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Quarter of Medicare drug plans get poor ratings

Federal officials gave negative assessments to more than 25 percent of these prescription drug plans. In the Washington area, that number is even higher. Also in the news, Medicare's database comparing hospital patient safety.

27 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Health law curbs savings from OTC meds; Calif. wrestles with managing medical marijuana

[Over-the-counter] medicines play an important role in our nation's health care system, with almost 90 percent of physicians recommending patients try to address many ailments with self-care interventions, including the use of OTC medication, before seeking professional care.

24 Oct 2011

VA reviewing millions spent outside the agency on care in Phoenix

The Arizona Republic reports that the Veterans Administration is looking into spending after noting that the system had surpassed its budget for community fee care.

24 Oct 2011

Holes appearing in some states' safety nets for disabled, seniors; Ohio referendum looms

Health care news from Georgia, Ohio, California, Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts and Texas.

24 Oct 2011

Cigna enters definitive agreement to acquire HealthSpring for $55 per share

Cigna Corporation and HealthSpring, Inc. today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement under which Cigna will acquire all the outstanding shares of HealthSpring for $55 per share in cash, a 37% premium over the closing stock price on Friday October 21, 2011, representing a total transaction value of approximately $3.8 billion.

24 Oct 2011

Earlier Medicare enrollment period brings new round of ads

Open enrollment periods for health plans also focus the spotlight on how health coverage is likely to change in 2014 when key elements of the health law take effect.

24 Oct 2011

Vets, Medicare beneficiaries worry about future health coverage

News outlets covered protests of seniors and concern by veterans' groups about possible increases in costs for their health insurance.

24 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: The toll of Medicare fraud; insurer's Medicare Advantage switch can confuse seniors

In a searing two-part investigative series earlier this week, the Chronicle's Terri Langford wrote about unscrupulous operators, here in Houston, who make millions of Medicare dollars exploiting the most vulnerable of our local residents through private ambulances and for-profit psychiatric clinics. Medicare, and American taxpayers, are footing the bill, which is enormous.

22 Oct 2011

Medicare Part B premium costs likely to cut into social security's increase

Social Security benefits will increase by 3.6 percent, but many consumers won't feel more weight in their wallets because of an expected boost in Medicare costs.

21 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: If not CLASS, then what?; House GOP abortion bill; MLK's legacy in health care

Less than 3% of Americans have private long-term care policies. As Baby Boomers age, the problem will only get worse, which was a driving force behind a provision in the new health reform law that would have created a long-term care insurance program called the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act.

21 Oct 2011

First Edition: October 20, 2011

In today's headlines, reports analyzing the super committee's progress, and detailing how Republican rivals' stabs at 'Romneycare' are starting to gaining traction.

20 Oct 2011

Department of Health Care Services dismantles ADHC program for California seniors

The State of California is facing a budget crisis and, as usual, the most vulnerable and needy face the biggest cuts. The Department of Health Care Services is dismantling a vital program for our state's seniors, and Governor Jerry Brown has reneged on a deal to replace the program with some kind of viable alternative.

20 Oct 2011

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated third quarter revenues increase 7% to $25.3B

UnitedHealth Group today reported third quarter results, highlighted by strong enrollment growth in each of UnitedHealthcare's benefits businesses and strong revenue growth at all Optum business units. Third quarter 2011 net earnings were $1.17 per share, with strong performance on all key financial and operational measures.

18 Oct 2011

Older patients drive more safely after surgery and anesthesia care

A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2011 found that older patients drove more safely than their younger counterparts after surgery and anesthesia care at an ambulatory surgery facility.

18 Oct 2011

State news: Texas pharmacies fear lower Medicaid fees

In Rio Grande City, Rene Martinez's Starr Pharmacy has one line for Medicaid patients and another for non-Medicaid patients. On some days, most of his clients can be found waiting on the Medicaid line, a testament to the importance of that federal-state health insurance program in this poor city along the Texas-Mexico border - and to Mr. Martinez's bottom line.

15 Oct 2011

Three-step strategy for healthy bones and strong muscles

For this year's World Osteoporosis Day, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is releasing a 24-page report promoting a three-step strategy for healthy bones and strong muscles.

14 Oct 2011

Reuters: Medicare Part B premiums going up, cuts into Social Security COLA

After two years without an inflation adjustment, the Social Security Administration is expected to announce a 2012 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of more than 3 percent next week. That would be a sizable raise in this economy, and very welcome news to seniors hit hard by rising costs, slumping home equity and very low returns on fixed-income investments. But the good COLA news will come with a nasty kicker.

14 Oct 2011

Bonuses tied to Medicare Advantage's star system reward insurers on quality marks

For the first time, a government-backed quality rating will have a financial meaning to health insurance companies looking to attract millions of older Americans to privately run Medicare coverage next year.

14 Oct 2011

AARP members take to the Hill to protect entitlements

In effort to reinforce national television advertising, more than 400 AARP volunteers and staffers will be on Capitol Hill today to remind lawmakers not to cut Medicare. Meanwhile, both Democratic and Republican leaders are sending clear messages to the "super committee" and their fellow lawmakers regarding what they think should be on the table and how to frame expectations.

13 Oct 2011

Viewpoints: Obama fighting back; putting a price on compassion; questions for GOP candidates

As part of his newfound assertiveness, President Obama is using the term "Obamacare," the Republicans' sneering dismissal of the Democratic health care reforms. We are skeptical that he will be able to turn it into a term of approbation. But it is heartening to see him finally out there defending his pioneering policy with no apologies and an uncharacteristic feistiness.

11 Oct 2011

Seniors News and Research

Quarter of Medicare drug plans get poor ratings

Viewpoints: Health law curbs savings from OTC meds; Calif. wrestles with managing medical marijuana

VA reviewing millions spent outside the agency on care in Phoenix

Holes appearing in some states' safety nets for disabled, seniors; Ohio referendum looms

Cigna enters definitive agreement to acquire HealthSpring for $55 per share

Earlier Medicare enrollment period brings new round of ads

Vets, Medicare beneficiaries worry about future health coverage

Viewpoints: The toll of Medicare fraud; insurer's Medicare Advantage switch can confuse seniors

Medicare Part B premium costs likely to cut into social security's increase

Viewpoints: If not CLASS, then what?; House GOP abortion bill; MLK's legacy in health care

First Edition: October 20, 2011

Department of Health Care Services dismantles ADHC program for California seniors

UnitedHealth Group's consolidated third quarter revenues increase 7% to $25.3B

Older patients drive more safely after surgery and anesthesia care

State news: Texas pharmacies fear lower Medicaid fees

Three-step strategy for healthy bones and strong muscles

Reuters: Medicare Part B premiums going up, cuts into Social Security COLA

Bonuses tied to Medicare Advantage's star system reward insurers on quality marks

AARP members take to the Hill to protect entitlements

Viewpoints: Obama fighting back; putting a price on compassion; questions for GOP candidates

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