Medicare Part D

Medica Expands Medicare Offerings for Medicare Beneficiaries in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
General Health, Hospitals, Health, Managed Care, Health Insurance, Medicare (United States), Medicare Part D, Prescription, Eye, Federation, Part, Health insurance, Medicare, Medica

Medica today announced it is expanding from eight to 55 the number of counties (nearly a 600 percent increase) its Medicare Advantage plans are available throughout Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Key Points: 
  • Medica today announced it is expanding from eight to 55 the number of counties (nearly a 600 percent increase) its Medicare Advantage plans are available throughout Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.
  • The plans, known as Medica Advantagesm and Medica Advantage Solution sm, will now be available in 48 counties in Nebraska (plus three border counties in Iowa), four counties in North Dakota and three counties in South Dakota.
  • Medicare Part D drug coverage is often included, although beneficiaries continue to pay for Medicare Part B in some plans.
  • Medica continues to offer Medicare Cost plan coverage in most of the other counties in Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Whistleblower Law Collaborative Sponsoring and Speaking at The Anti-Fraud Coalition 23rd Annual Conference

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 13, 2023
Linda, Post-election lawsuits related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Multimedia, Knowledge, Justice, Conference, Security (finance), Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education, Scourge, False Claims Act, FCA, Medicare Part D, WLC, Justice minister, Certified Paralegal, Council, Complaint, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Paralegal, TAF, Global Jurist of the Year Award, Part, Crossing the Bridge, Pharmaceutical industry, Fraud

BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Anti-Fraud Coalition (TAF Coalition) 23rd Annual Conference will be held October 18-20, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Whistleblower Law Collaborative (WLC) will once again be an active participant in the Conference both as a proud sponsor and with members speaking on important and timely topics.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Anti-Fraud Coalition (TAF Coalition) 23rd Annual Conference will be held October 18-20, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Whistleblower Law Collaborative (WLC) will once again be an active participant in the Conference both as a proud sponsor and with members speaking on important and timely topics.
  • Speaking at the TAF Coalition Conference will be Attorney Erica Blachman Hitchings , a member of TAF's President's Council and Government Relations Committee, Attorney Linda C. Severin , and Advanced Certified Paralegal, Kelly Shivery.
  • The panel is entitled, Every Case is a Part C Case Now: How Relators Can Help Stymie the Scourge of Fraud in the Medicare Advantage Space.
  • She and her fellow panelists will explore the recent case law developing around the Anti-Kickback Statute, particularly with respect to causation and damages.

CoverRight Releases Review of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Costs relative to Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Cost Plus Drugs, Health, Medicare, Medicare Part D, PBC, Doctor of Philosophy, Ageing, Prescription, Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, Plasma protein binding, Health insurance, Pharmaceutical industry

NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CoverRight, a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).

Key Points: 
  • CoverRight, a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CoverRight , a digital-first concierge platform designed to empower older adults and their families to easily learn about and navigate Medicare health insurance online is pleased to release a review comparing Medicare Part D drug costs to purchasing prescriptions through Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC (Cost Plus Drugs).
  • CoverRight is the first digital Medicare selection platform to integrate Cost Plus Drugs data into its platform, allowing consumers to compare and save on prescription drug costs.
  • This review builds upon CoverRight and Cost Plus Drugs' successful collaboration initiated in October 2022 to help Medicare beneficiaries save additionally on drug costs.

Alignment Healthcare Introduces Diverse 2024 Medicare Advantage Portfolio to Address Clinical and Social Needs of Seniors Today, from Part B Rebates to Special Benefits for Vulnerable Populations

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
Well, Podiatry, Acupuncture, Food, Medicare (United States), Diabetes, Pest control, Disability, HMO, Ageing, Foot, Medicare Part D, Dentures, Part, Social Security, Chiropractic, ACCESS, Alignment, Social, Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part B: Pavements, Hearing, OTC, Case management, LIS, Health, Transport, Health insurance, Nursing, Online shopping, Medicaid, Medicare

“More seniors are choosing Alignment because our clinical and member teams take great care to listen and respond to their changing needs,” said Dawn Maroney, president, markets of Alignment Healthcare, and CEO of Alignment Health Plan.

