Seniors face double-digit premium hikes in most Medicare prescription drug plans

WASHINGTON — Seniors enrolled in seven of the 10 most popular Medicare prescription drug plans will be hit with double-digit premium hikes next year if they don't shop for a better deal, says a private firm that analyzes the highly competitive market.
The report Monday by Avalere Health is a reality check on the Obama's administration's upbeat pronouncements. Back in August, officials had announced that the average premium for basic prescription drug coverage will stay the same in 2013, at $30 a month.
The administration's number is accurate as an overall indicator for the entire market, but not very helpful to consumers individually since it doesn't reflect price swings in the real world.
"The average senior is going to benefit by carefully scrutinizing their situation, because every year the market changes," Avalere President Dan Mendelson said. Avalere crunched the numbers based on bid documents that the plans submitted to Medicare.
The report found premium increases for all top 10 prescription drug plans, known as PDPs. However, the most popular plan — AARP MedicareRx Preferred — is only going up 57 cents per month nationally, to $40.42 from the current $39.85. Read More

BBB on Seniors: Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage open enrollment rolls around again

From the Better Business Bureau

It's that time of year again, open enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans takes place Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
Because it is so important to review your Medicare Part D plans and your Medicare Advantage plan (if you have one) every year, I am repeating the information from last year.
This is your opportunity to review your current health needs and make adjustments based on your needs and your health-care costs.
It also is an opportunity for scam artists and unscrupulous people to take advantage of you, so here are some pointers about what you should and should not do. Read More.

Circus and the City: New York City 1793-2010

“Circus and the City: New York 1793-2010” opens on Friday at the Bard Graduate Center Galleries.(18 West 86th Street, NY, NY) Glenn Collins writes that the exhibition “chronicles the rise, triumph and ultimate fragmentation of the circus through the lens of the city, making the case that the circus transformed entertainment, media and advertising and that the city itself played an important role in the evolution of the American circus.”

Some of the items on display are from the Barnum Museum of Bridgeport which is still recovering from the damage caused by a tornedo in 2010. The Barnum Museum is now open two days a week.

Click here  to see some items on display.

Phineas Taylor Barnum
Phineas Taylor Barnum photo by Mathew Brady, c.1860
Born	Phineas Taylor Barnum July 5, 1810 Bethel, Connecticut
Died	April 7, 1891 (aged 80) Bridgeport, Connecticut
Resting place	Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport
Known for	Opening the "Barnum and Bailey Circus"
Political party	Democratic (1824–54) Republican (1854–91)
Religion	Universalist
Signature

Detective Work: The False Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Plenty of health issues mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, including some that physicians don't think to check for. Some are even treatable, once they are properly diagnosed. Melinda Beck has details on Lunch Break. Photo: David R. Lutman for The Wall Street Journal.

Family members of J.D. "Jasper" Cain suspected he had Alzheimer's disease as they watched the once fun-loving father and husband struggle with memory and movement. Three doctors thought he had Parkinson's disease and kept raising his medication dose when he didn't improve.
At his daughter's suggestion, Mr. Cain, of Bedford, Ind., saw a neurologist last year who did an MRI, then a spinal tap. He found that Mr. Cain had a buildup of fluid in the brain called normal pressure hydrocephalus. The fluid was drained with a surgically implanted shunt. Now, 13 years after his symptoms began Mr. Cain, 70, is walking, joking and matching wits with TV's "Jeopardy" again. "It was just like getting my life back," he says. Read More.

If cats could talk, what would they tell us?

By Wendy Diamond

 

(ARA) - In 2005, a group of French archaeologists discovered the remains of an 8-month-old cat buried with its human owner at a Neolithic site in Cyprus, leading some to believe cats may have been domesticated as far back as 10,000 years ago. While I'm no archaeologist, I'm certain that cats were as much of a mystery back then as they are today. We think we know everything there is to know about cats, but we really don't - and what we don't know can hurt them, including the dangers of flea infestations.

If cats could talk, they would set the record straight about the Top 10 Cat Myths. But they can't talk, which is why Bayer HealthCare, Animal Health Division's Advantage(R) II for cats asked me and my "side cat," Pasha, to speak up for them, since we're the "Cat Myth Busters!"

While we take care of busting the myths, Bayer's Advantage II takes care of killing fleas. Lucky for Pasha, Advantage II kills through contact, so fleas don't have to bite to die.

Myth #1: There are more dogs as pets, than cats.
Fact: According to the Humane Society of the U.S., Americans have 86 million cat pets, versus 78 million dog pets - so cats rule!

