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Medicare Minutes



Wed, Jul 30 2008

Medicare Minutes, July 2008 - The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act of 2008

The Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act was passed by the Congress on July 15, 2008 in an override of the President’s veto. This new law makes some important changes to Medicare, keeps benefits in place that were slated to decrease or expire, and makes improvements to other benefits offered by Medicare.

For more on Medicare reform, visit our Medicare Privatization (and Occasional Reform) page.

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Posted at 09:21 AM


Wed, Jun 18 2008

Medicare Minutes, June 2008 - Medicare Part D Covered Drugs, Excluded Drugs, and Formularies

Medicare Part D covers outpatient prescription drugs, but not every drug can be covered. This month, learn more about the drugs that are and are not covered. And for more on Medicare Part D visit our Part D FAQ page.

Don't be fooled about Medicare! Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare strong and independent.

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Posted at 04:21 PM


Thu, May 15 2008

Medicare Minutes, May 2008 - Coverage for Power Mobility Devices

This month on Medicare Minutes, we will learn about Medicare coverage of Power Mobility Devices. For other services that may be covered under Medicare Part B, visit our Medicare part B page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 04:39 PM


Thu, Apr 24 2008

Medicare Minutes, April 2008 - Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Periods

Regular opportunities to enroll in or change Medicare prescription drug plans in 2008 have ended, but some people may be eligible for a "Special Enrollment Period" for Medicare Part D. For more on Medicare Part D visit our Part D FAQ page.

Don't be fooled about Medicare! Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare strong and independent.

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Posted at 10:11 AM


Wed, Mar 05 2008

Medicare Minutes, March 2008 - Coverage for Ambulance Services

This month on Medicare Minutes, we will learn about Medicare coverage of ambulance services. For more on ambulance services and other services that may be covered under Medicare Part B, visit our Medicare part B page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 12:03 PM


Tue, Feb 12 2008

Medicare Minutes, February 2008 - Private Medicare and Me

This month on Medicare Minutes, we will hear the story of one woman's experience with private Medicare plans. For more on so-called "Medicare Advantage" visit our MA FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 10:51 AM


Mon, Jan 07 2008

Medicare Minutes, January 2008 - Subsidies to Private Plans

This month on Medicare Minutes, we discuss the subsidies paid to private Medicare plans. For more on "Medicare Advantage" visit our MA FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 01:28 PM


Thu, Dec 13 2007

Medicare Minutes, December 2007 - Medicare Advantage Enrollment

This month on Medicare Minutes, learn what you need to know when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan. For more on Medicare Advantage visit our MA FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 09:53 AM


Thu, Nov 08 2007

Medicare Minutes, November 2007 - Medicare Part D Open Enrollment

Part D open enrollment begins this month! This month on Medicare Minutes, learn what you need to know when choosing a plan. For more on Medicare Part D visit our Part D FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 02:56 PM


Mon, Oct 22 2007

Medicare Minutes, October 2007 - Medicare Part D Updates

This month on Medicare Minutes, we offer some updates on Medicare PArt D as the open enrollment period approcahes. For more on Medicare Part D visit our Medicare Part D FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 01:36 PM


Fri, Sep 21 2007

Medicare Minutes, September 2007 - Disenrolling from a Medicare Advantage Plan

This month on Medicare Minutes, learn some pitfalls of Medicare Advantage plans, and how to get out of them if you fall in. For more on Medicare Advantage visit our Medicare Advantage FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 01:41 PM


Tue, Aug 14 2007

Medicare Minutes, August 2007 - Medicare Coverage of Hospice Care

This month on Medicare Minutes we bring you the third part in our "Back to Basics" series with a discussion of Medicare coverage for home health services. For a more detailed look at home health coverage and issues, visit our Hospice FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independent.

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Posted at 03:54 PM


Wed, Jul 18 2007

Medicare Minutes, July 2007 - Medicare Home Health Coverage

This month on Medicare Minutes we bring you the second part in our "Back to Basics" series with a discussion of Medicare coverage for home health services. For a more detailed look at home health coverage and issues, visit our Home Health FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to keep Medicare independant.

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Posted at 02:38 PM


Thu, Jun 14 2007

Medicare Minutes, June 2007 - Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage

This month on Medicare Minutes we bring you the first part in our "Back to Basics" series with a discussion of Medicare coverage for Skilled Nursing facility services. For a more detailed look a SNF coverage and issues, visit our Skilled Nursing Facility FAQ page.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to stop cutting and privatizing Medicare.