Key Points: 
  • “More seniors are choosing Alignment because our clinical and member teams take great care to listen and respond to their changing needs,” said Dawn Maroney, president, markets of Alignment Healthcare, and CEO of Alignment Health Plan.
  • “We are committed to always putting our seniors first and serving them.
  • With 12.9 million people jointly enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, Alignment continues to invest in products that support the unique needs of low-income seniors with disabilities or chronic conditions.
  • For members with qualifying conditions, Alignment is extending coverage of pest control and pet boarding, sitting and walking services to all plans in 2024.

Cigna Healthcare Expands 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans Offering Customers More Variety and Value

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 2, 2023
Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, CIGNA, DSNP, Hospital, Advance care planning, AEP, PPO, Pharmacy, Telephone, Life, HMO, Nye, Medicare Part D, TRICARE, Meal, PDP, Cigna, Anatomical pathology, Medicare, Dermatology, TTY, Hearing, Kool-Aid, Transport, Health, Medigap, Caregiver, Health insurance

Cigna Healthcare offers a $0 premium plan in every state we serve, ensuring that we can meet our customers' unique budgets, health and lifestyles."

Key Points: 
  • Cigna Healthcare offers a $0 premium plan in every state we serve, ensuring that we can meet our customers' unique budgets, health and lifestyles."
  • Supplemental options: Cigna Healthcare's Medicare Supplement plans are available in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Cigna also offers companion products for Medicare customers, such as standalone dental plans, and a combined plan including dental, vision, and hearing.
  • The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs.

CarePlus 2024 Affordable Medicare Advantage Options Include Expanded Dental Network Across Florida

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Seniors, Managed Care, General Health, Health, Hispanic, Health Insurance, Consumer, Dental, Medicaid, Daytona, HMO, Medicare Part D, Dentures, Part, Crown, Social Security, Medicare, Dentist, OTC, Health insurance, Dentistry

CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. , a recognized leader in healthcare delivery that has been offering Medicare Advantage health plans in Florida for over 23 years, announced that in 2024 the company is adding a new “dental allowance” benefit on many plans.

Key Points: 
  • CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. , a recognized leader in healthcare delivery that has been offering Medicare Advantage health plans in Florida for over 23 years, announced that in 2024 the company is adding a new “dental allowance” benefit on many plans.
  • In addition, the company’s 2024 Medicare Advantage plans for Floridians eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid will include help paying for living expenses, such as groceries, rent and utilities.
  • At the same time, members will enjoy expanded dental service thanks to our recent network expansion and trusted dental provider partners.”
    The CareNeeds Platinum (HMO D-SNP) plan adds a second CarePlus plan option for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid based on limited income.
  • Our Medicare Part B premium reduction benefit is on more than 60% of CarePlus plans for 2024.

UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Enhancements to Benefits that Matter Most to Members

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Insurance, Hospitals, Professional Services, Health Insurance, Practice Management, Other Health, Managed Care, General Health, Pharmaceutical, Health, X-ray, Medicare Advantage, Insulin, Pharmacy, Diabetes, Healthy food, AARP, Internet, Expanded access, Electricity, Prescription, Multimedia, Crown, Medicare Part D, Medicare, Dentist, UnitedHealth Group, Folate, Hearing, Water, Sildenafil, Home Delivery, Kool-Aid, OTC, Vitamin D, Medigap, Health insurance, Online shopping, Pharmaceutical industry, Medical device

Highlights of UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 Individual Medicare Advantage plans:

