Medicare News Blog http://www.medicarenews.net A news blog on all things Medicare. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:33:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Practical money skills: Preparation key to go on Medicare http://www.medicarenews.net/practical-money-skills-preparation-key-to-go-on-medicare-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/practical-money-skills-preparation-key-to-go-on-medicare-03-2010.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:33:44 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/practical-money-skills-preparation-key-to-go-on-medicare-03-2010.htm Most people are somewhat familiar with Medicare, since it’s likely they or a family member are already covered by the government-provided health insurance program. But with its alphabet soup of options and complex rules, Medicare can be daunting to the uninitiated.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/practical-money-skills-preparation-key-to-go-on-medicare-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Metabolic drugs top the list of prescription drug expenses for elderly Medicare beneficiaries http://www.medicarenews.net/metabolic-drugs-top-the-list-of-prescription-drug-expenses-for-elderly-medicare-beneficiaries-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/metabolic-drugs-top-the-list-of-prescription-drug-expenses-for-elderly-medicare-beneficiaries-03-2010.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:15:05 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/metabolic-drugs-top-the-list-of-prescription-drug-expenses-for-elderly-medicare-beneficiaries-03-2010.htm Purchases of cholesterol and diabetes prescription drugs by elderly Medicare beneficiaries reached nearly $19 billion in 2007 – about one-fourth of the approximately $82 billion spent for medications for the elderly, according to the latest AHRQ News and Numbers.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/metabolic-drugs-top-the-list-of-prescription-drug-expenses-for-elderly-medicare-beneficiaries-03-2010.htm/feed 0 ‘Medigap’ Supplemental Insurance for Medicare: When You Have the Right to Buy It http://www.medicarenews.net/%e2%80%98medigap%e2%80%99-supplemental-insurance-for-medicare-when-you-have-the-right-to-buy-it-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/%e2%80%98medigap%e2%80%99-supplemental-insurance-for-medicare-when-you-have-the-right-to-buy-it-03-2010.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:26:26 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/%e2%80%98medigap%e2%80%99-supplemental-insurance-for-medicare-when-you-have-the-right-to-buy-it-03-2010.htm March 15, 2010 If you have Original Medicare and do not have supplemental insurance from a former employer, you may be able to buy a supplemental coverage policy called a “medigap.” medigaps fill gaps in Original Medicare by covering deductibles, coinsurances and some additional benefits.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/%e2%80%98medigap%e2%80%99-supplemental-insurance-for-medicare-when-you-have-the-right-to-buy-it-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare, Medicaid patients have more trouble finding doctors http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-medicaid-patients-have-more-trouble-finding-doctors-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-medicaid-patients-have-more-trouble-finding-doctors-03-2010.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:26:23 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-medicaid-patients-have-more-trouble-finding-doctors-03-2010.htm If you have private health insurance, you probably take for granted thatmost doctors will take you

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-medicaid-patients-have-more-trouble-finding-doctors-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Healthnet office under federal indictment for Medicare fraud http://www.medicarenews.net/healthnet-office-under-federal-indictment-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/healthnet-office-under-federal-indictment-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm#comments Tue, 16 Mar 2010 02:17:09 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/healthnet-office-under-federal-indictment-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm Two brothers associated with the Healthnet Regional Center of Cuba were indicted Monday by a federal grand jury on multiple counts of submitting false reimbursement claims for non-rendered health services to Medicare and MO HealthNet.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/healthnet-office-under-federal-indictment-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Free Medicare seminar to be held at Senior Solutions http://www.medicarenews.net/free-medicare-seminar-to-be-held-at-senior-solutions-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/free-medicare-seminar-to-be-held-at-senior-solutions-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/free-medicare-seminar-to-be-held-at-senior-solutions-03-2010.htm Senior Solutions offers free Medicare seminars on the fourth Friday of every month at 3 p.m. at its Market Place Cinema Center in Anderson, 3420 Clemson Blvd.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/free-medicare-seminar-to-be-held-at-senior-solutions-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Obama: Health Bill will Help Medicare http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-health-bill-will-help-medicare-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-health-bill-will-help-medicare-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 23:18:50 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-health-bill-will-help-medicare-03-2010.htm President Obama Told Seniors His health care Bill Will Close the Gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-health-bill-will-help-medicare-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Obama tries to reassure seniors, says health care plan will make Medicare stronger…. http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-tries-to-reassure-seniors-says-health-care-plan-will-make-medicare-stronger-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-tries-to-reassure-seniors-says-health-care-plan-will-make-medicare-stronger-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:30:09 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-tries-to-reassure-seniors-says-health-care-plan-will-make-medicare-stronger-03-2010.htm Obama tries to reassure seniors, says health care plan will make Medicare stronger.