Garlo Ward, P.C.

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Medicare Part D Scams

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CMS is warning people against scams regarding the Medicare prescription plan, This scheme is called the "$299 Ring" for the typical amount of money Medicare beneficiaries are talked into withdrawing from their checking accounts to pay for a nonexistent prescription drug plan. Consumers can report these cases to their local law enforcement agencies or call 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Beware of those asking for personal information, No Medicare drug plan can ask a person with … [Read more...] about Medicare Part D Scams

Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House

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A group of pharmacists in Texas is lobbying the White House, demanding to be reimbursed for giving away prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries. From CNNMoney.com: "If pharmacists don't receive immediate relief, some will go broke," Bill Pittman, a former president of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy who is chairman of Pharmacists for Bush, a political fund-raising group, was quoted by the Times as saying he told Rove. "Others are hurting so bad that they will choose not to … [Read more...] about Texas Pharmacists Lobby White House

CQ Editor Discusses Medicare; Millions Missing Out on Coverage

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Mary Agnes Carey, associate editor of CQ [Congressional Quarterly] HealthBeat spoke about the FY 2007 budget, the FY 2006 budget reconciliation, and Medicare's prescription drug program. (Medical News Today) Under the FY 2007, Medicare spending would be cut by $36 billion. Medicare payments would be reduced for certain long term care providers, including home health agencies. Carey also discussed a clerical error found in the FY 2006 budget reconciliation bill after it was passed in the House … [Read more...] about CQ Editor Discusses Medicare; Millions Missing Out on Coverage

Sen. Grassley: “Beneficiaries have significant rights and protections under the new program.”

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Several politicians weighed in on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit in The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper. (Medical News Today) Senator Chuck Grassley (pictured), the lone Republican in the group, says although some claim the new drug benefit program is complex, having choices will ensure that beneficiaries will get the best plan for their needs. Grassley added that the Medicare call center is available 24 hours a day. Senator John Kerry, the Democrat from Massachusetts, … [Read more...] about Sen. Grassley: “Beneficiaries have significant rights and protections under the new program.”

Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers

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KaiserEDU.org has posted information of interest to long term care providers: long term care financing and Medicaid 101. You may review the tutorials and Power Point slides at this link. The site also features a Q&A section for people with questions about Medicare. In light of Medicare's new prescription drug program, this web site should prove helpful. An excerpt Q: I've heard a lot about the "doughnut hole" in the new Medicare drug benefit. Can you help me understand what it is and how … [Read more...] about Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers

State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid

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The State of the Union address is an overview of the current condition of the nation, not an in-depth analysis of economic, social, or cultural issues. However, I believe Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program is important enough to warrant a brief comment or two. Unfortunately, the president didn't mention it at all. The new drug program has received widespread criticism from beneficiaries, doctors, and providers who say the program is confusing and complicated. (See the … [Read more...] about State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid

Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up

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Medical News Today rounds up opinions from major newspapers on Medicare's new (and confusing) prescription drug program. A large part of the problem is government bureaucracy. From the Los Angeles Times (free registration): Pharmacists are having trouble finding out which plan people are enrolled in, forcing some to leave pharmacies empty-handed. The most desperate are showing up at emergency-room doors hoping to get the medication they were promised. Meanwhile, waits on help lines set … [Read more...] about Medicare Drug Program Opinion Round-up

CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion

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Despite innumerable news stories, op-eds, and general negative reaction about the new drug program, CMS apparently didn't anticipate delays in filling prescriptions for Medicare beneficiaries. Some beneficiaries have had to pay for prescriptions themselves, and some pharmacies have "loaned" medication until CMS fixes the mess. Larry Kocot, an adviser to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan, said some of the problems were caused by the late December rush to enroll in the prescription drug … [Read more...] about CMS Hires Staff to Deal with Medicare Drug Program Confusion

Drugs Excluded from Medicare Part D

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The blogger over at Over! My! Med! Body! is a third year medical student. His blog is very informative about Health Care policies. He recently posted an article that will answer questions you may have about why some medications seem to be missing from the Medicare Drug Calculator. He obtained the following information from a Medicare patient advocate: In your tutorial, you mention that you have questions with the "Enter My Medications" section. First, the Federal legislation … [Read more...] about Drugs Excluded from Medicare Part D