Key Points: 
  • Highlights of UnitedHealthcare’s 2024 Individual Medicare Advantage plans:
    UnitedHealthcare UCard® is the all-in-one access point for members to use their benefits and is integrated with UnitedHealthcare’s member website and mobile app.
  • Hearing & Vision: UnitedHealthcare standard Medicare Advantage plans cover more than 2,000 hearing aids and devices not covered by Original Medicare with new coverage for OTC devices added in 2024.
  • Coverage: All standard Medicare Advantage plans will offer $0 copays for: virtual visits, mammograms and colonoscopies and routine dental, vision and hearing exams.
  • As the only company to offer Medicare plans with the AARP name, and as the nation’s largest Medicare Advantage, D-SNP and Medicare Supplement carrier, UnitedHealthcare serves 1 in 5 Medicare beneficiaries, or over 13 million people, through a portfolio of products that include Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicare Supplement and retiree services.iii

Berger Montague Files an Antitrust Lawsuit Against Largest PBM CVS Caremark for Wrongfully Collected Medicare Part D Fees

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 29, 2023
Lawsuit, Insurance, Employment, CVS Caremark, Pharmacy, DIR, Health, Medicare Part D, Prescription, Lawyer, Complaint, Patient, PBM, Cohen & Gresser, CVS Health, Complex, Ridesharing, Health insurance, Medicare

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Complex litigation powerhouse Berger Montague announces that it filed a lawsuit against CVS Caremark LLC, the largest pharmacy benefit manager in the country, alleging that it wrongfully increased and collected Medicare Part D fees. The lawsuit was on behalf of Osterhaus Pharmacy seeking to represent a proposed class of independent pharmacies. It aims to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in wrongful pharmacy DIR fees.

Key Points: 
  • The lawsuit aims to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in wrongful pharmacy DIR fees.
  • The complaint alleges that CVS Caremark, a subsidiary of CVS Health, violated federal antitrust laws and state laws governing contracts by unlawfully purporting to use a loophole in Medicare regulations to impose fees on pharmacies called "DIR fees."
  • CVS Caremark uses the fees to force independent pharmacies to pay to provide certain "performance-related" services on unreasonable terms.
  • However, CVS Caremark, as the largest PBM, has used its size to force independent pharmacies to agree to do so.

Higher drug plan premiums may hit many Medicare beneficiaries in 2024

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Medicare Part D, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part, AEP, Health insurance

Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Based on early indicators, some Medicare beneficiaries may see double-digit increases in their prescription drug premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs in 2024, according to medicareresources.org .

Key Points: 
  • Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Based on early indicators, some Medicare beneficiaries may see double-digit increases in their prescription drug premiums and higher out-of-pocket costs in 2024, according to medicareresources.org .
  • Medicare open enrollment – also known as the Medicare annual election period (AEP) – begins Oct. 15 and closes Dec. 7.
  • It is the time when millions of Medicare enrollees can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa, and make changes to their Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (Part D).
  • This includes dropping or enrolling in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

Payback Time! Community Pharmacists Cheer Class Action Lawsuit Against PBMs to Recoup DIR Fees

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Cohen & Gresser, Aetna, Pharmacy, Capitol Hill, DIR, Caremark, Health, Medicare Part D, Human, Lawyer, Sale, Judgement, Medicare, PBM, Pharmacist, Community, AIDS, NCPA, CVS Caremark, CVS Health, Ridesharing, Practice of law, Health care

“Finally, community pharmacies have a chance to recover DIR fees that were unfairly taken.

Key Points: 
  • “Finally, community pharmacies have a chance to recover DIR fees that were unfairly taken.
  • That allows Caremark and the other PBMs to continue to treat pharmacies unfairly and illegally extract junk fees.
  • We’re thrilled that community pharmacists have a chance to recoup some of their money.”
    NCPA will be doing more than cheerleading for the lawsuit, said Hoey.
  • Community pharmacies are rooted in the communities where they are located and are among America’s most accessible health care providers.