Medicare/Prescription Drugs News

[Woerner]

First Lady and Kerry To Speak To AARP

Nearly 25,000 AARP members will attend a conference in Las Vegas this week, at the same time both presidential candidates will be in town campaigning. John Kerry is scheduled to speak to the senior's group Thursday morning, while Mrs. Bush will speak on behalf of the president.

"No presidential candidate wants to risk being booed off stage by thousands of seniors. This drug benefit is not the victory for seniors the president plugs it to be and the president and his handlers know that to be true,"

"Kerry supports drug imports and negotiation of prescription prices between the government and drug companies."

To read more go to:http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/ne...004/9902275.htm

[Woerner]

Candidates Square Off On Medicare

As we saw in the last two debates, the controversy over Medicare reforms continued last night at the third presidential debate session. Mr. Kerry attacked the program as a cash cow for pharmaceuticals. Mr Bush stands by his plan that provides seniors with prescription meds.

"When I'm president, I'm sending that back to Congress and we're going to get a real prescription drug benefit," Kerry said."


"And so I led, and in 2006 our seniors will get a prescription drug coverage in Medicare."

To read more go to:http://www.jsonline.com/news/nat/oct04/266557.asp

[Woerner]

Medicare A Hot Topic On Campaign Trail

The President and Mr. Kerry are in a dead heat for next months election, and their stances on healthcare could be the deciding factor for many Americans. Both candidates are on the campaign trail touting their plans for Medicare and prescription drugs, and trashing their opponents plan.

"The truth is that after doing nothing to really lower the cost of prescription drugs for you, the president is now telling you that he solved the problem. "

"I believe health decisions ought to be made by doctors and patients, not officials in Washington, D.C"

To read more go to:http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/ne...004/9921098.htm

[Woerner]

AMA Advocates Importation

The American Medical Association is giving its endorsement to a drug importation program that would allow the government to negotiate lower prices for prescription drugs. The Association is calling for legislation that would give HHS the authority to handled importation and price negotiation.

"Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department, had "negotiated favorable rates on prescription drugs on behalf of their beneficiaries, resulting in very substantial cost savings."

"Some doctors worry that rapid growth in Medicare spending on prescription drugs could create new pressure to hold down payments to doctors and other health care providers in the program."

To read more go to:http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs...345/1002/NEWS01

[Woerner]

Seniors Divided On Candidates

This presidential election is more important than ever for seniors who are concerned for the future of their Medicare benefits. Suprisingly, a new poll shows that the typically democratic age group is split down the middle over the candidates.

"Joseph Marbach, chairman of the political science program at Seton Hall University, said senior citizens tend to vote Democrat because they benefit from many programs started by the party, such as Social Security and Medicare."

"Brian Callanan, spokesman for the Republican State Committee, said Bush "modernized Medicare in a way no president ever has. They are seeing the relief they need."

To read more go to:http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index...98868786680.xml

[Woerner]

Medicare + HMO's = Savings

Starting next year, Medicare patients using an HMO will enjoy lower premiums and extra benefits. However, experts warn that these prices may not last, even though HMO benefits are stabilizing now.

``So it's pretty clear that nobody is counting on these enriched overpayments to continue much past next year,'' he said. ``

"The expanded coverage will come with a cheaper price tag. Next year's plan will cost either $55 per month or nothing per month; coverage now costs enrollees at least $39 for the cheapest plan."

To read more go to:http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/9965160.htm?1c

[Woerner]

Canadians Worry Over RXs

American seniors are happily purchasing their prescriptions from Canadian pharmacies at discount prices, but some Canadians worry they're supply of drugs may be dwindling. Supplies have also been slashed by pharmaceuticals to keep Canadian pharmacies from selling the drugs to Americans at a cheaper price.

"I don't want to see our health system decimated by forcing Canadians to compete with American for our drug supply,"

"Canadian fears of drug shortages may be overblown, but if the United States does not begin to negotiate prices, expect more conflict over the increasing popular cross-border drug trade."

To read more go to:http://www.bangornews.com/editorial...e.cfm?ID=439420

[Woerner]

Seniors Can Find Discounts In U.S.

Many seniors think they can only find cheaper prescription drugs and services north or south of U.S. borders. But, new websites and handbooks geared for older Americans provide all the information they need to get those same prices right here at home.

"The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, D.C., has just published a 48-page booklet, "Free and Low Cost Prescription Drugs Seventh Edition."

"The senior-focused web site offers free access to regularly updated international price lists for the 120 most popular brand-name prescription drugs, as well as more than 1,300 generic medicines."

To read more go to:http://www2.townonline.com/marlboro...rticleid=108192

[Poster]

Those are the only two options that will ensure the future and success of Medicare benefits in the U.S. Neither Presidential candidate is willing to take those steps, so their proposed plans for the future of government sponsored healthcare are doomed from the onset.

"But neither has called for increasing taxes to help fund the drug program nor for cutting program benefits - two politically unpopular choices that experts say are essential to avoid saddling future generations with a financial crisis."

"But in the long run, Joyce said, both concepts have many disadvantages."

To read more go to:http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/10008378.htm

[Woerner]

Medicare No Help For President

Medicare is now the number two election issue this year right behind the war in Iraq. While Republicans hoped the new reforms would assure votes in their favor for its sweeping change, it has instead turned out to be a very negative factor for many voters who don't understand the complexity of the program.


"It provides grist for misinformation and exploitation," he said.


"The Democrats are very upset because the Republican Congress under a Republican president did something they couldn't do," Simmons said."

To read more go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS...re.politics.ap/

[Woerner]

Hispanics Hit Hard By Increase

Over 2.2 million hispanic seniors rely on Medicare and Social Security benefits to survive. With the recent increase in premiums, experts say many Latino seniors will face higher poverty rates.

"Without Social Security, the poverty rate for
Latino seniors would increase from 16 percent to 55 percent."

"It would ensure that Hispanic American seniors could use their Social Security COLAs as intended -- to pay for annual increases in food, housing and energy costs."

To read more go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/s...02290047&EDATE=

[Woerner]

Do HSA's Encourage Excess ?

As part of last year's Medicare reforms, HSA's became a great way for families to get tax relief on their hign deductable healthcare savings accounts. But, some experts say this may cause patients to opt for treatment that they normally would not seek due to high costs.

"Rather than causing patients to be more judicious with their medical spending, they could facilitate the growing crisis of medical debt."

"When younger and healthier Americans leave their traditional insurance plan to opt for an HSA-eligible plan, the group they leave behind is necessarily older and sicker, making insurance more expensive for those who remain in the traditional plan."

To read more go to:http://gadflyer.com/articles/?ArticleID=242

[Woerner]

Healthcare Tops Senior's Interest

A recent poll found that 93% of the respondents felt that next weeks election is the most important of their time due to changes in Medicare benefits. More than half of those also said healthcare would decide their vote.

"It is obvious that seniors are
extremely concerned about the possible loss of healthcare benefits."

"99% of retirees polled identified themselves as registered voters and 100% indicated that they intend to vote in the November 2, 2004 Presidential Election."

To read more go to:http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/s...02284798&EDATE=

[Woerner]

Preventative Maintenance

Beginning next year, seniors will be eligible for one paid wellness examination courtesy of Medicare. The theory is that is if a life threatening disease can be detected early on it will save the government on expensive surgeries and lengthy hospital stays.

"But a little preventive maintenance - screening tests, immunizations and a review of individual risk factors - can let you fix problems early or even stop them before they start."


"Don't expect to get tested for every possible problem at a preventive exam, though, unless you're willing to pay for it."

To read more go to:http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/10069381.htm

[Woerner]

More Cuts For Hospitals ?

Hospitals are preparing for the worst, fearing that once Congressional lawmakers return after the election more cuts in funding will be on the table. Administrators worry that cuts are unavoidable due to the high cost of the new prescription drug legislation.

"Hospitals could not withstand another round of cuts similar to what happened in 1997 with the (Balanced Budget Act)," said Tiffany Himmelreich, an Ohio Hospital Association spokeswoman."

"Some people out there believe we might see legislation like (the Balanced Budget Act)," Gardner said. "Anything is possible. They will have to sharpen their pencils, but I hope they don't take a scalpel to it."

To read more go to:http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6379401/

[Woerner]

TRICARE

TRICARE is a DOD sponsored healthcare plan for active duty and retired military personnel. Now, thanks to recent Medicare reforms, those beneficiaries will also be eligible for Medicare B.

"A letter of explanation should have been received in September explaining that TRICARE beneficiaries have been automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B, effective September 2004."

"It also explains that the Part B premium amount will be deducted from the beneficiary's Social Security check each month."

To read more go to:http://www.palmbeachpost.com/pb_gar...ocsec_1103.html

[Woerner]

Pharmaceuticals On Election Results

Pharmaceutical stocks jumped yesterday once President Bush accepted his re-election. However, analysts predict the trend won't last as growing political pressure to negotiate lower prices continues to mount.

