like every other family physician with Medicare patients, I was horrified when Congress failed to stop the 21.3 percent Medicare payment cut that took effect June 1. A few weeks later, I sighed with relief when Congress finally rescinded the cut and passed a 2.2 percent payment increase. But that modest increase is only until Nov. 30. After that, who knows what will happen?

MyMedicare.gov MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits,

2010-08-05T15:25:05Z

MyMedicare.gov
MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits, eligibility, enrollment (including prescription drug plans) and preventive health information - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit the site, sign up, and Medicare will mail you a password to allow you access to your personal Medicare information. MyMedicare.gov also allows you to view your adjudicated claims information, access online forms and publications, and receive important messages from Medicare.

Medicare Part D - Hospitals That Report Patient Infection Rates Will Receive Higher Medicare

2010-08-04T10:05:08Z

Hospitals That Report Patient Infection Rates Will Receive Higher Medicare Payments
New HHS Regulations Require Public Reporting of Certain Hospital Acquired Infections

New programs help federal workers weed out wasteful payouts
Death apparently comes with certain privileges. Democratic Rep. Bill Barrett won a primary contest in 1976 for his long-held South Philadelphia seat after he died. Weed - Law - Workers' Compensation - United States - Agriculture

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-08-03T15:25:04Z

Medicare Part D - HHS And CMS Officials Celebrate 45 Years Of Health Security

2010-08-02T10:05:07Z

HHS And CMS Officials Celebrate 45 Years Of Health Security Through Medicare Release New Ad Featuring Andy Griffith
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services celebrates the 45th anniversary of Medicare, the Federal health care program that guarantees health security and coverage for people over 65 and younger people with disabilities, and is releasing a new advertisement featuring Andy Griffith describing important improvements to Medicare made by the Affordable Care Act in advance of Medicare Open ...

MCOs Offering Both Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans are More Than Twice as Likely to Cover Avastin and Herceptin as ...
HealthLeaders-InterStudy and Fingertip Formulary find that surveyed pharmacy directors whose managed care organizations offer both a Medicare Advantage and a Part D plan were more than twice as likely to cover Roche/Genentech/Chugai's Avastin and Herceptin for the treatment of multiple cancer indications as a drug benefit on their MA plans as on their stand-alone Part D plans.

Medicare changes coming for seniors
Medicare changes coming for seniors

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Monday, August 2, 2010
The CNN Washington Bureaus morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world. WASHINGTON/POLITICAL For the latest political news: www.CNNPolitics.com CNN Poll: How public views political parties With just over three months until November's midterm elections, a new national poll gives a picture of how Americans view the [...]

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-08-01T15:25:05Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - Andy Griffith Video Explaining Affordable Care Act Released Today as

2010-07-31T10:05:04Z

Andy Griffith Video Explaining Affordable Care Act Released Today as Medicare Turns 45
July 30, 2010 It was in 1965 that a hard-fought battle to provide a healthcare safety net for senior citizens came to an end with President Lyndon B. Johnson signing Medicare into law.

Medicare changes coming for seniors
Medicare changes coming for seniors

MyMedicare.gov MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits,

2010-07-30T15:25:04Z

Medicare Part D - What Does the Ariz. Immigration Verdict Mean? Judge Susan Bolton

2010-07-29T10:05:04Z

What Does the Ariz. Immigration Verdict Mean?
Judge Susan Bolton Rules That the Power to Regulate Immigration Lies Only With the Federal Government

Why The Heritage Foundation is Wrong About the CLASS Act
The voluntary long-term care insurance program should be adjusted, not repealed.

Abortion, Other Issues Continue To Stoke The Politics Surrounding Health Reform
Politico reports that "the issues of health care and abortion" are making the campaign tough for some Democrats. Among the vulnerable Democrats are Reps. Kathleen Dahlkemper, D-Pa.; Steve Driehaus, D-Ohio; and Indiana Reps. Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth, who is running for Senate. "'We are going to do everything we can to point out that Democrats who said they were pro-life caved on the big ...

Gillibrand to tackle Medicaid, Medicare abuse
July 20, 2010 U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced last week new legislation she is introducing to cut down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud, which she said is costing New Yorkers $5 billion annually.

