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Medicare Prescription Drug Plans: Seniors Need Their Web-Savvy Boomer Children To Help Them Make an Informed Choice

The December 31st deadline to enroll or change Medicare Prescription Drug plans is fast approaching. Unfortunately, seniors are still confused. The solution lies with their Boomer children getting involved to compare plans by using the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov. Here's what Boomers need to know.

San Mateo, CA (PR Web) December 19, 2006 -- The first annual December 31st deadline for the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program is fast approaching. Unfortunately, the complexity of the program has many seniors still confused.

"The best solution is for web-savvy Boomers to help their parents by using the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder to systematically compare the 50 or so plan choices," says eldercare advisor Esther Koch who is also a Medicare Aging Network Partner with the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION BOOMERS NEED TO KNOW
Boomers first need to know exactly what type of healthcare coverage their parent has and whether it also includes prescription drug coverage. For seniors with an employer or union retiree health plan or a Medicare Advantage health plan, prescription drug coverage is likely to already be included. In these instances, there is probably nothing to do as long as the senior received notification that the drug coverage is 'creditable' coverage.

It is important to understand that there are two types of  Medicare drug plans: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (commonly referred to as 'stand alone' plans) and Medicare Advantage Plans. "The seniors that really need to review plans annually are those who have 'stand alone' Prescription Drug Plans," says Koch.

"The goal is to select a Prescription Drug Plan whose formulary covers all of a senior's drug needs," Koch points out. Since it is likely that a senior's drugs plus the plan's formulary, tier structure and pricing will change annually, that may not be the same plan each year.

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN FINDER
Koch stresses, "The primary web-based tool is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov." By entering their parent's zip code and drug names, dosage and 30-day supply, Boomers will obtain a prioritized list of their parent's plan options. They can even save their work and return to it.

Plan options will be sorted from least expensive to most expensive plan based on total estimated annual costs including premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Total costs vary widely by plan. Koch emphasizes, "Think of this as getting a list of the total cost of all of your holiday gifts if the same gifts were purchased from some 50 different retailers. You should be most interested in the least expensive plans."

In addition, Koch continues, "It is the total estimated annual cost that is most important, not just the amount of the monthly premium or whether donut hole coverage is included."

The five least expensive plans will show up initially. "You can show all plans, do side-by-side comparisons of up to 3 plans at a time, and drill down to more detailed information. Once you have analyzed options and decided on a plan, it is best to go to the plan's website to enroll," Koch points out.

SENIORS WITH LIMITED INCOME AND RESOURCES
Special rules apply to seniors with limited income and resources. These rules are very detailed so the best sources of assistance are:

- Your parent's State Health Insurance Assistance Program at http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/static/allStateContacts.asp
- Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov and 1-800-772-1213; and
- Medicare at www.medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE.

CONCLUSION
Koch concludes, "This is an opportunity for Boomers to be there for their parents. They need you!"

For more information on Medicare Rx and how to use the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder visit the Encore Management website at www.encoremgmt.com under the Medicare Rx tab.

ABOUT ESTHER KOCH
Esther Koch is a gerontologist and eldercare advisor. Her firm, Encore Management, provides personal and corporate advisory services and seminars to assist Boomers with the range of issues associated with caring for an aging parent and their own aging. Her media interviews and articles have appeared on television, radio and in print.

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Press Contact: Rini Browning
Company Name: Encore Management
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 562-833-7764
Website: www.encoremgmt.com

# posted by (hris @ 7:19 AM 0 comments

$450 Million Dollar Medical Supply Lawsuit Returned to Missouri State Court

Samuel Lipari wins remand order following an untimely removal of state contract claims that exposed Health Care Corruption

Independence, MO (PRWeb) December 12, 2006 -- Medical Supply Chain founder Samuel Lipari's lawsuit for $450 million dollars in damages over a contract with General Electric (GE) to finance the Independence Missouri firm's entry into the hospital supply market in June 2003 was returned to Jackson County 16th Circuit Court at Independence by the US District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The GE defendants attempted to remove the case to US District Court on July 17, 2006 after General Electric lost a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on May 31, 2006 and failed to attend two Jackson County Circuit Court hearings or participate in court ordered mediation since the lawsuit was filed March 22, 2006. The lawsuit is Lipari v General Electric, et al, Case # 0616-CV07421

United States District Judge Hon. Fernando J. Gaitan, Jr. ordered the lawsuit remanded back to Jackson County 16th Circuit Court of the State of Missouri on November 29, 2006 because the federal court lacked jurisdiction.