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Posted at 11:23 AM


Fri, May 04 2007

Medicare Minutes, May 2007 - Stacking the Deck Against Traditional Medicare

Tune in to learn about challenges facing the traditional Medicare program.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to stop cutting and privatizing Medicare.

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Posted at 04:07 PM


Thu, Apr 05 2007

Medicare Minutes, April 2007 - Medicare for the Ages: ALL Ages

Tune in to learn about the false notion of a generation gap in health care funding, and how Medicare could be used to help all Americans.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to stop cutting and privatizing Medicare.

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Posted at 12:55 PM


Tue, Mar 06 2007

Medicare Minutes, March 2007 - The Traditional Medicare Appeals Process

Tune in to learn about the traditional Medicare appeals process, and your right to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Medicare as we know it is at risk. Send a letter telling your public officials to stop cutting and privatizing Medicare.

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Posted at 01:37 PM


Mon, Feb 05 2007

Medicare Minutes, February 2007 - Medicare Matters

Tune in to learn key areas for Medicare reform, and why they matter.

Frustrated by changes to Medicare? Let your public officials know! Sign our Petition for fair and honest Medicare.

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Posted at 02:16 PM


Tue, Jan 02 2007

Medicare Minutes, January 2007 - Part D Tips

Tune in to learn about Medicare Part D transition requirements, exceptions processes and Extra Help.

Frustrated by changes to Medicare? Let your public officials know! Sign our Petition for fair and honest Medicare.

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Posted at 01:57 PM


Fri, Dec 01 2006

Medicare Minutes, December 2006 - Medicare Advantage choices

Tune in to learn what you should know about Medicare managed care choices during the open enrollment period.

Frustrated by changes to Medicare? Let your public officials know! Sign our Petition for fair and honest Medicare.

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Posted at 09:33 AM


Tue, Oct 31 2006

Medicare Minutes, November 2006 - Part D Enrollment Time, Again

Tune in to learn what you should know as the 2007 open enrollment period for Medicare Part D, Medicare’s prescription drug program, comes upon us once again.

Frustrated by Part D enrollment? Let your public officials know! Sign our Petition for fair and honest Medicare.

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Posted at 12:38 PM


Mon, Oct 02 2006

Medicare Minutes, October 2006 - More on the Part B Premium

Tune in to learn more about the new income-based Medicare Part B premium.

For more information on this and other Medicare Part B issues, visit The Medicare Part B Benefit section of medicareadvocacy.org.

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Posted at 10:40 AM


Wed, Sep 06 2006

Medicare Minutes - Changes to the Part B Premium

Tune in to learn about a change to the Medicare Part B premium unlike any that has occurred before.

For more information on this and other Medicare Part B issues, visit The Medicare Part B Benefit section of medicareadvocacy.org.

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Posted at 01:12 PM


Mon, Mar 06 2006

Medicare Minutes - March, 2006

This month we look at the Medicare Part D Exceptions process; what an exception is, when it is needed, and how to get it.

For more information on this process and other Part D appeals, see our recent Weekly Alert.

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Posted at 04:18 PM


Fri, Jan 20 2006

Medicare Minutes - January, 2006

This month we look at the start of Medicare's prescription drug benefit and what you can do if you experience any problems getting your medications.


For more details, see our recent Weekly Alert.

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Posted at 01:31 PM


Fri, Dec 09 2005

Medicare Minutes - December Edition

Tune in to learn about the resources available to help you choose a Medicare Part D plan, including the online tools available from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

If you haven't yet, check out the Medicare prescription drug plan finder at Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder.

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Posted at 10:37 AM


Tue, Nov 08 2005

Medicare Minutes - November Edition

Tune in to learn about selecting a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan that will start providing coverage for some prescription drugs on January 1, 2006. Listen and hear about some important factors to consider if you decide to enroll, including determining the amount of monthly premiums, learning about the plan’s formulary and arrangements with pharmacies.

If you haven't yet, check out our Medicare D-Coder for an easy translation of how Part D might affect you or someone you care about.

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Posted at 10:04 AM


Thu, Oct 06 2005

Medicare Minutes - October Edition

Tune in to learn about the out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare's upcoming prescription drug benefit (Part D) and the extra help available for people with low incomes to meet these costs.

In addition to this month's "Medicare Minutes" episode, check out our Medicare D-Coder for an easy translation of how Part D might affect you or someone you care about.

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Posted at 03:41 PM


Thu, Sep 01 2005

Medicare Minutes - September Edition

Tune in for some important things to know about Medicare Part D -- the upcoming Medicare Prescription Drug benefit which will start providing coverage for some prescription drugs on January 1, 2006.

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Posted at 05:21 PM




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