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Senators: Extend Part D Enrollment Deadline…

New Jersey’s two U.S. senators on Monday called for the federal government to extend the May 15 deadline for senior citizens to enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug program, commonly called “Part D.”

Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, both Democrat, said many senior citizens remain confused about the program and different prescription plans. In New Jersey, there are 19 providers offering 45 different prescription drug plans, the senators said.

Complete NorthJersey.com Story

2007 MA/MAPD Call Letter

CMS has released the 2007 MA/MAPD Call letter.  Download it here.

Payment Increases to Medicare Advantage Plans Lower

CMS on Monday said that reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage plans in 2007 will increase by only about 1.1% on average, rather than 4% as scheduled, because of a technical adjustment of how physicians code beneficiaries for billing, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to CQ HealthBeat, past small increases in reimbursement rates have led to decreases in benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage plans in most cases offer more benefits than traditional Medicare because of higher reimbursement rate increases established under the 2003 Medicare law, in addition to separate subsidies from the federal government for plans that provide prescription drug coverage.

Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, said, “No member of Congress will be able to conclude that plans are overpaid next year.”