The lawsuit defendants General Electric Company, General Electric Capital Business Asset Funding Corporation and GE Transportation System Global Signaling, LLC are represented by the St. Louis, Missouri law firm Husch & Eppenberger, LLC through their Kansas City, Missouri attorney John K. Power. John K. Power, Husch & Eppenberger, LLC 1200 Main Street Suite 2300 Kansas City, MO 64105, (816) 283-4651.

Samuel Lipari is the founder of Medical Supply Chain and is currently launching a consumer oriented discount medical supply business based in Independence, Missouri: http://MedicalSupplyLine.com Mr. Lipari is representing himself in the lawsuit.

About Medical Supply Chain:
Medical Supply Chain (MSC) is a worldwide provider of web-based supply chain collaboration solutions with an electronic marketplace serving health care communities and their trading partners. Medical Supply Chain was founded in May of 2000 with a mission to deliver enabling supply chain technology in health care. To learn more visit: http://www.MedicalSupplyChain.com


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Press Contact: SAMUEL LIPARI
Company Name: Medical Supply Chain
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 816-365-1306
Website: www.MedicalSupplyChain.com

# posted by (hris @ 11:12 AM 0 comments

Tibetan Medicine at Forefront in Treatment of Potentially Life Threatening Peripheral Arterial Disease EconNugenics Announces Published Meta-Analysis Attesting to its Efficacy

Exciting news in natural health. Padma Basic, a Tibetan formula is an effective and safe formulation for dealing with the potentially life-threatening condition called peripheral arterial disease. A meta-analysis published in November editon of Atheroscleros determined its efficacy and safety. Log onto www.econugenics.com for more information.

Santa Rosa, CA (PRWeb) December 2, 2006 -- EcoNugenics, an integrative health and dietary supplement company announced today that Padma Basic®, a botanical Tibetan formula is as effective as FDA approved medication for the treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). A published meta-analysis in the November issue of the official journal of the European Atherosclerosis Society, Atherosclerosis attests to its efficacy and safety.

The scientist reviewers at the Department of Internal Medicine, Complementary Medicine at University Hospital in Zurich, concluded. "A total of nineteen trials have reported on 2084 patients to date, 444 of which were in six controlled clinical studies on PAD. The safety profile appears to be favorable and available evidence shows that Padma Basic® (European trade name Padma 28) provides significant relief from PAD related symptoms (i.e. walking distance) of a similar order of magnitude as other employed medications."

"This is excellent news for PAD patients," said Isaac Eliaz, MD and founder of EcoNugenics. "This meta-analysis provides the evidence that Padma Basic has met the quality and performance required by Western Medicine. A safe and effective treatment for PAD will dramatically improve the lives of the millions of PAD patients."

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a serious circulatory condition involving blood vessels in areas outside of the heart, most often in the legs. Current FDA approved drugs have shown some limited benefit in treating PAD, but often the side effects of these drugs make such treatment undesirable. The condition involves the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, preventing sufficient blood flow to the affected area. PAD increases the risk of heart attack and/or stroke.

According to research published by the Sage Group, there is an overwhelming lack of awareness of PAD, which afflicts 14-18 million Americans, compared to coronary artery disease and diabetes afflicting 12.7 and 17 million respectively.

Padma Basic® has been used in Europe since the 1960s for the symptomatic treatment of circulatory disorders, including those of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It has over 30 years of published research and has demonstrated a consistent ability to 1) support and improve healthy circulation; 2) regulate the inflammatory response; and 3) support immune system. It is a highly researched herbal supplement consisting of 19 dried and milled herbs, botanicals and spices, together with natural camphor and calcium sulfate. Padma Basic® is derived from a centuries old natural traditional Tibetan herbal formula. This supplement is available online from EcoNugenics (www.econugenics.com) or by calling 1-800-308-5518.

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Press Contact: CONSTANCE ST. JOHN
Company Name: EcoNugenics
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 4154542243
Website: www.econugenics.com

# posted by (hris @ 9:09 AM 0 comments