"The Generic Pharmaceutical Association, which represents makers of generic drugs, pledged to work with the Bush administration to cut the cost of prescription drugs."

"Thus, though Republicans may not favor price controls, "they are sensitive to the cost of pharmaceuticals."

To read more go to:http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/10094913.htm?1c

[Woerner]

New Coverage For Cancer Treatment

Medicare recipients will now have greater treatment benefits due to the enactment of prescription drug legislation. Prior to the new laws, only chemotherapy and injectable meds were covered by Medicare. Now patients will be able to get oral doses of the same medications on Medicare's tab.

"Since April of 2004, $200 million was available so that some Medicare cancer patients would have transitional coverage for these drugs, until the bill goes into full effect in 2006."

"The new legislation started the process of providing access to a full range of the latest cancer-related prescription drugs at manageable costs to enhance the quality and standard of treatment for cancer."

To read more go to: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=6085

[Woerner]

Bush Stands By Reforms

President Bush reaffirmed his commitment to last years Medicare Reform Act that brought sweeping changes to government sponsored healthcare at a news conference last week. Insurers are also quite pleased about the President's re-election which will bring in substantial profits to private insurers.

"A managed-care organization can receive an average $10,000 per customer per year for each Medicare enrollee they sign on, and marginal profit of about $300 to $400 per member per year."

"A Kerry administration would have put the Medicare drug benefit under the microscope and would have pushed for importation of prescription drugs as a way to expose global price differentials.''

To read more go to:
http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/...4/1002/Business

[Woerner]

Analysts Say Bush Plan Could Work

At a recent press conference analysts projected that the President's market theory apporach to driving down healthcare costs might result in success. Shifting more responsability onto consumers is designed to lower costs and make healthcare more widely available.

"Consumer-driven healthcare could transform the structure of the health insurance industry by shifting health insurance from employers to individuals."

"Consumers who pay more out-of-pocket or out of savings accounts will result in hospitals and physicians complying with
increased requests for more information on quality and price."

To read more go to:http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041109/nytu052_1.html

[Woerner]

No Scooters For Houston

Due to denied and long overdue payments from CMS, the Houston distributor for the Scooter Store has been forced to close shop and transfer business to another location. This will leave hundreds of immobile beneficiaries without power wheelchairs.

"At the urging of the power mobility industry, and following media reports of rampant fraud, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in September of last year initiated Operation Wheeler Dealer."

"But as of November 1, CMS had reimbursed The SCOOTER Store for only eight claims for Houston area residents since announcement of Operation Wheeler Dealer."

To read more go to:http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041110/daw014_1.html

[Woerner]

HMOs Deal With Rising Drug Prices

As prescription prices continue to rise without any sign of price capping from the government, Pittsburg HMOs will be forced to raise premiums or cut benefits. Drug costs are one of the highest facets of healthcare for insurance providers.

"UPMC also plans to charge "co-insurance" equal to half the price of members' brand name drugs, as opposed to a maximum co-pay of $40 that had been in effect for 2004 for its Life Classic Plus plan."

"The increases come as health-care analysts continue citing prescription drug costs as one of the fastest rising components of overall health insurance costs, which have been rising at double digit rates for several years."

To read more go to:http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04316/409982.stm

[Woerner]

Alternatives to Importation

Economists say there are several ways to decrease prescription drug prices instead of resorting to importation from Canada. Two theories include altering the way the U.S. pays for innovation, and making changes to our patent laws.

"One alternative is to have the government pay directly for research, which some economists say could maintain innovation while reducing drug prices."

"small adjustments in the patent system would be a more appropriate way to address" the investment in "me too" drugs."

To read more go to:http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/...NYT01/411140382

[Woerner]

Small Business Push HSAs

Growing insurance costs have forced many small business to cut insurance benefits and encourage employees to invest in health savings accounts. The Medicare Reform Act made HSAs a much more attractive option than in years past.

"Other benefits to an HSA include tax-free contribution and annual rollovers, meaning the money doesn't have to be spent if it isn't needed."

"I pay the premium, and she can contribute to the savings account so whatever she doesn't use is hers."

To read more go to:
http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/.../411160330/1040

[Woerner]

Medicare B Premium Hike

Seniors are unhappy about the recent announcement that Medicare premiums will increase by $11.60 a month starting next year. But another announcement that hasn't seen much attention is the increase in Medicare B's deductible.

"Medicare Part B deductible going up to $110 next year."

"Beginning in 2006, the deductible will be indexed to the increase in the average cost of Part B services."

To read more go to:http://www.palmbeachpost.com/royalp...ocsec_1117.html

[Woerner]

PCMA Against Pharmaceuticals

PCMA is initiating a new program to educate lawmakers about the practices pharmaceuticals use to keep drug prices higher than necessary. PCMA hopes the initiative will push legislators to demand lower priced drugs for Medicare recipients.

"This agenda would gut the competitive marketplace the drug makers claim to want and would lead to more expensive drugs for seniors."

"Medicare should make the drug manufacturers compete with one another to provide discounts on their drugs, which could produce lower Medicare premiums and co-pays,"

To read more go to:http://www.seniorjournal.com/NEWS/M...7AdCampaign.htm

[Woerner]

Seniors Urged To Sign Up For Drug Program

Seniors have just a few short weeks left to decide which Medicare prescription drug plan they will use in 2005. They will be locked into whichever program they choose until 2006 when a completly different system will be implemented.

"Unless these people sign up by Jan. 1, 2006, they will lose their drug benefits and could stop taking their prescriptions, she says."

"While that crucial 2006 deadline looms, the CMS is still trying to get the word out about the temporary discount drug cards."

To read more go to:http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1117/p11s01-ussc.html

[Woerner]

N.C. Drug Programs

One county in the state of North Carolina is going the extra mile when it comes to taking care of its seniors. Several assistance programs are available for Medicare recipients who cannot afford care or prescriptions even with the new prescription benefits.

"Medicare recipients who are at income levels up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for assistance with their prescription drug needs through the Community Free Clinic."

"One of the most challenging aspects of ensuring that everyone in our community can achieve optimum health is getting needed prescription drugs."

To read more go to:http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observ...10236885.htm?1c

[Woerner]

Gap in Benefits

Research from a new study finds that prescription drug benfit coverage will vary widely between low income and middle income seniors on Medicare. Poor seniors will see relief but middle income benficiaries will pay more for prescriptions.

"the new program is a terrific opportunity for lower-income seniors, and it will be helpful to millions of others, but not every single person."

"6.9 million people - will reach the gap in coverage, the "doughnut hole,"

To read more go to:http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/23/p...23medicare.html

[Woerner]

Pharmacists and Importation

According to a recent survey, pharmacists want to be more involved in the importation process. They want to ensure that the imports will be safe for their customers.

"By having the U.S. pharmacy import the drug, the pharmacist may be able to identify potential counterfeits before the products reach the patient," Nau said."

"Because pharmacists are key stakeholders in this debate, our study can inform policy makers about some of the implications of prescription drug reimportation."

To read more go to:http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/508499/

[Woerner]

Illinois Plan Not So Popular

Two months after the start of Governor Blagojevich's state prescription drug importation program began, the number of residents who signed up for the benefits is painfully low. Analysts sight caution and lack of information for the low enrollment numbers.

"Fewer than 1,100 people - out of an estimated 5 million uninsured residents in the participating states of Illinois, Wisconsin and Missouri - have completed enrollment forms."

"I also think they're waiting to see how the Medicare part D (prescription drug coverage) pans out in 2006."

To read more go to:http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/41269.asp

[Woerner]

Vermont Sues Over Importation

The state of Vermont is suing the federal government for the right to import prescription drugs. Representatives from the state hope the lawsuit will force the FDA to enact guidelines for importation from other countries with lower priced drugs.

"the governor believes the FDA's position is arbitrary and unreasonable."

"The federal defendants cannot approve, or promulgate regulations that would permit the importation of prescription drugs from Canada by individual consumers."

To read more go to: http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs...338/1002/NEWS01

[Woerner]

States Lead the Way for Imports

The State Pharmaceutical Cost Management Council in West Virginia will allow all state agencies and private sector groups to buy drugs at reduced prices. Still other states are fighting for imported drugs from Canada and countries where prices are cheaper than in the U.S.

"first state to attempt to bargain for the same drug prices granted some federal government agencies."

"controlling health care costs is becoming a top priority in state governments."

To read more go to:http://www.stateline.org/stateline/...28&columns=true

[Woerner]

Doctors Debate Formularies

There is growing dissent among doctors over government formularies that will take effect in 2006, with the implementation of the new prescription drug benefit. Some doctors say the formularies will exclude certain drugs that their patients need, while others counter that widening the scope of covered meds will drive up prescription costs.

"Such an approach would give drug plans the upper hand and could be harmful to seniors who can't pay more for excluded drugs."

"But the agency's proposed rule repeatedly mentions tiered cost sharing."