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-tries-to-reassure-seniors-says-health-care-plan-will-make-medicare-stronger-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Obama seeks to reassure seniors on health care http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-seeks-to-reassure-seniors-on-health-care-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-seeks-to-reassure-seniors-on-health-care-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:04:01 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-seeks-to-reassure-seniors-on-health-care-03-2010.htm With a fresh sense of urgency, President Barack Obama sought to reassure seniors Monday about health care legislation approaching a final vote in Congress, pledging it would make preventive care cost-free and close a gap in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/obama-seeks-to-reassure-seniors-on-health-care-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Healthcare in the Lebanon: Pay Extra Attention Says MediCare International http://www.medicarenews.net/healthcare-in-the-lebanon-pay-extra-attention-says-medicare-international-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/healthcare-in-the-lebanon-pay-extra-attention-says-medicare-international-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:39:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/healthcare-in-the-lebanon-pay-extra-attention-says-medicare-international-03-2010.htm The Lebanon is an important centre for international workers

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/healthcare-in-the-lebanon-pay-extra-attention-says-medicare-international-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare breaches raise privacy fears http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-breaches-raise-privacy-fears-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-breaches-raise-privacy-fears-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-breaches-raise-privacy-fears-03-2010.htm THE problem could become worse with a national health identifier.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-breaches-raise-privacy-fears-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Q&A: How Obama’s Medicare tax plan works http://www.medicarenews.net/qa-how-obama%e2%80%99s-medicare-tax-plan-works-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/qa-how-obama%e2%80%99s-medicare-tax-plan-works-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:43:07 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/qa-how-obama%e2%80%99s-medicare-tax-plan-works-03-2010.htm President Barack Obama, to help pay for his health care overhaul package, is proposing that high-income Americans pay Medicare taxes on the money they make on their investments. Here are some basic questions and answers about this little-discussed provision that could affect millions of people.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/qa-how-obama%e2%80%99s-medicare-tax-plan-works-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Biggest Medicare drug plans raise prices 10 percent on average http://www.medicarenews.net/biggest-medicare-drug-plans-raise-prices-10-percent-on-average-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/biggest-medicare-drug-plans-raise-prices-10-percent-on-average-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:44:40 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/biggest-medicare-drug-plans-raise-prices-10-percent-on-average-03-2010.htm Kaiser Health News staff writer Julie Appleby reports on findings regarding Medicare drug plan costs: “The 10 insurers with the largest numbers of Medicare drug plan customers raised premiums an average of 10 percent this year, an analysis released Friday by consulting firm Avalere Health shows”.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/biggest-medicare-drug-plans-raise-prices-10-percent-on-average-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Retirees can train on Medicare rights http://www.medicarenews.net/retirees-can-train-on-medicare-rights-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/retirees-can-train-on-medicare-rights-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:35:01 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/retirees-can-train-on-medicare-rights-03-2010.htm NYSUT’s retiree members have often been at the forefront of advocacy on Medicare rights issues. Now, a new training program will give them a chance to use that expertise to help their retired sisters and brothers.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/retirees-can-train-on-medicare-rights-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare pay patches persist as medicine demands long-term fix http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-patches-persist-as-medicine-demands-long-term-fix-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-patches-persist-as-medicine-demands-long-term-fix-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:45:21 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-patches-persist-as-medicine-demands-long-term-fix-03-2010.htm The latest plan would delay the pay cut until Oct. 1. Some physicians say they are getting tired of repeatedly being taken to the brink.