Medicare News

W. P. Carey Closes Sale-Leaseback Financing With Blue Cross and

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:40:14 -0500

W. P. Carey Closes Sale-Leaseback Financing With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
NEW YORK, NY-- - Investment firm W. P. Carey & Co. LLC announced today that CPA :17 - Global, one of its publicly held non-traded REIT affiliates, has closed on a sale-leaseback financing with Blue Cross ...

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Announces Winners of the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is pleased to announce the winners of the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge. The 20 Colorado schools with the highest percentage of participation in the program won a live dance party at their school hosted by Radio Disney AM 1690.

Medicare Part D - Covering the Bases: Look into options for medicine not covered

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:30:09 -0500

Covering the Bases: Look into options for medicine not covered by Part D plan
I was just prescribed a prescription (Xanax) for my nerves. I have Medicare Part D and my plan refuses to cover this medicine. Doesn't Part D have to cover prescription medicines ordered by a physician? Medicare Part D plans are required to cover a rather comprehensive list of prescription medicines. However, federal law prohibits many Medicare Part D plans from covering medicines classified as ...

Pharmacists say marketing of Medicare drug plans is misleading
A community pharmacy association has asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow disgruntled patients to switch Part D plans midyear.

Medicare annual disenrollment period
During the period of Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, an existing Medicare Advantage member can dis-enroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare and a standalone part D plan if they do not have other creditable coverage (meaning Rx coverage at least as good as the standard Part D plan offered by Medicare).

Statement by Walgreens President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness Services and Solutions Kermit Crawford Regarding ...
"Based on our preliminary analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, Medicare Part D plans with Walgreens in their network gained market share in the aggregate, while those without Walgreens lost market share.

Additional Healthcare Coverage Needs For An Aging PopulationAs our population

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:40:17 -0500

Additional Healthcare Coverage Needs For An Aging Population
As our population ages and healthcare costs increase, retirees need to ensure that their medical coverage is complete.

Health Savings Accounts After Medicare
You can continue withdrawing from an HSA after joining Medicare, but you won't be able to make new contributions.

Medicare Part D - Covering the Bases: Look into options for medicine not covered

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:30:08 -0500

Covering the Bases: Look into options for medicine not covered by Part D plan
I was just prescribed a prescription (Xanax) for my nerves. I have Medicare Part D and my plan refuses to cover this medicine. Doesn't Part D have to cover prescription medicines ordered by a physician? Medicare Part D plans are required to cover a rather comprehensive list of prescription medicines. However, federal law prohibits many Medicare Part D plans from covering medicines classified as ...

Pharmacists Ask Medicare to Help Seniors Complaining About Inadequate Pharmacy Access in Medicare Prescription Drug ...
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medicare officials should swiftly authorize a Special Enrollment Period to allow patients to enroll in a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if the patient believes that material misrepresentations led them to sign up for a "preferred network" plan with inadequate pharmacy access, the National Community Pharmacists Association ...

Medicare annual disenrollment period
During the period of Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, an existing Medicare Advantage member can dis-enroll from their Medicare Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare and a standalone part D plan if they do not have other creditable coverage (meaning Rx coverage at least as good as the standard Part D plan offered by Medicare).

Health Net to sell Medicare Part D business to CVS
At least one stock analyst believes the deal positions the company to be acquired by another health insurer.

Medicare & You 2010 Medicare & You contains important information

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:40:06 -0500

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 fraud alertTUCSON - Are you or is someone in

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:35:04 -0500

Medicare fraud alert
TUCSON - Are you or is someone in your family on Medicare? The News 4 Investigators has an important fraud alert impacting nearly 1,000 people, most of them right here in Tucson.

AARP's Inside E Street Investigates Issues at the Heart of American Life
Maryland Public Television releases weekly series that goes beyond the sound bite to empower Baby Boomers and their families

Gingrey joins other congressmen in open letter to AARP concerning Medicare reform
Today, GOP Doctors Caucus members and Senate physicians released an open letter to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), urging them to join the Caucus efforts to salvage Medicare. U...

Medicare Part D - Statement by Walgreens President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness Services

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:06 -0500

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Announces Winners of the

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:45:09 -0500

Medicare Part D - Statement by Walgreens President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness Services

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:30:08 -0500

Statement by Walgreens President of Pharmacy Health and Wellness Services and Solutions Kermit Crawford Regarding ...
"Based on our preliminary analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data, Medicare Part D plans with Walgreens in their network gained market share in the aggregate, while those without Walgreens lost market share.

Medicare Part D: A flashpoint in Florida GOP primary debate
Medicare is a testy subject in Florida, home to 3.3 million seniors. Romney charged that Gingrich lobbied lawmakers to approve legislation creating a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Gingrich denied lobbying, but -; aware of his audience -; Gingrich expressed pride in having supported Medicare Part D. "It has saved lives," Gingrich said. "It's run on a free enterprise model."