To read more go to:http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/20...06/gvsa1206.htm

[Woerner]

Prescription Benefit for Nursing Homes

A substancial number of elderly American weren't counted for when legislators acted to approve the new Medicare prescription drug plan last year. Experts say that benefits for patients in nursing homes are confusing and need to be modified before major problems result.

"nursing home directors said they had no idea how these patients would obtain their medicines under the new program, which begins in January 2006."

"Bush administration officials said they were seeking ways to meet the special needs of nursing home residents and recognized the value of long-term care pharmacies."

To read more go to:http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/05/health/05nursing.html

[Woerner]

Thompson's Medicare Worries

Outgoing Secretary of HHS, Tommy Thompson, outlined his thoughts and concerns on the new Medicare reforms last week. He called the new plan one of his best accomplishments, but also cited worries about the effect and costs of the new prescription drug benefit.

"I would have liked to negotiate," or bargain with pharmaceutical companies over the price of prescription drugs."

"But it will only be a success if it delivers a reasonable benefit without impoverishing the elderly or taking excessive funds from the government."

To read more go to:http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ed...edicare_caveat/

[Woerner]

FDA Cracks Down On Re-importation

The FDA has filed civil charges against a company called Canada Care, a subsidiary of Rx Depot, which was repeatedly warned not to re-import prescription drugs from Canada into the U.S. FDA agents found what they describe as unsafe practices during an undercover investigation of the pharmacies.

"including the sale of anti-convulsant drugs APO-Gabapentin and Novo-Gabapentin, which have not been approved by the FDA."

"the secretary of the Dept. of Health and Human Services to issue waivers for individuals that allow the reimportation of certain drugs, provided safety standards are met."

To read more go to: http://www.businessinsurance.com/cg....pl?newsId=4758

[Woerner]

Medicare Helpline Gets Bad Marks

The GAO released its report on the effectiveness of the Medicare help hotline Wednesday, and the scores were barely a pass. Many researchers posing as seniors were given false, inaccurate, or incomplete information on their prescription drug benefits. The report does little to bolster the confidence of seniors who are already confused by their new coverage.

“Calls were disconnected, transferred to offices that were not open or routed to wrong numbers.”

“Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, pointed out in a response to the report that the audit took place during a period of adjustment.”

To read more go to: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1204/120904dk1.htm

[Poster]

President Bush announced that EPA head Michael Leavitt will now lead Health and Human Services as Secretary, suceeding Tommy Thompson. Leavitt said his focus will beon implementing the new drug benefit program and reducing the cost of health care.

"McClellan is overseeing the new Medicare prescription drug law, which takes full effect in 2006, and Bush was said to have been reluctant to take McClellan from his post during this critical period."

"I feel a real sense of understandable regret" about leaving the EPA, he said."

To read more go to:http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2004/12/13/ap/headlines/d86urpa00.txt

[Poster]

The GAO has released its report on the future of Medicare's cancer drug reimbursements, and according to officials, oncologists will not have to refer their patients to hospitals for treatment. Oncologists disagree with the findings, claiming that they cannot support their practices on the current formulary.

"significant boosts in reimbursement for dispensing chemotherapy will result in doctors receiving total administration payments that are 130% higher than they were in 2003."

"ASCO estimates that the average 2005 drug reimbursement rate will be closer to 4% above costs."

To read more go to: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/12/20/gvsa1220.htm

[Poster]

Estimates show that so far only 1.6 million seniors have signed up for their prescription drug discount cards. Confusion over the cards is the likely cause, but when they stand to lose $1,200 in drug credits, seniors would be well advised to take advantage.

"Regardless of whether the card reduces the prices of their drugs, it will come with the $600 credit and can be used at local pharmacies."

"Not only will a second $600 credit be added Jan. 1, but many manufacturers offer their drugs to low-income consumers for just a small co-pay once the credits are exhausted."

To read more go to:http://www.sptimes.com/2004/12/15/Tampabay/Tidy_drug_credit_flie.shtml

[Poster]

Eight percent of employers may be forced to cease prescription drug benefits for retirees as a result of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Retiree premiums for employers are on the rise and many smaller corporations simply cannot afford to provide costly prescriptions for ailing seniors.

"This is the third year of double-digit cost increases in the three years of the survey for total employer and retiree health-care costs."

"Dropping the drug benefit is one way companies can reduce costs, and more appear to be considering that option for 2006 when the new Medicare drug benefit comes online."

To read more go to:http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/business/10418576.htm

[Poster]

Analysts point to the growing deficit when asked about the future of government healthcare in the U.S. Experts project many more obstacles ahead if spending in other areas is not curtailed to meet the costs of Medicare and the prescription drug benefit.

"almost all of the solutions to pressing problems cost huge amounts of money."

"Among the factors contributing to the change were federal tax cuts, the economic "downturn," and increased spending on defense."

To read more go to:http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/short/39/24/

[Poster]

Auditors from the Bush Administration say states are improperly shifting Medicaid costs onto the federal government. One of the biggest problems is that states are paying inflated prices for medications that could be obtained cheaper.

"Federal investigators said Medicaid wasted hundreds of millions of dollars a year by overpaying for prescription drugs."

"Medicaid spending soared to $34 billion in 2003, from $13.6 billion in 1998."

To read more go to: http://www.wilmingtonstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041220/ZNYT02/412200356/1010/STATE

[Poster]

Several bipartisan senators are threatening to withold their confirmation of Mike Leavitt for Sec. of HHS, until the issue of importation is dealt with in Congress. But even if Leavitt agrees to importation during his confirmation hearings, lawmakers will be keeping a close watch to make certain he follows through.

"Leavitt has never taken a public position on reimportation."

"Any senator can "hold" a nomination by exercising his or her parliamentary privilege to prevent the nomination from coming to the floor for a vote."

To read more go to:http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2492464

[Poster]

The Bush administration reaffirmed it's oppositon to drug importation again yesterday when it released a report that cites the high costs of ensuring the safety of the imports. The panel sent a letter to the president advising him to veto any importation legislation that doesn't fully take on its safety concerns.

"It is ironic that two weeks after the HHS announcement that millions of flu vaccine doses will be imported from Germany, HHS is releasing a report creating major roadblocks to drug importation,"

"recommend a veto of any bill that "significantly discourages (drug company) innovation or stifles competition."

To read more go to: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/10470189.htm?1c

[Poster]

We've reported for months on doctor's plans to cut cancer treatments based on the low Medicare reimbursements for chemo drugs. Now, patients are reporting they're being forced to pay for the medications out of pocket, although ASCO says it is unaware of any such arrangements.

"The government's Medicare insurance program reimburses only for drugs administered in the doctor's office if they are purchased by a physician."

''Changes in drug reimbursement might lead some physicians to believe that Medicare reimbursement is not adequate to cover all of their acquisition costs," the report said."

To read more go to:http://www.boston.com/business/glob...igger_an_alert/

[Poster]

The Bush Administration continues to condemn drug imports as part of the recent Medicare overhaul, yet it sees no problem with American consumers traveling to other countries for cheaper meds. As far as importation to cut Medicare costs, the administration asserts that the implementation of such a program would be more costsly than the projected savings.

"Additional safety protections would need to be added that would increase the costs of the program in an additive way as more safety measures are put in place,"

"uninsured people who buy chronic use patented name-brand drugs on a regular basis may enjoy meaningful savings."

To read more go to:http://www.legalnewswatch.com/news_503.html

[Poster]

The last day for seniors to apply for their $1,200 Medicare drug credit is two days away, and despite a massive ad campaign, millions of seniors are going to miss out. Not everyone is eligible for the credits, but it is worth the time to check out Medicare's website or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out.

"PATIENTS ON A RETIREMENT HEALTH PLAN...THOSE ON A FEDERAL RETIREE PLAN...AND VETERANS ON THE TRI-CARE PLAN WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE."

"THE INTERIM ASSISTANCE IS ONLY GOOD FOR 2004 AND 2005. WHATEVER ISN'T USED IN 2004 WILL ROLL OVER TO NEXT YEAR."

To read more go to: http://www.kfyrtv.com/showNews.asp?whatStory=3408

[Poster]

Effective in 2005, Medicare recipients who have smoking related health problems will be eligible for free counseling sessions to help them quit. In 2006, the anti-smoking coverage will expand to cover drugs designed to help smokers kick the habit.

"heart problems, lung problems, and many other often-fatal diseases that smoking can cause,"

"The new benefit could save Medicare $75 million over the next decade."

To read more go to:http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...king_counseling

[Poster]

United States Pharmacopeia, a panel that is working closely with the Bush administration, has released its list of 146 prescription drugs that should be covered under Medicare’s new drug benefit. Drug companies, along with the public, are in a constant battle against insurers who want to keep drugs off the list to prevent costs from soaring. There have been mixed results from this version of the list, but overall it seems to favor the insurers.

“The executive vice president of the panel, Dr. Roger L. Williams, said its guidelines were ‘the only classification system specifically developed’ to ensure that beneficiaries had access to all the drugs they needed.”

