Gilead makes exclusive deal with CVS for hepatitis C drugs

(Bloomberg) — Gilead Sciences Inc. agreed to make its hepatitis C medicines the exclusive treatments for CVS Health Corp. customers, intensifying a drug-industry rivalry to win patients for the $1,000-a-day medicines.  Read the news story by clicking here.

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2015 Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles to remain the same as last two years

Premiums, copays and deductibles for other Medicare programs for 2015 also announced  Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell announced today that next year’s standard Medicare Part B monthly premium and deductible will remain the same as the last two years. Medicare Part B covers physicians’ services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, durable medical equipment, and other items.  For the approximately 49 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part B, premiums and deductibles will remain unchanged in 2015 at $104.90 and $147, respectively. This leaves more of seniors’ cost of living adjustment from Social Security in their pockets.

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Medicare: Medicare & You Online

Did you know? You can go paperless and get your Medicare and You Handbook Online!   As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.  

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Aetna: Small Group Medicare Plans Being Discontinued

Aetna Small Group Medicare Plans will be Discontinued January 1, 2015 Total Benefit Solutions Inc received the following notification from Aetna that they will be not be renewing Small Group Medicare plans effective January 1, 2015. We have included a link to the original notification as well as a brief summary below. Please click on the link for the complete announcement and disclaimers from Aetna. Click here to read the rest of the release    

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Amerihealth: Medicare PDP RX Plans Going Away

AmeriHealth® Medicare Rx PDP Non-Renewal  This week, AmeriHealth Medicare Rx PDP members will receive a non-renewal notice in the mail. Coverage will end for these members on December 31, 2014. This non-renewal applies only to AmeriHealth Option I and II stand-alone prescription drug plans. Members will need to enroll in another Medicare drug plan in order to get prescription drug coverage for 2015. AmeriHealth Rx PDP members will be given a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in a new prescription drug plan. Members can enroll in a new plan anytime from October 15, 2014 through February 28, 2015. If members do not choose a new plan during this time, they… Read More

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Medicare: Video-Parts of Medicare

  CMSHHSgov has uploaded Medicare & You: Different Parts Of Medicare :     As always, if you have any questions about Medicare health plans, please contact your Total Benefit Solutions account manager at (800)924-6718 or (215)355-2121.  

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Medicare: What are the STAR ratings?

Many of our clients ask us what the STAR ratings for each health plan really mean. Medicare.gov gives us the answer as: The Overall Star Rating combines scores for the types of services each plan offers: What is being measured? For plans covering health services, the overall score for quality of those services covers 36 different topics in 5 categories: Staying healthy: screenings, tests, and vaccines: Includes whether members got various screening tests, a yearly flu shot, and other check-ups that help them stay healthy. Managing chronic (long-term) conditions: Includes how often members with different conditions got certain tests and treatments that help them manage their condition. Member experience with the health plan: Includes… Read More

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United Healthcare: National Medicare Education Week

Do you find Medicare confusing? If so, you’re not alone. We recently conducted a survey1 that found that nearly 60 percent of Medicare beneficiaries described their understanding of Medicare as either “excellent” or “good,” but most were not able to correctly identify the health care expenses that each “part” of Medicare covers. And many said they found certain aspects of Medicare confusing. But, there’s some good news: Anyone can master Medicare with some help and education. That’s exactly why UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week (Sept. 15 – 21), an official week dedicated to Medicare education. National Medicare Education Week is meant to encourage people to spend time learning about… Read More

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