A recent study by the Journal of the American Geriatrics found that one-third of Medicare beneficiaries were either unfamiliar or very unfamiliar with the program's benefits.  These rates were particularly high among minorities and low-income households.

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On September 18th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched a new program, Ask Medicare, to provide family caregivers healthcare information, services, and resources. The website includes links for information on Medicare basics, financial assistance, and community resources. Caregivers can also sign up for an e-newsletter, alerting them to new caregiving services and programs.

Click here to read the press release.

Click here to visit the new website.

Through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has formed the Medicaid Integrity Group.  This new initiative will ensure that Medicaid claims are for services that were properly documented, billed properly using the appropriate procedure codes, covered by Medicaid, and appropriately reimbursed according to State polices, rules or regulations.

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Women In Government today issued policy recommendations on the current state of heart disease prevention in America. The policy recommendations were updated after reconvening the Heart Disease Task Force for a day and a half meeting that brought together national experts on issues including the current state of heart disease prevention in America, state programs and policies working to prevent heart disease, racial and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease, prevention services for seniors, and gender considerations and barriers in diagnosing and treating heart disease among women.

Read the Press Release.

Read the Task Force Recommendations.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found that patients who are accompanied to their medical visists are more satisfied with their healthcare compared to those who are not accompanied. 

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