“Karen M. Ignagni, president of America's Health Insurance Plans, a trade association, said, ‘This is a good step, a model that our plans will look at.’ But, Ms. Ignagni added, "it's too early to say how many plans’ would closely follow the guidelines.”

For more information see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/politics/04drug.html

[Poster]

Medicare beneficiaries are now eligible for additional benefits for preventative care, such as cardiovascular screening and tests to check for diabetes. The new provision, which took effect January 1st, is designed to move Medicare’s focus from treatment to prevention, which could save lives and reduce costs. The American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and the American Diabetes Association all back the new provisions.

“‘Treating disease is one thing, but preventing it is even better,’ Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said at a press conference yesterday.”

"We spend too much on curative care and not enough on preventative care, and we're changing."

For more information see: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/207349_medicare11.html

[Poster]

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended to Congress that Medicare payments promised to hospitals be cut, along with a freeze in payments to nursing homes and home care agencies. The panel also recommended a 2.7% increase in Medicare payments to doctors, a number less than doctors expected costs, but still greater than under current law.


“Carmela S. Coyle, senior vice president of the American Hospital Association, said: ‘We are very disappointed. The commission's own data show that the financial condition of hospitals is worsening and that hospitals lose money treating Medicare patients.’"

“Hospitals that have high costs and high rates of increase in costs may not meet the Congressional standard of efficient providers,’ Mr. Hackbarth said.”

For more information see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/politics/18medicare.html

[Poster]

The Congressional Budget Office has issued a warning on Medicare and Medicaid, stating that the programs pose a larger long-term problem for the federal budget than Social Security. The major cause of the imposing threat is the rising costs attributed to the Medicare prescription drug bill passed last year.

“Social Security costs will rise by about 4.4 percent annually until 2015, shortly after the first baby boomers become eligible for retirement — but Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the increase will be dwarfed by the growth in government medical coverage.”

"CBO's report reflects the challenges that we know lie ahead," said Sen. Judd Gregg, New Hampshire Republican and chairman of the budget committee. "The deficit is too high, and too much of our spending is on automatic pilot. We must get serious about putting our financial house in order, beginning with short-term deficit reduction and then long-term control of entitlement spending."

For more information see: http://washingtontimes.com/national/20050126-121259-8287r.htm

[Poster]

Bush officials have announced that erectile treatment medications like ****** and Levitra will be covered by Medicare when they are medically needed. Challenges are expected from Congress to prohibit Medicare from paying for such drugs. However, under law the Bush administration claims it has no authority to exclude the drugs since they meet all the criteria.

We are promoting abstinence for young people with raging hormones, and yet we are going to ask them to pay taxes for sex-enhancing drugs for seniors? In good conscience, I cannot support that. We have only a finite amount of money. When Medicare covers ****** pills, you are, in effect, taking money away from someone else's life-saving drugs."

“…under the law, Medicare officials cannot approve a prescription drug plan that is likely to discourage enrollment by any particular group of beneficiaries. Thus, it appears, a drug plan could not refuse to cover products like ******, Levitra and Cialis, because that would discriminate against men with erectile dysfunction.”

For more information see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/national/02******.html

[Poster]

The new White House has announced the new estimated cost of the Medicare drug benefit at $720 billion over the next ten years. Congress assumed that the cost was around $400 billion when it passed the legislation in late 2003, and the new amount is likely to raise questions. Bush officials say the two calculations are not comparable as they describe different years.

"Since it was sold as a $400 billion program, that's what we should keep it at," said the new chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Judd Gregg.

Representative Rahm Emanuel said: "The new cost estimate destroys the credibility of the Bush administration. Officials were so far off in estimating the cost of the Medicare law. Why should we believe what they say about the financial problems of Social Security?"

For more information see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/09/national/09medicare.html

[Poster]

After higher cost estimates have pushed the Medicare program to over $724 billion, Democrats are calling for a way to give seniors more access to affordable prescriptions by allowing drug importation from Canada, and government control of negotiating prices. President Bush has announced that any attempt to change the Medicare law would be vetoed.

"I signed Medicare reform proudly," Bush said. "And any attempt to limit the choices of our seniors and to take away their prescription drug coverage under Medicare will meet my veto."

“‘By refusing any improvements, the White House is writing a prescription for a program that cannot survive,’ said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. ‘I hope the president will reconsider his position.’"

For more information see: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050211-1625-bush.html

[Poster]

Medicare chief Mark McClellan has announced that the elderly could save more money by letting the private sector set drug prices. Under current Medicare law, the government is banned from directly negotiating prices. According to McClellan, prices could be reduced by 15% at first, and by 25% over five years.

"Pharmacy benefit managers have had substantial experience with such efforts and have demonstrated their effectiveness for many years."

"The past experience of Congress and the Medicare program in regulating drug prices has not been reassuring."

For more information see: http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArt...storyID=7653503

[Poster]

The Congressional Budget Office has released a new cost estimate of $849 billion over the next ten years for the Medicare prescription drug benefit. This estimate is up $53 billion from January’s estimate, and is a result from a higher estimated cost of basic benefits and a change in the cost of low-income subsidies under the original bill.

"The price tag for the Republican Medicare prescription drug bill just gets higher and higher. The underlying benefits for seniors never improve."

“CMS Administrator Mark McClellan said that the administration is ‘doing everything we can to keep costs down.’ He added, ‘We have all the legislative authority we need to do that.’”

For more information see: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=20867#

[Poster]

Up to 145 clinical pharmacists at the CMS will begin a month longer review of formularies for private plans offering coverage under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. USP specified that the private drug plans should offer at least two drugs in each category under Medicare. Also Medicare officials should require insurers to justify any exclusion of subclasses by providing substantial clinical, scientific or other rationale.

“Babette Edgar, head of the CMS Medicare Drug Benefit Group's operations division, on Monday at a forum on formularies sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation said that formulary reviewers next month plan to ensure prescription drug plans cover "substantially all, if not all," drugs in certain categories, including HIV/AIDS drugs, according to CQ HealthBeat.”

“However, an unnamed HIV advocate at the forum told Edgar that an HIV/AIDS-related drug could be covered by the plan and not be "accessible" if the plan's cost-sharing tiers required a high copayment for the drug, CQ HealthBeat reports.”

For more information see: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=21292

[Poster]

Counseling to help quit smoking will be covered under Medicare to seniors who suffer from heart or lung disease, weak bones, cataracts, or other disease cause or worsened by tobacco use. Medicare officials say that the elderly can still improve their health at the ages of 65 or older even if they have smoked for years by quitting smoking.

John Clymer, president of the coalition, said talking with patients can provide an inexpensive way to curb the habit and eventually save on other costs. "We also expect that, over 10 years, this is going to ... prevent over 30,000 premature deaths, and it's cheap," he said.

"Because there are so many tobacco-related illnesses and adverse health effects from tobacco use, the AMA believes the majority of seniors who smoke will be covered under the new Medicare policy," said AMA trustee Ronald Davis.

For more information see: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=605160

[Poster]

The Bush administration has started to send out the first of 20 million applications for low-income individuals who might qualify for assistance under the new prescription drug benefit. Critics say that the form is too complex, and they expect a return rate of less than 5 percent.

"Dr. Mark B. McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the forms would be widely disseminated, 'to reach everyone who may be eligible.'"

“‘Historically,’ Mr. Firman said, ‘the response rate to mailings like this among low-income people has been 1 percent or 2 percent.’"

For more information see: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/29/politics/29medicare.html

[Poster]

According to a new survey released by the American Medical Association (AMA) doctors may stop spending as much time with patients on Medicare due to proposed cuts in their payments. A formula currently determines how much doctors can receive for Medicare services. Estimates range that there could be a 5% cut starting in 2006, and up to 31% by 2013.

"'Physicians want to serve America's seniors, but they simply cannot afford to accept an unlimited number of new Medicare patients into their practices if Medicare payments do not keep up with the cost of providing care,' said AMA's president-elect, Dr. Edward Hill."


“Some members of Congress have called for scrapping the current formula entirely and coming up with a new one, but no changes have been set yet.”

For more information see: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=643829

[Poster]

The CMS has distributed $31.7 million to State Health Insurance Counseling Programs (SHIPs) to help educate Medicare beneficiaries on the new prescription drug benefit. The amount is 50% larger than the award given the previous year.

"The SHIPs are the key foot soldiers in providing one-on-one assistance for Medicare beneficiaries to help them get the best health care."

“He added that SHIPs could counsel an estimated five million Medicare beneficiaries about the drug benefit, with the largest effort aimed at low-income beneficiaries.”

For more information see: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=22753#

[Poster]

A new poll sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation has been released showing that seniors are not embracing the new prescription drug benefit in large numbers. Only 9% of those polled said they plan to sign up for the optional drug coverage and 37% said they would not. Many seniors also claim not have enough information at hand to make a decision.

“Just under a majority, 47 percent, of those polled say they haven't heard enough about the coming program to decide if they will participate and 7 percent said they don't know.”

“…only 37 percent said they expect it to benefit them directly and 44 percent said the program will not help them at all.”