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-patches-persist-as-medicine-demands-long-term-fix-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare pay formula needs repair, Sebelius says http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-formula-needs-repair-sebelius-says-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-formula-needs-repair-sebelius-says-03-2010.htm#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 02:45:01 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-formula-needs-repair-sebelius-says-03-2010.htm Rep. Michael Burgess, MD, and Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, also spoke at the annual AMA conference. Topics included health reform, obesity and violence prevention.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-pay-formula-needs-repair-sebelius-says-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare gets tough on CT scans http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-gets-tough-on-ct-scans-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-gets-tough-on-ct-scans-03-2010.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-gets-tough-on-ct-scans-03-2010.htm THE Medicare watchdog has expressed “alarm” over the widespread and unnecessary ordering of high-radiation CT scans that can trigger cancer.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-gets-tough-on-ct-scans-03-2010.htm/feed 0 James A. Jaeger: Health reform foes distorting reform’s impact on Medicare http://www.medicarenews.net/james-a-jaeger-health-reform-foes-distorting-reform%e2%80%99s-impact-on-medicare-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/james-a-jaeger-health-reform-foes-distorting-reform%e2%80%99s-impact-on-medicare-03-2010.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:53:48 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/james-a-jaeger-health-reform-foes-distorting-reform%e2%80%99s-impact-on-medicare-03-2010.htm Dear Editor: Unfortunately, many people speaking out against health care reform distort the facts to convince Americans, particularly older adults, that such reform would be harmful. Perhaps the worst distortion is the claim that the reform bills will drastically cut Medicare.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/james-a-jaeger-health-reform-foes-distorting-reform%e2%80%99s-impact-on-medicare-03-2010.htm/feed 0 More Than 90,000 on Medicare Could Be Missing Out on Prescription Aid http://www.medicarenews.net/more-than-90000-on-medicare-could-be-missing-out-on-prescription-aid-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/more-than-90000-on-medicare-could-be-missing-out-on-prescription-aid-03-2010.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:05:39 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/more-than-90000-on-medicare-could-be-missing-out-on-prescription-aid-03-2010.htm By ROBIN WILLIAMS ADAMS The Ledger More than 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida could be missing out on help with their prescriptions.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/more-than-90000-on-medicare-could-be-missing-out-on-prescription-aid-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Many on Medicare Could Get More Help http://www.medicarenews.net/many-on-medicare-could-get-more-help-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/many-on-medicare-could-get-more-help-03-2010.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 10:05:39 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/many-on-medicare-could-get-more-help-03-2010.htm By ROBIN WILLIAMS ADAMS The Ledger LAKELAND | More than 90,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Florida could be missing out on help with their prescriptions. That’s the number thought eligible for, but not enrolled in, an Extra Help program that provides assistance with Part D prescription drug plan costs. Some also may be able to get help with Part B premiums.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/many-on-medicare-could-get-more-help-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Boucher won’t support health reform with Medicare cuts http://www.medicarenews.net/boucher-wont-support-health-reform-with-medicare-cuts-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/boucher-wont-support-health-reform-with-medicare-cuts-03-2010.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:24:25 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/boucher-wont-support-health-reform-with-medicare-cuts-03-2010.htm U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., said Friday he could not support health care reform legislation that includes heavy cuts to Medicare, a position he has held since his first vote against the package and his party’s move to push legislation through Congress.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/boucher-wont-support-health-reform-with-medicare-cuts-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Getting the most from Medicare and other programs http://www.medicarenews.net/getting-the-most-from-medicare-and-other-programs-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/getting-the-most-from-medicare-and-other-programs-03-2010.htm#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:49:03 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/getting-the-most-from-medicare-and-other-programs-03-2010.htm Are people getting the most from programs like medicare and medicaid? The Central Illinois chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association held an educational forum today to cover some of the lesser known aspects of those programs.