Medicare's Drug Plans Are Predicted To Increase Dramatically!

Seniors beware! Today in Kaiser Health News, it has been forecast that millions of  Medicare drug plans are suppose to double their current premium cost in the coming up year or so .

The new changes that will be made to  Medicare drug plans will be premiums increasing by 10 percent on the top plans (AARP's MedicareRX Preferred, Humana Enhanced Plan and etc.,), which are used by 70 percent of the senior population.  It has been predicted on Oct, 1, 2010 seniors will be able to witness the biggest monetary changes of their current Medicare drug plan benefits since it first became available in 2006.  For more information please visit : http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gD01qKtv_G4uYY1cffFO-KWYRHYwD9IDRNIG0

Therefore seniors, please make sure to pay very close attention to your formulary benefits.  If the additional cost becomes burdensome, please look into contacting these organizations for assistance if you live in the New York City area:

1. Elderly Pharmaceutical insurace Coverage Progam (call 311 for more information)

2. RX HOPE

3. Partnership for Prescription Assistance

4. Benefits Check Up

5. NeedyMeds.com

6. National Association of Boards of Pharmacies (NABP)

7. National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD)

BE AWARE: Health Care Credit Card Scams!

This morning I found a very interesting and disturbing article featured on Kasier Health's website "Regulators Probe Allegations Of Fraud In Health Credit Cards" by Michelle Andrews.  This article shedded light on  people especially seniors/retirees are getting coned into getting credit cards at their health care offices to assist with costly medical bills. However, the irony is that patients are paying double sometimes triple the amount they actually owe the medical institution do to faulty billing.  Currently, New York Attonrey General Andrew M. Cuomo is constructing an investigation into the health-care lending industry based on hundreds of complaints received from people getting credit cards for medical treatment.

Just Say No To Health Care Credit Cards!

To read more on this article visit this link: http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Features/Insuring-Your-Health/health-credit-cards.aspx
  http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Features/Insuring-Your-Health/health-credit-cards.aspx

The Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator is a very beneficial website for both seniors and their caregivers.  This site is a public service of the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides essential information on senior services nationwide. 

Created in 1991, the Eldercare Locator connects folks who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. It extends from older individuals needing help with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, this site points people in the right direction.

Call the Eldercare Locator toll-free at 1-800-677-1116.

For calls after normal hours of operation:
After hours, a message recorder is available for the caller to leave a name and telephone number.  Calls will be returned the next business day.

For TDD/TTY Services:
Access your local relay service or dial "711" for your relay operator.  Instruct the Relay Operator to connect you to the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

For non-English or Limited English Speakers:
Full language line service for 150 languages is available when you call the Eldercare Locator.