For more information see: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050418-052424-7812r.htm

[Poster]

A recent study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation has found that only 21 percent of US senior citizens go online to research to health information. Many senior citizens are therefore missing out on numerous health resources online, such as streamlined Medicare enrollment, billing and provider information. However, new technology is being developed making the internet less intimidating for seniors.

"A growing number of devices are being marketed that make it easier and more affordable for seniors and other Internet newcomers to go online."

"The Internet is moving from being a luxury to a necessity."

For more information see: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/internet/42594.html

[Poster]

According to some Medicare observers the new budget cuts could prevent some doctors from investing in new medical information technology. The Bush administration has called for the implementation of an electronic medical record system, but with the new budget cuts doctors might be wary to spend the money. However, most doctors realize that the system is inevitable and will be instituted soon.


"With primary care doctors already living with an 18% decline in [Medicare] reimbursements since 1995 -- taking into account inflation -- any further cuts will likely make it impossible for them to afford excellent EHRs."


"It's pretty clear that physicians embrace any technology that will help improve the way that they can provide care to patients as well as help them become more efficient."

For more information see: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/05/09/bil20509.htm

[Poster]

Amidst concerns of inappropriate competition, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have stated that private ‘specialty hospitals’ will have payments cut, depending on an evaluation to determine whether they meet the fiscal definition of a ‘hospital’ as opposed to an ambulatory care center. These hospitals receive large reimbursements from Medicare, which may be excessive relative to their services. A moratorium on new specialty hospitals was put in effect for fear that they were taking enough business from standard hospitals to strangle them financially.

“Our current payment system may not provide appropriate incentives for maximizing quality and costs for our overall beneficiary population," said CMS Administrator Mark McClellan.

Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) said, "The rise of specialty hospitals will press traditional community hospitals to become leaner, faster and better."

For more info see:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,156389,00.html

[admin]

"Medicare is going through one of the biggest changes in its 40-year history, and on Thursday its top administrator came to Charleston to reassure seniors that it’s a change for the better.

'There’ll be no more just paying bills when people get sick,' said Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, who spoke at AARP’s Consumer University seminar at the Charleston Town Center Marriott.

Now Medicare is focused on preventive health care as well, and that means 'it’s also paying [for beneficiaries] to stay well,' McClellan said."


Click Here to Read More:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=medicare

[admin]

"Senate Republicans voted Thursday to cut spending on federal entitlement programs for the first time in eight years, but not the way President Bush wanted.

Even in advance of the 52-47 vote, the White House was stirring up veto talk because one of the programs being chopped is dear to President Bush. About 15 percent of the $35 billion in savings over the next five years would come through eliminating $5.4 billion in subsidies to some regional insurance companies that signed onto Bush's Medicare prescription drug program getting under way in January."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/04/congress.budget.ap/index.html

[admin]

"Medicare saved about $9.5 billion this past fiscal year by cutting errors in half, officials said Thursday.

An error occurs when Medicare pays for a medically unnecessary service, a provider submits incorrect billings, or there is insufficient documentation to prove the service was necessary.

Mark McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, credited computer data bases and the hiring of independent contractors to review claims. When the agency first began calculating error rates, it routinely reviewed about 6,000 claims for accuracy. That has risen to 160,000 claims."


Click Here to Read More:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/fina...me_down&chan=db

[admin]

"Tom Downey and Sidney Shaw are examples of one challenge facing the new Medicare drug program: Neither man spends much on prescription drugs and they aren't sure the program will benefit them.

Yet, if few Medicare beneficiaries like Shaw and Downey — relatively healthy seniors with low drug costs — sign up, premiums in future years could rise, possibly affecting the success of the program.

But that group of seniors may be difficult to tap because some may pay more for the benefit than they currently spend on drugs."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health...care-usat_x.htm

[admin]

"Two weeks after being sued, the government said Thursday it put in place more safeguards to ensure that poor older people can fill their drug prescriptions on Jan. 1.

In recent weeks, the government automatically has enrolled about 6 million people in private plans that will offer a new drug benefit under Medicare. The people in this category are called dual eligibles because they qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

To address that, federal officials said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has contracted with two companies. When a customer enters a store, pharmacists will check with one contractor - Z-Tech Corp. of Rockville, Md. - to determine the customer's eligibility for drug coverage.

The pharmacists can bill a second contractor, Wellpoint Inc. of Indianapolis, which will enlist the customer in one of its drug plans.

"They'll be able to leave the pharmacy with their prescription in hand, even if there is not immediate evidence of what plan they're in," said the agency's administrator, Mark McClellan."

Click Here to Read More:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/1500AP_Prescription_Drugs.html

[admin]

"The launch next year of Medicare's new prescription drug
program is not prompting companies that offer retiree drug benefits to drop those benefits -- at least in the short run. But many employers are unsure what they will do a few years from now when it comes to prescription drug benefits, according to a new study of the programs and plans of large U.S. corporations.

In the meantime, a steady exodus of employers from retiree health insurance overall continues, the study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and benefits consultants Hewitt Associates said.

Under the new Medicare law, employers that offer benefits as good as or better than the government's can obtain a subsidy if they continue their own programs. That's what about four in five big employers say they will do next year."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/07/AR2005120700932.html

[admin]

"With the much-anticipated Medicare prescription-drug program set to go into effect Jan. 1, more doctors are slowly beginning to use E-prescriptions applications. This sets the stage for more innovative uses of drug data, such as patient medication compliance and chronic disease management programs.

In the two years leading up to Medicare Part D—as the new prescription coverage is called—there has been much discussion among officials in government and health-care circles about ways to promote the use of E-prescriptions, which can help eliminate inefficiencies and medical mistakes by replacing paper-based, handwritten drug prescriptions with digitized drug orders and processes.

While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services advocates the use of E-prescriptions for Medicare as well as non-Medicare patients, so far the federal government hasn't yet launched formal financial incentive programs that reward doctors who use E-prescription applications for Medicare patients."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.informationweek.com/software/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=175002710

[gdpawel]

The new Medicare drug benefit plan is also part of a much broader message. With oncology drugs accounting for about 69% of total Part B spending on prescription drugs and related services, the new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Part D will even be more important for Senior cancer patients.

Beginning January 1, 2006, senior Americans with cancer may not even have to go to hospitals, let alone the infamous infusion-rooms of office-based oncology practices. That's because the new Medicare Modernizaton Act (MMA) will offer them benefits they did not have before, such as coverage for oral chemotherapy drugs.

If prescribed an oral-dose chemotherapy drug, you will be given a prescription that you will take to your local pharmacy to have filled, just like you normally do with all the other prescription medications that you may be taking. Because it is a pill, patients can take it at home with only occasional visits to the doctor or clinic.

Oral chemotherapy drugs are treating cancer effectively and enhance the quality of treatment for cancer. Compared to infusional therapy, oral-dose cancer drugs can make treatment more convenient for patients by allowing flexibility, without disrupting work or other activities.

Taking your medication at home allows you the freedom to carry on with your daily life. This results in less time spent in hospitals and private oncology practices because of the absence of intravenous administration and its related side-effects.

These targeted cancer therapies will give doctors a better way to tailor cancer treatments. Treatments may be individualized based on testing the individual properties of each patient's cancer. These new differences in therapy hold the promise of being more selective, harming fewer normal cells, reducing side-effects, and provide a savings in health care costs.

If you have a private health plan which has a good prescription plan, in the vast majority of cases, you will want to continue in your plan. If you want to apply for the new Medicare prescription benefits, you may do that also.

Oral chemotherapy will be handled the same as "infusion" chemotherapy by Medicare, but under plan D instead of plan B. However, if you can and want to utilize a lot of the generic or older drug agents, the cost would be significantly less. Most infusional therapies are typically biotechnology drugs made of complicated proteins that are injected. This makes them several times more expensive than traditional pill-form pharmaceuticals.

Source: http://www.medicare.gov/

[admin]

"Some patients using Medicare's new drug benefit reported difficulties Tuesday [January 3, 2006] in filling prescriptions, though the government and some large pharmacies and nursing homes said the program was off to a good start.

The plan, estimated to cost the government $724 billion over the next 10 years, will subsidize medicine costs for tens of millions of older Americans and the disabled."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...6010301142.html

[admin]

"California, Arkansas and Illinois have joined about half a dozen other states taking emergency measures to help residents struggling to get prescriptions filled under the new Medicare drug program.

Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and North Dakota had already announced plans to help low-income residents get their medicine if pharmacists were having trouble confirming coverage through the new Medicare benefit."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/13/AR2006011300601.html

[admin]

"Shares in companies that operate long-term care hospitals took a dive on Friday, most notably Kindred Healthcare Inc. , whose stock dropped as much as 26 percent after the federal Medicare program proposed freezing payment rates.

Kindred was the leading loser on the New York Stock Exchange at late morning.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid is proposing to hold steady the federal payment rate for long-term care hospitals in 2007, defined as those with an average Medicare patient length of stay of 25 days or more.