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/getting-the-most-from-medicare-and-other-programs-03-2010.htm/feed 0 BCH Skilled Nursing Facility in dispute over Medicare http://www.medicarenews.net/bch-skilled-nursing-facility-in-dispute-over-medicare-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/bch-skilled-nursing-facility-in-dispute-over-medicare-03-2010.htm#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 23:06:49 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/bch-skilled-nursing-facility-in-dispute-over-medicare-03-2010.htm The Boone County Hospital’s Skilled Nursing Facility, located on the third floor of the hospital, will not be able to participate in the Medicare program effective March 31, citing under-utilization – a basis the Boone County Hospital says is not included in the Medicare requirements.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/bch-skilled-nursing-facility-in-dispute-over-medicare-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Dentists ‘exploiting’ Medicare scheme http://www.medicarenews.net/dentists-exploiting-medicare-scheme-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/dentists-exploiting-medicare-scheme-03-2010.htm#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:15:36 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/dentists-exploiting-medicare-scheme-03-2010.htm dental health experts say the Federal Government has failed to stop dentists from rorting the Medicare dental scheme.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/dentists-exploiting-medicare-scheme-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Is Medicare Protected As Overhaul Lingers? http://www.medicarenews.net/is-medicare-protected-as-overhaul-lingers-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/is-medicare-protected-as-overhaul-lingers-03-2010.htm#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:57:00 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/is-medicare-protected-as-overhaul-lingers-03-2010.htm If Congress passes ObamaCare, should retirees be on guard? Not necessarily, says Susan Berson, senior health care industry attorney at the Washington, D.C., law firm Mintz Levin and former general counsel for senior markets at insurer UnitedHealth Group.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/is-medicare-protected-as-overhaul-lingers-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Vital Signs: Depending on Medicare as payment cuts loom http://www.medicarenews.net/vital-signs-depending-on-medicare-as-payment-cuts-loom-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/vital-signs-depending-on-medicare-as-payment-cuts-loom-03-2010.htm#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:40:48 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/vital-signs-depending-on-medicare-as-payment-cuts-loom-03-2010.htm Every year or so, Medicare patients and the doctors who treat them go through a ritual of guessing whether physicians’ Medicare payments will be cut, possibly reducing access to care for seniors.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/vital-signs-depending-on-medicare-as-payment-cuts-loom-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Farmington Hills physician convicted for Medicare fraud http://www.medicarenews.net/farmington-hills-physician-convicted-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/farmington-hills-physician-convicted-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:15:29 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/farmington-hills-physician-convicted-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm A Farmington Hills-based physician was convicted Thursday in connection to his role in an $18.3 million Medicare fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/farmington-hills-physician-convicted-for-medicare-fraud-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Hospital looks to improve Medicare payments http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-looks-to-improve-medicare-payments-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-looks-to-improve-medicare-payments-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:54:40 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-looks-to-improve-medicare-payments-03-2010.htm IRON MOUNTAIN – Dickinson County Healthcare System is talking with U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak in an effort to boost its Medicare reimbursements. At a hospital board meeting Thursday, John Schon, DCHS administrator/chief executive, presented a summary of a recent conference call involving several hospital board members, county board members and Rep. Stupak, D-Menominee.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/hospital-looks-to-improve-medicare-payments-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare to cover OVA1 test http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-ova1-test-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-ova1-test-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:29:40 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-ova1-test-03-2010.htm Vermillion, Inc. today announced that Medicare will cover OVA1™, a test to help assess the likelihood that an ovarian mass is benign or malignant. Highmark Medicare services is the CMS contractor that will process Medicare claims for OVA1. Yesterday Highmark announced its decision to cover this new service.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-ova1-test-03-2010.htm/feed 0 Medicare to Cover Vermillion Ovarian Cancer Test http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-vermillion-ovarian-cancer-test-03-2010.htm http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-vermillion-ovarian-cancer-test-03-2010.htm#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:45:42 +0000 http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-vermillion-ovarian-cancer-test-03-2010.htm New York – Vermillion today said that Medicare will cover its OVA1 test for help in determining the likelihood that an ovarian mass is benign or malignant.

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]]> http://www.medicarenews.net/medicare-to-cover-vermillion-ovarian-cancer-test-03-2010.htm/feed 0