MyMedicare.gov MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits,

2010-07-28T15:25:06Z

Medicare Part D - POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 The CNN Washington

2010-07-27T10:05:07Z

POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The CNN Washington Bureaus morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world. WASHINGTON/POLITICAL For the latest political news: www.CNNPolitics.com CNN: Obama blasts GOP opposition to campaign finance bill President Barack Obama on Monday criticized Republican opposition to a Senate campaign finance bill, calling it partisan ...

Wonkbook: Obama protects EPA option; deficit tops $1.4 trillion; deportations surge
Following the apparent death of cap and trade, a White House aide says that President Barack Obama will veto any bill limiting the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. That means that for now, the response to climate change will be located in the executive branch, where 60 votes aren't needed to act, but where action comes in the form of blunt regulations rather than a price on ...

Reid Still Facing Frustrated Voters Despite Uptick in Nevada Race
An internal memo from a polling group aligned with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shows the economy is causing a "serious problem" for Reid's re-election effort.

Palin Mama Grizzly Shows Limits of Woman Wisdom: Amity Shlaes
Women just feel it. They sense trouble and will instinctually right it. Theyre like mama grizzly bears, who kind of just know when somethings wrong and when to raise a paw to stop it. So women should get to govern now. Or else.

Know What to do about the Flu. Seasonal flu shots

2010-07-26T15:25:04Z

Know What to do about the Flu.
Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available.

Medicare Part D - Lower Southampton couple's car scam runs out of gas When

2010-07-25T10:05:04Z

Lower Southampton couple's car scam runs out of gas
When police set up surveillance of the Russian couple's home, Corvettes, Audis and other high-end cars backed into the driveway where young men tinkered with dashboards.

Medicare drug benefit boosts use of heart failure meds
The Medicare drug benefit may be helping more older Americans with heart failure get the medications recommended for controlling the disease, a new study finds.

Learn More About Plans in Your Area Part of the

2010-07-24T15:25:08Z

Learn More About Plans in Your Area
Part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder tool that will help you to identify the plans in your state.

Medicare Part D - Medicare drug benefit boosts use of heart failure meds The

2010-07-23T10:05:06Z

Medicare drug benefit boosts use of heart failure meds
The Medicare drug benefit may be helping more older Americans with heart failure get the medications recommended for controlling the disease, a new study finds.

Florida is a center for Medicare corruption in the United States
Among South Florida's fearless Medicare rip-offs - and there are thousands - is the story of Guillermo Denis Gonzalez.

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-07-22T15:25:04Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Medicare Part D - Beware 'Big Fixes' Why Congress should have moved more slowly

2010-07-21T21:01:18Z

Beware 'Big Fixes'
Why Congress should have moved more slowly on health care reform -- and Medicare, Social Security, and its other historical marquee items George W. Bush - Social Security - Washington Post - United States - United States Congress

Avoid new Medicare rebate scam
The New York State Insurance Department is warning senior citizens dont get cheated out of your $250 Medicare rebate check.

Some senior citizens will be getting rebate checks
Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) recently announced that the next round of more than 300,000 eligible seniors who have entered the Medicare Part D donut hole this year have been mailed their tax-free, one-time rebate check for $250.

Sarah Ryley: Free Medical Care Ends for Haitians (Part 1)
For the fifth day now, Lubin Rosenie waited in the sweltering hallway of H pital Adventiste d'Ha ti's emergency department, patients buzzing in and out as she held her gut.

Learn More About Plans in Your Area Part of the

2010-07-20T15:25:06Z

Learn More About Plans in Your Area
Part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder tool that will help you to identify the plans in your state.

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

2010-07-18T15:25:03Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap This page will

2010-07-16T15:25:04Z

Lower Your Costs During the Coverage Gap
This page will help you to learn 5 ways to lower your costs during the coverage gap.

Learn More About Plans in Your Area Part of the

2010-07-14T15:25:04Z

Learn More About Plans in Your Area
Part of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder tool that will help you to identify the plans in your state.

Know What to do about the Flu. Seasonal flu shots

2010-07-12T15:25:04Z

Know What to do about the Flu.
Seasonal flu shots are available right now. H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is being shipped and will soon be widely available.