The rule, which is not yet final and open for public comment and industry lobbying, also proposes raising the bar for hospitals to get additional reimbursement for very expensive cases and other negative hurdles, according to analysts."

Click Here to Read More:
http://today.reuters.com/business/n...ryID=nN20178041

[admin]

"Three weeks into the new Medicare drug benefit, federal officials are still scrambling to fix problems with its rollout. Things are improving somewhat, say pharmacists and patient advocates. But now some worry that the program's short-term problems could jeopardize the program in the long-term.

Even with improvements, people are still having trouble getting their drugs, says Vicki Gottlich of the Center for Medicare Advocacy, who has spent much of the week counseling the people who counsel Medicare beneficiaries. 'They are still very, very frustrated. In fact somebody on our call yesterday was in tears,' she told a forum sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

That could spell trouble down the line if seniors don't sign up for the new Medicare Part D drug program because they see their friends and neighbors having a hard time. That may be one reason why Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has been touring the country to explain how Medicare is working to address the problems. "The measure of success isn't whether we reached perfection on the first day, it's how we respond to the inevitable, unpredictable problems, and we are," he said in a stop on Capitol Hill to brief members of the Senate Finance Committee. 'The plan is improving every day,' Leavitt insisted."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/...storyId=5174188

[admin]

"The Senate rejected an effort by Democrats yesterday to give older Americans and the disabled more time to enroll in Medicare's prescription drug benefit.

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, offered an amendment to tax legislation that would have given Medicare beneficiaries until Dec. 31 to enroll without penalty. The current deadline is May 15.

The amendment also would have allowed people to switch their prescription drug coverage to another plan if they were unhappy with current coverage.

The amendment received a majority of votes, 52-to-45, but needed 60 to pass under Senate rules for measures concerning budgets and taxes. Nelson said his amendment was a chance for lawmakers to act on complaints they've heard from their constituents since the program began Jan. 1."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/02/03/senate_defeats_bid_to_extend_medicare_drug_plan_de adline/

[admin]

"Part of the Republican Medicare privatization strategy is the revival of managed care plans, known as HM0s. And so far, growth has materialized.

But even heavy government subsidies might not save the new-generation Medicare HMOs, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, from following their predecessors -- called Medicare+Choice -- into eventual collapse, health policy experts say.

This is because the government could start chipping away at the subsidies that attracted companies back to the HMO market and the plans' beneficiaries could again become disillusioned with the plans' traditional restrictions, they predict.

'The expansion of managed care in the last three years since the (Medicare Modernization Act) was passed, plus the concerns of seniors mean enrollment in managed care may increase even faster than predicted,' said Jeanne Lambrew, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington. 'We could see a major shift from traditional Medicare to private plans.'

The 2003 Medicare Modernization Act includes several built-in incentives to bolster the number of Medicare HMOs offered, a sector which has been petering out since the late 1990s. "

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/view.php?StoryID=20060209-061908-6208r

[admin]

"Medicare said yes, but many patients and their doctors ended up saying no. To test whether federal health spending actually helps patients, Medicare has been requiring more and more of the nation's retirees to participate in clinical trials to measure the effectiveness of a growing range of treatments, before agreeing to pay for them. Now, the outcome of the first and most extensive Medicare trial yet indicates that the public, armed with the data developed, may make surprisingly conservative decisions."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/business/03lung.html

[admin]

"Medicare's process for investigating complaints about bad care is 'broken,' leaves patients in the dark, and is of 'no benefit to improving the overall quality' of medical care received by millions of elderly and disabled beneficiaries, Senate investigators have found.

The ongoing probe by the Senate Finance Committee determined that the number of complaints investigated by Medicare appears 'disproportionately low,' Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), the committee chairman, wrote in a five-page letter sent to Medicare officials Friday. Grassley called on federal officials to consider major reforms, including redesigning the program and re-bidding contracts."

Click Here to Read More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/06/AR2006030601386.html

[admin]

"Decreasing reimbursement rates have forced healthcare providers and manufacturers to cut costs and increase the lifetime of oxygen therapy devices. These market changes have slowed demand for several devices, thereby lowering unit shipments for manufacturers. To offset the dull unit sales, some manufacturers are slashing prices up to 50 percent. Manufacturers' profit margins are declining as they struggle to comply with the revised reimbursement payments and proposed oxygen cap on rentals. Reimbursement cuts initially reduced the demand for oxygen devices; however, more efficient systems are revitalizing segments of the U.S. oxygen therapy devices market."

Click Here to Read More:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060328/datu003.html?.v=46

[admin]

"The Supreme Court on Monday let stand a ruling that the government must reconsider Medicare payments to hospitals that serve many poor patients, a ruling which could cost the government nearly $3 billion.

The justices refused to hear a government appeal that argued that Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt was not obliged to reopen the reimbursement determinations and that a federal court could not compel him to do so.

Government lawyers estimated that it could cost as much as $2.8 billion to reopen the payments from 1994 through 1996 under Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and the disabled."

Click Here to Read More:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyid=2006-04-03T153753Z_01_N03333696_RTRUKOC_0_US-COURT-MEDICARE.xml

[admin]

"Makers of expensive heart devices could have the most to lose from proposed changes to the way the U.S. Medicare health insurance agency reimburses hospitals, while rural hospitals stand to gain the most.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a major source of hospital revenue, released draft rules late Wednesday aimed at redistributing profits from highly reimbursed procedures such as some heart surgeries, to conditions seen as underpaid, like treating pneumonia.

The rules are subject to a public comment period and cover in-patient hospital stays in 2007 and 2008."

Click Here to Read More:
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=hotStocksNews&storyID=2006-04-13T155541Z_01_N13222980_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDICARE-RULES.xml

[admin]

"The controversial U.S. Medicare prescription drug program has met the government's goal to provide benefits to more than 30 million elderly or disabled beneficiaries, U.S. health officials said on Thursday.

Health industry analysts and government officials had been predicting that 28 million to 30 million people in the Medicare insurance program would enroll in the supplemental program that allows private companies to offer drug coverage.

'We've surpassed that goal,' Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt told reporters in a conference call.

About 42 million Americans receive Medicare. Under the voluntary drug benefit, they have until May 15 to choose from dozens of plans offered by insurance providers and other companies."

Click Here to Read More:
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=healthNews&storyID=2006-04-20T221406Z_01_N20314212_RTRIDST_0_HEALTH-MEDICARE-DC.XML

[admin]

"A legislative panel has given final approval to the bill making Nevada the ninth state to challenge a federal ban on Canadian drugs.

A year ago this week the AARP held a demonstration on the steps of the legislative building, garnering support for the Canadian pharmacy bill.

Today the last step was reached, as the legislative subcommittee put the final stamp of approval on the new law.

State Senator Randolph Townsend, (R) Washoe County, "I think it's a huge win, but what we've seen in other states in all fairness is the fact that a great deal of people just don't avail themselves to this. So we are asking the pharmacy board to get out with a public information campaign to let everyone know what's available to them. Then they can make their own choices."

The campaign will direct Nevada residents to a state web site, where they will have a choice between four Canadian pharmacies. "

For more information:
http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4863115&nav=8faO

[admin]

"Little research has been done on the effects of combining herbal supplements and prescription drugs. But as more people take supplements for various health conditions, physicians and pharmacists say more attention should be paid to potentially harmful -- even deadly -- drug interactions.

Herbal supplements can change the way prescription medicines work by either canceling the effects of the drug or enhancing them, said Christine Zone, clinical coordinator at Rex Hospital.

Mixing ginseng, garlic or gingko biloba, for example, with common heart medications like Coumadin or blood thinners like Warfarin could lead to uncontrolled bleeding, Zone said."

For more information:
http://www.nbc17.com/news/9183205/detail.html

[admin]

"The government could save hundreds of millions of dollars a year if the Medicare program would stop paying for medical errors such as operations on the wrong body part or mismatched blood transfusions.

Mark McClellan, who directs the Medicare and Medicaid programs, said Wednesday the government reimburses doctors, hospitals and other health care providers even when they make serious and preventable errors. The government pays them for the type of service performed rather than the quality."

For more information:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1155AP_Medicare_Error_Payments.html

[admin]

"Federal drug agents contend that the hottest trend in illegal drugs doesn't come in by the ton from South America, it comes by the pill from the drug store.

"The abuse of pharmaceutical drugs is one of the biggest concerns we have. It's an extremely fast growing problem -- especially amongst younger folks," explained agent Mark Trouville.

Federal law requires a prescription for narcotic drugs that is written only after a face-to-face examination by a licensed physician. However, with the explosion of Internet pharmacies, doctors say thousands of people are bypassing the physical exam every day."

For more information:
http://www.tampabaylive.com/stories/2006/05/060523drugs.shtml

[admin]

"Thousands of hurricane evacuees scattered throughout Louisiana were without their life-saving medications for days, sometimes weeks.

Pharmacists now say during times of emergencies, the state will relax its requirements so people can get their much-needed medicines.

Pharmacists say there are some basic things you need to do to make sure you have the prescriptions you need during a time of emergency."

