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Archive for May, 2009

Plane Crash Claims Arcadian’s Chairman and Founder, John H. Austin, MD

Posted in Arcadian on May 31, 2009 | 1 Comment »

We recently contracted with this company.  Dr. Austin was devoted to helping Medicare Beneficiaries.  He was very well respected within the industry and he will be missed.  Our condolences to his family and to his “family” at Arcadian. Here is the article.

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CMS Releases Standard Benefit Design for 2010 Part D Prescription Drug (PDP) Benefits

Posted in CMS, News on May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Here is the Standard 2010 PDP plan design versus 2009: Part D Benefit Parameters – Standard Benefit 2010 2009 Phase I Deductible $310 $295 Phase II Initial Coverage Limit $2,830 $2,700  Phase III Out-of-Pocket Threshold $4,550 $4,350  Phase IV Catestrophic Phase Greater of 5% or        Generic/Preferred $2.50 $2.40   Other $6.30 $6.00 Here [...]

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CMS File on Initial Commissions for Medicare Advantage Plans Released on April 27th Contains Errors; No Date Given on When CMS Will Issue Corrected Files

Posted in CMS, News on May 28, 2009 | 33 Comments »

6/16/09 UPDATE – See my most recent update here. . . June 8th, 2009 UPDATE:  I’ve now heard that CMS has pushed out the corrected reports.  I’ve updated that here. I’ve heard this enough places to determine that this isn’t just one carrier.  I think CMS messed up all of the carrier files and now [...]

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Medicare Premiums Expected To Rise For Many

Posted in News on May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

CQ Today reports that a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that “new Social Security recipients and upper-income seniors could face a steep increase in their monthly Medicare premiums for the next two years.” Also, “millions more will see their finances squeezed if their premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage go up during that [...]

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Government Players In US Healthcare Debate

Posted in News on May 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

U.S. lawmakers are beginning to craft legislation to overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, a top priority for President Barack Obama. Democrats, who control Congress, hope to pass a bill by the end of the year. Here are some major government and congressional players who may have a key role in shaping the reform legislation: [...]

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Listen to a Recorded Broadcast of Craig’s Presentation on “The Future of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap)”

Posted in About Ritter Insurance Marketing, CMS, Marketing MA Plans, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Quote Engine, Medicare Supplement, News, Website on May 28, 2009 | 2 Comments »

I made a similar presentation during five live sessions in PA.  I think I do a bit better live, but Webex’s have their advantages too as I’m better able to integrate the Web Based portions of the presentation. To summarize, I cover what an Independent Insurance Agent needs to know about MIPPA 2008, the 2010 [...]

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Medigap Modernization is Coming June 1st, 2010: Why I like the New Medicare Supplement Plan N

Posted in Medicare Supplement, Medigap Rate Changes/Introductions, News on May 28, 2009 | 4 Comments »

I know I’m a little early in talking about the new Medigap plans, but let me be the first to go out on a limb and say I like the new Plan N which is coming on June 1st, 2010.  The previous 4 new plans which were introduced with Cost Sharing have failed miserably, at least when [...]

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Mort Kondracke: Democrats Should Reform Medicare, Not Universalize it

Posted in News on May 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Somehow, I missed this, as it came out a couple weeks ago.  Mort Kondracke repeats a number of issues (which I’ve posted about on this blog) surrounding a Governmental Single-Payer Health Insurance System modeled after Original Medicare. Mort discusses how a Single Payor, by dictating fee schedules for Hospitals and Physicians which are 30% and 20%, respectively, [...]

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Los Angeles Times Reports, “Medicare Benefits May Change in 2010″

Posted in CMS, News on May 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »

Here is an article from the LA Times.  There are quotes in here from the Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy.  These organizations tend to be “pro-Original Medicare” and anti-Medicare Advantage.  More likely, they are advocating a single payer system.  There is also a quote from AHIP which is the Trade Association for [...]

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CMS Guidance On Scope Of Appointment Form

Posted in Aetna, Medicare Advantage on May 22, 2009 | 13 Comments »

Scope of Appointment documentation is required for ALL face-to-face marketing appointments with individual beneficiaries, regardless where the appointments take place.  Group sales presentations do not require the documentation because the scope of products that will be discussed should be indicated on all event advertising materials. The documentation must be in writing, in the form of [...]

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