Truth Squad: Did Gingrich lobby for Medicare Part D?
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of having lobbied in favor of Medicare Part D, the federal program that provides drugs for senior citizens, during Monday night's Republican debate in Tampa, Florida. Romney said other congressmen said they were lobbied by Gingrich at the time.

W. P. Carey Closes Sale-Leaseback Financing With Blue Cross and

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:25:03 -0500

W. P. Carey Closes Sale-Leaseback Financing With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
NEW YORK, NY-- - Investment firm W. P. Carey & Co. LLC announced today that CPA :17 - Global, one of its publicly held non-traded REIT affiliates, has closed on a sale-leaseback financing with Blue Cross ...

Blue Cross provides tool for cost-conscious members
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is trying to make it easy for its members to do comparison shopping in an effort to rein in healthcare costs.

Medicare Part D - Truth Squad: Did Gingrich lobby for Medicare Part D?Former Massachusetts

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:25:04 -0500

Truth Squad: Did Gingrich lobby for Medicare Part D?
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of having lobbied in favor of Medicare Part D, the federal program that provides drugs for senior citizens, during Monday night's Republican debate in Tampa, Florida. Romney said other congressmen said they were lobbied by Gingrich at the time.

Pharmacists say marketing of Medicare drug plans is misleading
A community pharmacy association has asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow disgruntled patients to switch Part D plans midyear.

Lewis Chamberlain: Better understand how Medicare medication programs work
Medicare Part D provides insurance coverage for prescription medications. Under this program, insurance companies and other private firms contract with Medicare (Medicare pays most of the premium) to provide prescription drug benefits to Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Part D: A flashpoint in Florida GOP primary debate
Medicare is a testy subject in Florida, home to 3.3 million seniors. Romney charged that Gingrich lobbied lawmakers to approve legislation creating a new prescription drug benefit under Medicare. Gingrich denied lobbying, but -; aware of his audience -; Gingrich expressed pride in having supported Medicare Part D. "It has saved lives," Gingrich said. "It's run on a free enterprise model."

Medicare Part D - Press Release"Based on our preliminary analysis of the Centers for

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:25:06 -0500

Press Release
"Based on our preliminary analysis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data, Medicare Part D plans with Walgreens in their network gained market share in the aggregate, while those without Walgreens lost market share.

Truth Squad: Did Gingrich lobby for Medicare Part D?
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of having lobbied in favor of Medicare Part D, the federal program that provides drugs for senior citizens, during Monday night's Republican debate in Tampa, Florida. Romney said other congressmen said they were lobbied by Gingrich at the time.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Announces Winners of the

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:45:06 -0500

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Announces Winners of the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is pleased to announce the winners of the Get Active, Get Fit School Challenge. The 20 Colorado schools with the highest percentage of participation in the program won a live dance party at their school hosted by Radio Disney AM 1690.

W. P. Carey Closes Sale-Leaseback Financing With Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
NEW YORK, NY-- - Investment firm W. P. Carey & Co. LLC announced today that CPA :17 - Global, one of its publicly held non-traded REIT affiliates, has closed on a sale-leaseback financing with Blue Cross ...

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Launches Innovative Program to Enhance Primary Care by Rewarding Physicians for ...
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut today announced an innovative, patient centered primary care program that will fundamentally change its relationship with primary c

Blue Cross provides tool for cost-conscious members
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is trying to make it easy for its members to do comparison shopping in an effort to rein in healthcare costs.

Lewis Chamberlain: Find the Medigap policy that meets your needsAlthough

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:30:09 -0500

Lewis Chamberlain: Find the Medigap policy that meets your needs
Although Medicare covers many health care costs, you still have to pay certain coinsurance and deductible amounts, and there are services that Medicare does not cover.

Groundhog Day: 7 mistakes retirees make repeatedly
Despite the best of intentions, retirees tend to make the same money mistakes over and over and over again.

Jill on Money: Income, retirement, student loans
After the Fed decision to keep interest rates low, where can you turn to beef up your income? We also help you juggle bank accounts and plan for retirement.

Medicare Part D - Medicare Advantage premiums down 7 percent on average, enrollment up

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:26:33 -0500

Medicare Advantage premiums down 7 percent on average, enrollment up 10 percent
Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average and enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since this time last year, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced to

Health Net sells Medicare unit to CVS for $160M
Health Net Inc. said Monday it will sell its Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug business to CVS Caremark for $160 million.Health Net said the business has about 400,000 members in 49 states ...

FTC terms Omnicare's proposed acquisition of PharMerica illegal
The Federal Trade Commission issued a complaint to block Omnicare, Inc.'s hostile acquisition of rival long-term care pharmacy provider PharMerica Corporation, alleging that the combination of the two largest U.S. long-term care pharmacies would harm competition and enable Omnicare to raise the price of drugs for Medicare Part D consumers and others.