For more information:
http://www.klfy.com/Global/story.asp?S=4967125

[admin]

"On the one-year anniversary of the introduction of a bill to eliminate the 24-month waiting period that people with debilatating disabilities must endure before their Medicare coverage begins, the Medicare Rights Center is pleading with the Senate Finance Committee "to at least hold a hearing on this federal policy that creates unspeakable human suffering."

In a letter to Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), the ranking Democrat, Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, said: "How long can Congress close its eyes to the misery of Americans who played by the rules, paid their taxes, and suddenly find themselves unable to work because of severe disability?""

For more information:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/06/medicare_waiting_period.html

[admin]

"With the close of the initial enrollment period for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, plans run by UnitedHealth Group have signed up more than 200,000 people in North Carolina, the company says.

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) is the parent company of Greensboro-based insurance provider UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, which is the second largest health insurer in the state with about 11 percent of market share in 2004, the latest year for which data is available."

For more information:
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2006/06/19/daily32.html

[admin]

"When Congress created the Medicare prescription drug program, it adopted an unusual idea to hold down costs — the so-called "doughnut hole."

Under the plan, beneficiaries pay the first $250 in drug costs for the year. The plan then pays 75 percent of the next $2,000. After that comes the $2,850 doughnut hole, in which seniors are responsible for the whole bill. Once a beneficiary passes $5,100 in total drug costs, Medicare pays 95 percent"

For more information:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/health/4019942.html

[admin]

"Federal officials are backing off a little on a requirement for recipients to prove they're citizens before getting health care through Medicaid.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is issuing regulations to exempt about eight (m) million people from new rules requiring documentation.

About six (m) million of those exempted qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Another two (m) million aged and disabled people who get an income supplement will also be exempted."

For more information: http://www.thecre.com/forums/newreply.php?action=newreply&threadid=681

[admin]

"Consumers spent more on prescription drugs in June, highlighting drugstores as the bright spot in this drab summer shopping season."

"Drugstores have started to take advantage of Medicare's new prescription drug plan that picks up much of the bill for senior citizens' medicine."

For More Information: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/0713sector0713.html

[admin]

"Four of the 10 "best-selling" brand-name prescription drugs will lose patent protection this year through 2010."
"The anticholesterol medication Zocor, manufactured by Merck, and the antidepressant Zoloft, manufactured by Pfizer, lost patent protection last month."

For More Information: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=38518

[admin]

WASHINGTON — "Anticipating a fight over votes from seniors, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is launching a $10 million television and radio ad campaign thanking mostly Republican lawmakers who backed the Medicare prescription drug program.

The business federation plans to air the ads in Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Nebraska as well as other states. The money would be divided almost evenly between House and Senate races."

For More Information: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4074397.html

[admin]

"Makers of unapproved prescription cough and cold medicines containing the drug carbinoxamine must stop selling them within 30 to 90 days, U.S. regulators said on Thursday, citing concerns the drug may harm young children.

Twenty-one deaths have been reported among children under age 2 who took carbinoxamine products, the Food and Drug Administration said."

For More Information: http://www.NewsTarget.com/019866.html

[admin]

"WASHINGTON--In an effort rein in escalating healthcare costs, Medicare announced its plans to cut physician payment rates by 5.1 percent, but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also said it plans to update the wage index and drug add-on adjustment for dialysis services.

Medicare said total drug add-on adjustment to 2007's dialysis composite rate would be 15.2 percent, which includes the growth update adjustment of 0.6 percent.

CMS also said specialty hospitals could face a fine as much as $10,000 each day if financial arrangements with physicians are not disclosed in a timely manner."

For More Information: http://www.renalbusiness.com/hotnews/68h109141219010.html

[admin]

"The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC has just published a 33-page booklet "Free and Low Cost Prescription Drugs 8th Edition." The revised booklet gives information on how and where to get free and low cost prescription drugs."

"Not all people will qualify for the programs. There are 103 programs and 1,104 drugs listed. Qualifications vary by manufacturer. In the last ten years thousands of people have used these programs to receive free prescription medication."

For More Information: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prescription/drugs/prweb424720.htm

[admin]

"Declaring that "shopping around is an important thing to do," Governor Corzine on Monday signed a law that requires pharmacists to report their prescription drug prices to the state, which will then post those prices on the Internet.

The New Jersey Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry will provide cost information, updated at least weekly, on the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs sold by approximately 600 pharmacies statewide."

For More Information: http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MTAmZmdi ZWw3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTY5Nzk4OTUmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZU VFeXky

[admin]

"The U.S. Food and Drug and Administration says prescription drugs bought on 10 Canadian pharmacies websites have turned up as fakes.

The agency said it tested drugs intercepted on the way to American consumers and they turned up counterfeits of 10 popular medications, including the cholesterol drugs Lipitor and Crestor, and the painkiller Celebrex."

For More Information: http://www.klas-tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5351843

[admin]

"THURSDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- If proposed cuts in Medicare payments to physicians take effect early next year as planned, many U.S. doctors would be forced to limit the number of older Americans they can see as patients, the American Medical Association said Thursday.

However, Congress seems likely to postpone the cuts for at least one more year. Eighty senators have signed a letter to the Senate leadership, asking that the cuts to doctors be delayed."

For More Information: http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2006/09/07/hscout534838.html

[admin]

"WASHINGTON — Average monthly premiums will hold steady next year under Medicare's prescription-drug program as competing insurers offer a range of new coverage options.

The average premium will be less than $24. Prices for the least expensive plans — as cheap as $1.87 in some parts of the country — will rise for the program's second year. Medicare officials will unveil details about 2007 plan offerings Friday."

For More Information: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-28-medicare-premiums_x.htm

[admin]

"WASHINGTON — The saga of the erroneous refund will continue at least a few more months for an estimated 230,000 Medicare beneficiaries.

The federal government sent out $50 million in refunds in August, then told recipients they had to return the money, which averaged $215. About half did.

A district judge ordered the government to send back all repayments and let people know they might be able to keep the money if they proved economic hardship. The government appealed."

For More Information: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4239226.html

[admin]

"Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday announced that the statewide expansion of a pilot program in Florida under which some company pharmacies will sell 30-day prescriptions of some generic medications for $4 will occur on Friday, three months earlier than expected.

Last month, Wal-Mart announced that the program would initially include 65 Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Neighborhood Market pharmacies in the Tampa, Fla., area and would expand statewide in early 2007 and possibly to other states in the future."

For More Information: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=53633

[admin]

"WASHINGTON — The federal government has told about 632,000 elderly and disabled people they will not be automatically enrolled in a Medicare drug plan next year.

These people are still eligible, but they will have to shop for a plan and then enroll on their own rather than having the government do it for them. To afford the benefit, many also will need to apply for a low-income subsidy."

For More Information: http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/nation/15791596.htm

[admin]

"NEW YORK - Older black adults are less likely than whites to have their blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar under control, even if they belong to a high-quality Medicare plan, researchers reported Tuesday.

The findings, published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association, show that racial disparities are common throughout the Medicare system."

For More Information: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15402915/

[admin]

"WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Medicare will be among the first programs to face changes when Democrats take control of the House next year, the party`s leader said Wednesday.

In her first news conference as the Democrats apparent pick to the next Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said her party would move to alter Medicare`s prescription drug benefit within the first several days of their tenure in the majority next year." \

For More Information:
http://news.monstersandcritics.com/health/article_1219847.php/Medicare_tops_Dems%60_agenda

[gdpawel]

Medicare Drug Plan Helps Patients Fight Cancer

By Steven Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_38547.html

A National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) poll found that 89% of Americans said that the distinction between oral and intravenous applications should be abolished so that Medicare beneficiaries can have access to the best drugs to treat their form of cancer.

Apparently, Medicare has gone far in accomplishing that task. Nearly all generic cancer drugs and 70% of brand-name cancer drugs are covered by the Part D plans. Most of the brand-name drugs not covered had generic equivalents that are covered. And a number of trusted, old (generic) agents have been found to be just as effacious as the more expensive brand name ones.

Many infusional therapies are typically biotechnology drugs made of complicated proteins that are injected. This makes them several times more expensive than traditional pill-form pharmaceuticals.

More chemotherapy is given for breast cancer than for any other form of cancer and there have been more published reports of clinical trials for breast cancer than for any other form of cancer. So, according to NCI's March 31, 2006 official cancer information website on "state of the art" chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic breast cancer, it is unclear whether single-agent chemotherapy or combination chemotherapy is preferable for first-line treatment.

At this time, no data support the superiority of any particular regimen. So, it would appear that published reports of clinical trials provide precious little in the way of guidance. There are many cancer drug regimens, all of which have approximately the same probability of working. The tumors of different patients have different responses to chemotherapy. It requires individualized treatment based on testing the individual properties of each patient's cancer.

Cancers that can be treated with oral chemotherapy include, breast cancer, colon and colorectal cancer, Leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia, Lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, brain tumours.