Myth #2: Cats who don't scratch more than usual don't have fleas.
Fact: Even if cats don't itch or scratch more than normal, they may still have fleas. In fact, some cats tolerate fleas in their fur. What may look like a cat's normal nibbling could actually be their reaction to irritating fleas. And fleas can cause more than just itching; in fact, constant scratching from flea infestations can lead to hair loss and other skin issues. Additionally, fleas can cause secondary allergic reactions and problems such as tapeworm infections, cat scratch disease and anemia.

Myth #3: Cats are cold and aloof, so they don't make good pets.
Fact: Cats can be just as social and affectionate as dogs. For instance, if your cat's ears and tail are standing up - even if she's not slobbering all over your face like Fido - she's probably glad to see you!

Myth #4: A purring cat is a happy cat.
Fact: Cats purr, not only when they are happy, but also when they feel uncomfortable, like when they are recovering from an injury.

Myth #5: Keeping cats indoors prevents them from getting fleas.
Fact: Indoor cats may be at risk for fleas. In fact, fleas can be brought into the home by other pets without you even realizing it.

And remember, the minute you let your indoor cat outside - even for only a few moments and even on a leash - your "indoor" cat becomes an "outdoor" cat, potentially exposed to fleas.

Myth #6: Cats only smell with their noses.
Fact: Cats smell with their noses and also with their mouths. So when a cat appears to be smiling, she may just be opening her mouth slightly so that she can better sniff out the situation!

Myth #7: Cats take care of themselves, and so are low maintenance.
Fact: Cats may seem like they groom themselves more and complain less than dogs, but they need just as much healthcare as dogs, including application of a flea preventive once a month, 12 months a year, and at least an annual check-up by your vet. The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study revealed forty percent of cats have not been to the vet in the last year, which is especially harmful for older cats since they are more prone to diabetes, kidney failure and cancer.

Myth #8: Cats only need flea prevention during the summer months.
Fact: Since fleas in virtually any weather can pose problems to your cat, the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends providing pets with year-round flea control.

Myth #9: Cats and dogs are arch-enemies.
Fact: "Fighting like cats and dogs" is an old cat's tale! Cats and dogs can be buddies if they're introduced to each other gradually, allowing them to get familiar with each other. Spaying or neutering cat and dog pets may limit aggressive tendencies.

Myth #10: Milk is good for cats.
Fact: Many cats are lactose intolerant, so even if a cat enjoys milk, it may be hard for her to digest.

Pasha and I have come up with a "win-win" game plan for you to learn more about protecting your cats against fleas, while protecting cats in shelters, too. And it's easy! Visit CatMythBusters.com to play our myth game and join the PetParents.com community, which gives you access to helpful tips and resources. For every new PetParents.com member, a donation of Bayer's Advantage II for cats will be made to AdoptaPet.com, a non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.

Ten cat myths busted: mission accomplished! Until next time, this is Wendy Diamond and Pasha reminding you to love your cat and treat her monthly with a flea preventive like Bayer's Advantage II for cats!

Wendy Diamond is America's foremost pet lifestyle expert and a frequent contributor to the Today Show, Good Morning America and other national media outlets. Pasha is a Russian Blue cat with his paw on the pulse of the top feline trends. Together, this dynamic duo is known as the "Cat Myth Busters!" For more information on Bayer's Advantage II for cats, visit CatMythBusters.com.

Social Security recipients embrace electronic payments, give high marks to Treasury-recommended prepaid card

(ARA) - If you receive one of the 6 million paper checks for your monthly Social Security or other federal benefit, the time has come to switch to the safety and convenience of electronic payments.

With less than one year until the March 1, 2013, deadline for all federal benefit recipients to switch from paper checks to electronic payments, a new U.S. Department of the Treasury study has found overwhelming support for its recommended Direct Express(R) Debit MasterCard(R) card. According to a cardholder survey, 95 percent of individuals who use the Direct Express(R) card to receive monthly Social Security payments are satisfied with the card, and 93 percent also report they are likely to recommend the card to others.

"We hope that hearing about the extremely high satisfaction with the Direct Express(R) card will encourage check recipients to make the switch to the card or direct deposit as soon as possible," says David Lebryk, commissioner of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service. "This card helps senior citizens, people with disabilities and others who lack access to traditional banking services to pay bills, withdraw cash and make purchases without worrying about their paper checks being lost or stolen or paying check-cashing fees."

Easy and safe to use

Introduced in June 2008, the Direct Express(R) card has helped more than 3 million Americans to safely and easily access their federal benefit payments. The card, which can be used with no or low fees, provides a more convenient way for all Americans to access their federal benefits, while also improving government efficiency and delivering more than $1 billion in savings. Federal benefit recipients also can choose to have their benefit payments deposited directly into their bank or credit union account.

