Here is a copy of the letter. If you would like to send a message to your Congressional Representative regarding this issue, click here to access the NAHU website’s Legislative Action Center. NOTE: The Senate is slated to decide on this by Wednesday. The House has already approved the use of Budget Reconciliation for passing [...]
Archive for April, 2009
NAHU, NAIFA, AHIA and other Insurance Agent Trade Associations Send Letter to Congress Regarding the Use of Budget Reconciliation for Passing Health Care Reform
Posted in News on April 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Update on Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)
Posted in Uncategorized on April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
About a month ago, I blogged a piece about a new concept which is gaining popularity in the Medicare reform debate called Accountable Care Organizations or ACO’s. You can find that posting here. Here is a quick update from the Commonwealth Fund website (which was originally from the Congressional Quarterly). This article talks about an [...]
Pittsburgh Health Systems In Antitrust Battle
Posted in News on April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Dan Nephin of the Associated Press reports that a hospital network is suing its much larger competitor, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and the region’s dominant health insurer, claiming they are conspiring to put UPMC’s competitors out of business through an illegal monopoly. Click to read complete article.
White House Seeks “Reconciliation” Budget Language to Include Health Care Reform
Posted in News on April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Basically, by using reconciliation, the White House and Congress can pass Health Care Reform measures (like the creation of a Governmental Health Insurance Exchange) requiring a filabuster proof majority. This is slated to be decided upon by April 29th, which marks President Obama’s 100th day in office. Here is the story from the Politico.
Pharmacy costs down as consumers choose generics
Posted in News on April 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This article is from the Insurance and Financial Advisor in regards to Consumers choosing more Generic versus Brand name drugs. The article cites “Consumer Driven” healthcare (Like high-deductible HSA accounts) as a primary driver as Consumers become more aware of costs of Brand name versus Generic alternatives. Here is the full article.
Medicare To Play Big Role In Health Care Overhaul
Posted in News on April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Washington Post — Older Americans could see big changes in Medicare as a result of a health care overhaul, lawmakers and experts said Tuesday as Congress began working on the sweeping legislation. Click to read complete article.
The Future of Medicare Webcast scheduled for May 27th at 2pm ET
Posted in About Ritter Insurance Marketing on April 21, 2009 | 5 Comments »
4/28/2009 EDITOR’S NOTE: The 2pm session has filled. We scheduled a second session at 4pm EDT on May 27th which has capacity for an additional 100 agents. There has been a lot of news to digest in the past 6 months in the Medicare Advantage market. I must admit that the last 6 months have [...]
Send your Congressional Representative a Message about the Creation of Government-run Public Health Plan Options
Posted in News, Uncategorized on April 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This is from NAHU: Dear NAHU Members, As Congress discusses comprehensive health care reform, one of the ideas under debate that is most concerning to NAHU is the possibility of a public health plan option to be offered as an alternative to, or in competition with, private-market health plan offerings. As Congress returns from [...]
Commentary on 2010 Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans
Posted in CMS on April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
10/6/09 Editor’s Note: 2010 Medicare Advantage and Part D Availability and Premium Data now available for ALL ZIP CODES in United States on Medicare Quote Engine! Here are two articles which I found interesting. I’m trying to get a good estimate on what the changes in Capitation rates would mean to Medicare Advantage members and [...]
CMS is Scheduled to Release Files to Medicare Advantage Plans to Allow the Plans to pay the Second Half of Insurance Agent’s “Initial Commissions” on April 28th, 2009
Posted in CMS on April 19, 2009 | 137 Comments »
6/16/09 UPDATE – See my most recent update here. . . 5/28/09 – UPDATE: See my latest blog post here. . .the saga continues, unfortunately. 5/5/09 – UPDATE: I’ve seen the letter from CMS dated 4/29 which advises the companies that they would be able to download the report on “New to Medicare” and “New [...]