Oral chemotherapeutic agents are easy to use and offer the promise of less frequent visits to oncology-based offices and their infusion rooms. This promise is not trivial, especially as we have come to realize that many forms of cancer may be managed with these drugs, especially when they offer the equivalent outcome as intravenous drugs.

[admin]

"Even though elderly and disabled Houstonians on Medicare have more choices next year for prescription-drug plans, officials think most people will stick with what they have.

That may not be the best option.

On Wednesday, the first day that beneficiaries could switch or renew their plans for 2007, advocates were urging people to check carefully for upcoming changes in their plan and consider other options before the renewal deadline on Dec. 31."

For More Information: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4338630.html

[admin]

"As debate continues over whether the U.S. government should negotiate directly with drug makers over Medicare drug prices, we measure how well Americans have been served by the market so far.

Medicare drug prices and premiums have gone up during the first year of the benefit, as have profits for drug companies and insurers. The new Democratic majority in Congress has promised to enable the government to negotiate Medicare drug prices with manufacturers."

For More Information: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6498336

[admin]

"WASHINGTON A smoother start reported for the second year of Medicare's drug benefit.

This, even as hundreds of thousands of people are either entering the program for the first time or changing plans.

A spokeswoman for the National Community Pharmacists Association says while "not perfect" it seems "a lot better" than last year. And a representative of the Medicare Rights Center says there's a "smattering" of problems but "nothing overwhelming" like last year."

For More Infrormation: http://www.wwaytv3.com/Global/story.asp?S=5888863.

[admin]

"McALLEN — Individual senior citizens could save hundreds of dollars more a year on prescription drugs if Congress passes a proposed Medicare reform measure.

Seniors enrolled in the Medicare Part D program already save an average of $1,100 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

But more savings may be in the offing as Democrats plan to revamp how the federal government deals with pharmaceutical companies when Congress convenes today with a new Democratic majority."

For More Information: http://www.themonitor.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=17198&Section=Local

[admin]

"Although the House Democratic leadership plans to move swiftly to pass legislation requiring direct federal negotiation of prescription drug prices under Medicare, opponents of the policy expect the battle to continue in the coming months.

By taking immediate action on the Medicare Part D prescription-drug benefit as part of her “100 hours” agenda soon after the 110th Congress convenes today, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will make it nearly impossible for drug makers, health-insurance companies and lobbies to stop the bill from passing."

For More Information: http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/TheExecutive/010407_partd.html

[admin]

"Three lawmakers have asked CMS for information on Medicare reimbursements to West Texas Hospital, a physician-owned specialty hospital, during an 18-month moratorium on payments to such facilities after a patient entered respiratory arrest and died last month as a result of complications from elective spinal surgery performed at the hospital."

For More Information: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=42869

[admin]

The White House Council of Economic Advisers on Monday plans to release the annual Economic Report of the President, which includes recommendations on Medicare and other entitlement programs, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to the report, changes to Medicare and other entitlement programs are important to increase productivity in the long term. Edward Lazear, chair of the council, added that advances in health care efficiency and other areas could increase productivity in the long term (McKinnon, Wall Street Journal, 2/12).

For More Information: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=42873

[admin]

"CMS Acting Administrator Leslie V. Norwalk announced the elimination of the 2007 late enrollment penalty for any beneficiary eligible for the low income subsidy for a Part D plan even if they failed to sign up by the program's initial deadline.

Generally, Medicare beneficiaries who are qualified to join a prescription drug plan, or Part D, but choose not to enroll during their initial enrollment period, may be subject to a late enrollment penalty (LEP). These fees were intended to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to sign up for the drug coverage plan when they first become eligible, but may cause some lowincome beneficiaries to avoid seeking coverage."

For More Information: http://www.cherokeesentinel.com/news/2007/0228/Local_News/050.html

[admin]

"CHARLESTON -- West Virginia's plan to combat the rising costs of prescription medicine is moving forward in the Legislature, despite many questions and concerns from House members on Tuesday.

By a 76 to 19 vote, the bill now heads to the state Senate.

The bill is a substitute for the governor's original bill.

"There must be some relief for these awful prices they put on these things. It's amazing to me the people in other countries can get theirs cheaper than we can and they're made here," said Del. Brady Paxton, D-Putnam."

For More Information: http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=20641

[admin]

"March 26 (Bloomberg) -- Walgreen Co.'s second-quarter earnings rose 25 percent, more than analysts estimated, on increased sales of more-profitable generic drugs.

Net income climbed to $651.9 million, or 65 cents a share, from $523.5 million, or 51 cents, a year earlier, the company said today. Analysts polled by Bloomberg had forecast an average profit of 61 cents at Walgreen, the largest U.S. drugstore chain."

For More Information: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aZ8Z4KlMlMEE&refer=us

[admin]

"WASHINGTON, March 30 (UPI) -- Medicare will approve additional hospitals for ventricular assist device implantations, the U.S. agency said Friday.

The implanted devices are used to aid a damaged or weakened heart in pumping blood after cardiac procedures.

Under the previous Medicare regulations, approved facilities had to meet requirements outlined in a 2003 National Coverage Determination.

The updated requirements, which could open the door to certification of more facilities, include having an experienced surgeon on hand, and certification by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations."

For More Information: http://www.upi.com/HealthBusiness/medicare_updates_heart_device_rules/20070330-031258-7718r/

[admin]

"Medical device maker DexCom Inc. said Monday it is one step closer to gaining reimbursement for its continuous glucose monitoring devices.

The company said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid issued a positive preliminary decision on Friday for DexCom to develop Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes for its devices. The codes describe specific health care items and procedures and are necessary for processing health insurance claims."

For More Information: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8OD2JF00.htm

[admin]

WASHINGTON --Senate Republicans appear determined to block legislation letting the government negotiate directly with drug companies for lower drug prices under Medicare, the latest obstacle for a proposal Democrats once trumpeted as a surefire money-saver.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the GOP leader, said Monday that many members of his rank and file believe the new Medicare prescription drug program is "working beautifully, with remarkable coverage," and doesn't need fixing.

For More Information: http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/04/17/fda_lifts_a_boston_scientific_alert_clears_way_for _new_products/

[admin]

"The upcoming report on Medicare’s financial health is likely to contain a first-of-its-kind warning that will require President Bush to find ways to make the entitlement program more self-reliant.
House Republicans came up with the idea for the warning when drawing up the Medicare drug benefit in 2003. Lawmakers say they were concerned the program’s future growth would crowd out essential spending for defense, education and other purposes."

For More Information: http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=195803

[admin]

"The results of the annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees report released this week are not good. The government's will is once again bigger than its wallet. The report shows an unfunded liability in Social Security and Medicare over the next 75 years at $51.7 trillion.
In just five years, these two programs will require 10 percent of other federal revenues. That means in five years the federal government will have to stop doing about one in every 10 non-entitlement things it has been doing in order to balance the budget and keep its promises to the elderly," said John Goodman, president of the National Center for Policy Analysis."

For More Information: http://washingtontimes.com/business/20070426-092015-4933r.htm

[admin]

"Some health insurers "have used improper hard-sell tactics" to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in private fee-for-service plans, the "fastest-growing type" of Medicare Advantage plan, according to a number of state and federal officials and consumer advocates, the New York Times reports. Private fee-for-service plans, which allow patients to visit any physicians or hospitals that will provide treatment on terms established by health insurers, in some cases can reduce access to care and increase costs for Medicare beneficiaries, according to the Times."

For More Information: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=44732

[admin]

"Purdue Pharma has agreed to pay $19.5 million to 26 states and Washington, D.C., to settle claims that the company promoted its painkiller OxyContin for off-label uses, the company announced on Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reports (Wall Street Journal, 5/9). According to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and state Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Purdue also allegedly violated FDA rules by promoting OxyContin for use every eight hours, rather than the approved dosage of every 12 hours (Hathaway, Hartford Courant, 5/9)."

For More Information: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=44809

[admin]

Medicare does not do enough to prevent provider fraud, the American Association for Homecare said Thursday.
In the wake of a series of revelations about fraud taking place among long-term-care providers in the Medicare program, association president Tyler Wilson said stepped-up efforts to crack down on Medicare fraud are necessary.

For More Information: http://www.upi.com/Health_Business/Briefing/2007/05/17/group_medicare_should_nix_homecare_fraud/7541/

[jacob]

WASHINGTON --Senate Republicans appear determined to block legislation letting the government negotiate directly with drug companies for lower drug prices under Medicare, the latest obstacle for a proposal Democrats once trumpeted as a surefire money-saver.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, the GOP leader, said Monday that many members of his rank and file believe the new Medicare prescription drug program is "working beautifully, with remarkable coverage," and doesn't need fixing.

For More Information: http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/04/17/fda_lifts_a_boston_scientific_alert_clears_way_for _new_products/

But if something is working beautifully it doesn't mean it is flawless. It could benefit from a little tweaking. So blocking this legislation is a complete sign of ignorance. How could the population not benefit from more cheap medications (https://www.planetdrugsdirect.com/)