The Treasury Department published a final rule in December 2010 to gradually eliminate paper checks for federal benefit payments.

Since May 1, 2011, anyone applying for new federal benefits, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management benefits and other non-tax payments, have had to choose direct deposit or a Direct Express(R) card when they sign up for the benefit. For those who began receiving benefits earlier, March 1, 2013 is the final deadline, and all remaining federal benefit check recipients must start receiving their money electronically.

Learn more about electronic payments

The Treasury Department's Go Direct(R) public education campaign is working with more than 1,800 partner organizations nationwide to spread the message about the electronic payment rule and to educate federal benefit recipients about their options. The campaign recently introduced a new public service announcement as well as a series of educational videos and print materials that explain how electronic payments work and how to use the Direct Express(R) card. The videos and materials are available on the Go Direct campaign website at www.GoDirect.org.

Make the switch today

Federal benefit recipients can switch to electronic payments online at www.GoDirect.org or through the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center toll-free at 1-800-333-1795. It's free to switch and takes less than 10 minutes.

Go paperless today and enjoy electronic benefits for many years to come.

The preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service.

The cardholder survey was conducted by KRC Research and commissioned by MasterCard Worldwide on behalf of the Treasury Department's Financial Management Service.

The Go Direct(R) campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Direct Express(R) logo, Go Direct(R) and Direct Express(R) are registered service marks, and the Go Direct(SM) logo is a service mark, of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service. The Direct Express(R) Debit MasterCard(R) card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard(R) and the MasterCard(R) Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

Tips for seniors on managing health care costs

(ARA) - Finding the Medicare coverage that best fits their needs and their pocketbooks is challenging for many seniors. Health care plans make changes to their coverage. People’s health conditions change. Not keeping on top of these changes can mean problems. Suddenly seniors may find they don’t have needed coverage, their doctor no longer takes their plan, or they face steep medical or prescription drug costs.
That’s why it’s essential to review Medicare coverage and individual needs each year, and to use the Medicare annual open enrollment period to make changes to coverage. Medicare annual open enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, with new benefit choices effective the following Jan. 1.
“Getting started early is key,” says Mary Dale Walters, senior vice president of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service. “Choosing Medicare coverage is complicated, even when you have lots of information on the Web. It can be difficult to get current plan information and to get an apples-to-apples comparison of plans.”
Walters offers these tips for seniors to manage and lower their health care costs.
1. Be an informed consumer. Millions of seniors, their families and caregivers will be pleased to know that for the third straight year the average basic Medicare prescription drug premiums will remain steady.
Since enacted, the Affordable Care Act has helped more than 5.4 million people with Medicare save more than $4.1 billion in out-of-pocket prescription drug expenses. These are significant results as the law closes the Medicare Part D donut hole coverage gap, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Seniors can capitalize on those savings by knowing exactly what they are paying for — shop around for better prescription prices and ask about costs. For additional savings, use generic medications. Take advantage of Medicare preventive services, including many types of screenings, tests, shots, counseling, training and supplies now offered without co-pays or other out-of-pocket costs.
2. Ask for help. In addition to guidance on retirement, estate and long-term care planning, seniors can rely on professionals to help them with health care choices. Walters points out this can include Medicare specialists such as Allsup or financial planners who often consult Medicare experts.
“Health care planning is a quality of life and a financial issue,” Walters says. “If you need assistance sorting through the overwhelming number of options, it’ s important to know that help is out there for you — don’t be afraid to ask.”
Grace Hercules used Allsup to research her Medicare needs and found she could save more than $1,000 a year by switching drug plans. “I thought a mail-order prescription plan was best for me, but their specialists proved me wrong about this — and I am so happy,” she says.
“People can probably do their own taxes, but when they pay a tax adviser they get better returns,” Hercules adds. “It’s getting the mindset that good help is available. It’s really worth getting expert help and not having the aggravation.”
3. Be proactive. Having known and been around seniors, Hercules says she is saddened that so many settle for high costs or keep the same Medicare plan year after year because of a lack of understanding.
Just as seniors review their finances or taxes each year, Medicare annual enrollment is the ideal time to review health care coverage, Walters says. “It’s OK to admit it’s confusing and that help will be valuable. Look at all your Medicare options and take charge of your health care.”
In addition to annual Medicare enrollment, special enrollment periods happen throughout the year for specific situations. For an evaluation of Medicare options, call an Allsup Medicare Advisor specialist at 866-521-7655, or go to medicare.allsup.com.