2008 Social Security and Medicare increases
D EAR SAVVY SENIOR: Can you give me a full rundown on the Social Security and Medicare increases for 2008? – Looking Ahead
Archive for November, 2007
THE COVERAGE GAP; Avoiding Medicare’s Big Hole
A gap in Medicare’s prescription drug coverage is helping to curb growth in the nation’s drug spending by pushing people toward low-cost generic drugs.
Neil Downing: You can’t enroll in 2 Medicare drug plans at the same time
If you’re a beneficiary of the federal Medicare health insurance program, you have until the end of this month to sign up for a prescription drug plan under Medicare Part D, which helps cover your outpatient prescription drug costs.
CQRC Statement on the NY Times Article on Medicare’s Home Oxygen Benefit
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Today’s New York Times story on home oxygen therapy omits salient facts about home oxygen therapy and the critical role it plays in keeping some of Medicare‘s sickest beneficiaries in their own homes as they manage the effects of debilitating and irreversible lung disease.
NCPA Statement on Bogus PCMA Study About Cost to Fix Medicare Part D
ALEXANDRIA, Va. has released a study falsely claiming that pending legislation requiring prompt payment of Medicare Part D prescription drug claims will cost billions of dollars.
Medicare Spends Billions Annually on Products Available at Lower Prices
Nov 30, 2007 – “Despite enormous buying power, Medicare pays far more” than individuals for equipment and services that are “available at far lower prices from retail pharmacies and online stores,” the New York Times reports.
Help with complex Medicare Part D
Medicare beneficiaries signing up for prescription drug coverage now through Dec. 31 have a new Web tool to help them compare plans and costs. Called Plan Finder, the Medicare site lists premiums, co-pays and deductibles by state.
Groups, Lawmakers Lobby Against Medicare Payment Reductions
Advocacy groups have begun to lobby lawmakers as Senate Finance Committee members discuss a Medicare bill that likely will decrease reimbursements for some health care providers to finance the suspension of a 10% reduction in payments for physicians scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2008, CQ HealthBeat reports.
AHIC Recommends E-Prescribing Mandate For Medicare
The American Health Information Community on Wednesday recommended that HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt seek authority from Congress to mandate electronic prescribing in Medicare, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Flu vaccine price reduced
The Calhoun County Department of Public Health has reduced the cost of its flu vaccines to $25 for adults and children. It is still free to those with Medicaid and Medicare.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES; Oxygen Suppliers Fight to Keep a Medicare Boon
Medicare spends billions of dollars each year on products and services that are available at far lower prices, according to a New York Times analysis of federal data.
LETTER; Medicare’s ‘Doughnut Hole’
To the Editor:.
Group Sues HHS Over Rules Against Coverage Of Medications Prescribed For Off-Label Uses Under Medicare Prescription …
The Medicare Rights Center on Monday filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York City over CMS rules under which the Medicare prescription drug benefit does not cover medications prescribed for off-label uses, The Hill reports.
AHA Responds To Medicare Hospital Payment Change Proposal
The American Hospital Association on Tuesday said proposed changes that would base Medicare hospital payment on quality-of-care measures could create financial problems for hospitals, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Shilpa Medicare gets EDQM nod for carboplatin, may launch product in Europe in 2008
The Karnataka based Shilpa Medicare Ltd, has received the certificate of suitability of monographs of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines for carboplatin. The company has plans to enter into the US and CIS markets in a big way during 2008.