Medicare Update

Hello Everyone,

Please enjoy the information contained in this edition of Frontier Focus. Please be sure to share it with your members, colleagues, providers and office billing staff. Thank you for your continued efforts to broadcast Medicare information to the providers in Region VIII.





Table of Contents



1. Message from CMS: Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program Information



2. Thirty-Three Electronic Health Record (EHR) Products Certified



3. Two Final Awardees for the Regional Extension Center (REC) Program



4. Personal Health Records — Understanding the Evolving Landscape (December 3)



5. 2009 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Update



6. Special Open-Door Forum: Medicare Provider & Supplier Enrollment – Pharmacy Focused (Wed Oct 13)



7. Updates from the Medicare Learning Network



8. Medicare Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol



9. October Flu Shot Reminder



10. Clinician Outreach and Communication Activities (COCA) from the Centers for Disease Control



11. A new "twist" in the law makes it easier to save on your prescription drug costs.











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1. Message from CMS: Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program Information



Incentive payments totaling as much as $27 billion may be made under the Medicare & Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs beginning in 2011. Are you eligible for an incentive? How much can an eligible professional earn? What are the key dates for these programs?



Learn more on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services EHR Incentive Programs website!



Tip Sheets for Eligible Professionals:



· UPDATED: Medicare EHR Incentive Programs, PQRI, and E-Prescribing Comparison

Learn what opportunities are available to Medicare Eligible Professionals to receive incentive payments for participating in important Medicare initiatives. This fact sheet provides information on eligibility, timeframes, and maximum payments for each program.



· UPDATED: Flow Chart – Determine Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs

Unsure if you are eligible to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Use this handy flow chart to find out!



· Medicare EHR Incentive Payments for Eligible Professionals

Which types of individual practitioners can participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program? This easy tip sheet provides information about incentive payment amounts and describes how payments are calculated for fee for service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage providers. It also describes payment adjustments beginning in 2015 for Eligible Professionals who are not meaningful users of certified EHR technology.





For the 3 tip sheets above, go to http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms. Select the “Medicare Eligible Professional” tab on the left, and then scroll to “Downloads.”



· NEW: Medicaid EHR Incentive Payments for Eligible Professionals

Which types of individual practitioners can participate in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program? Learn about Medicaid patient volume requirements, payment amounts, and the timeframes for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.



Go to http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms. Select the “Medicaid Eligible Professional” tab on the left, and then scroll to “Downloads.”





Important Dates:



· NEW: EHR Incentive Program Timeline



Find it at http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms in the “Downloads” section of the “Overview” tab.





Electronic Health Record Incentives – Get the Facts from CMS.

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2. Thirty-Three Electronic Health Record (EHR) Products Certified



The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®) announced today that it has tested and certified 33 Electronic Health Record (EHR) products under the Commission’s ONC-ATCB program, which certifies that the EHRs are capable of meeting the 2011/2012 criteria supporting Stage 1 meaningful use as approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Certification is required to qualify eligible providers and hospitals for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The certifications include 19 Complete EHRs, which meet all of the 2011/2012 criteria for either eligible provider or hospital technology, and 14 EHR Modules, which meet one or more – but not all – of the criteria.



More news….. http://www.cchit.org/media/news/2010/10/commission-announces-first-onc-atcb-20112012-certifications

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3. Two Final Awardees for the Regional Extension Center (REC) Program



The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced today the selection of two final awardees for the Regional Extension Center (REC) program:

CalOptima Foundation, covering Orange County, California ($4,662,426)
Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative, covering the state of New Hampshire ($5,105,495)
ONC also announced expanded coverage areas for two existing RECs in Florida:

Community Health Centers Alliances will cover additional areas in Glades and Hendry counties
Health Choice Network of Florida will cover additional areas in Indian River, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties
These additional awards complete a nationwide system of RECs that will help providers move from paper-based medical records to electronic health records (EHRs).

For more information about the awards and a complete listing of RECs, visit http://www.HealthIT.hhs.gov/programs/REC/.



Learn more about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs at www.cms.gov/EHRincentiveprograms

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4. Personal Health Records — Understanding the Evolving Landscape (December 3)



On Friday, December 3, the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) will host a free day-long public roundtable on "Personal Health Records — Understanding the Evolving Landscape." The roundtable is designed to inform ONC’s Congressionally mandated report on privacy and security requirements for non-Covered Entities (non-CEs), with a focus on personal health records (PHRs) and related service providers (Section 13424 of the HITECH Act) .



The roundtable will include four panels of prominent researchers, legal scholars, and representatives of consumer, patient, and industry organizations. It will address the current state and evolving nature of PHRs and related technologies (including mobile technologies and social networking), consumer and industry expectations and attitudes toward privacy and security practices, and the pros and cons of different approaches to the requirements that should apply to non-CE PHRs and related technologies.



Mark your calendars now—registration and additional conference information will be available in October at http://healthit.hhs.gov/PHRroundtable

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5. 2009 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Update



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that incentive payments for the 2009 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program are being made to eligible professionals who met the criteria for successful reporting. The 2009 eRx incentive payments are currently being processed and distributed by Carriers and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs). Distribution of the 2009 eRx incentive payments are scheduled to be completed by October 22, 2010.



E-prescribing incentives earned by individual participating physicians and other eligible professionals are paid as a lump-sum to the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) under which the EP’s claims were submitted. It is then up to the TIN to decide how to distribute the incentive within the practice.



Effective January 2010, CMS revised the manner in which incentive payment information is communicated to eligible professionals receiving electronic remittance advices. CMS has instructed Medicare contractors to use a new indicator of LE to indicate incentive payments instead of LS. LE will appear on the electronic remittance advice. Additionally the paper remittance advice will read “This is an eRx incentive payment.” It will not include the year and indicator LE in the paper remittance. In an effort to further clarify the type of incentive payment issued (either PQRI or eRx incentive), CMS created a 4-digit code to indicate the type of incentive and reporting year. For the 2009 eRx incentive payments, the 4-digit code is RX09. This code will be displayed on the electronic remittance advice along with the LE indicator. For example, eligible professionals will see LE to indicate an incentive payment, along with RX09 to identify that payment as the 2009 eRx incentive payment.



2009 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Feedback Reports: The 2009 eRx feedback reports will be available on the Physician and Other Health Care Professionals Quality Reporting Portal at http://www.qualitynet.org/pqri on the internet, starting the second week of November. TIN-level reports on the Portal require an Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) account. Participants may also contact their Carrier or MAC to request individual NPI-level reports via an alternate feedback report fulfillment process, please visit http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0922.pdf on the CMS website.



If you have questions about the status of your eRx incentive payment (during the distribution timeframe), please contact your Provider Contact Center. The Contact Center Directory is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/Downloads/CallCenterTollNumDirectory.zip on the CMS website.



Feel free to contact the QualityNet Help Desk with any of the following:

§ Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Portal password issues

§ PQRI/eRx feedback report availability and access

§ PQRI-IACS registration questions

§ PQRI-IACS login issues



The QualityNet Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 7am-7pm CST at 866-288-8912 or via qnetsupport@sdps.org on the internet. The QualityNet Help Desk is also available to assist with PQRI and eRx measure-specific questions.

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6. Special Open-Door Forum: Medicare Provider & Supplier Enrollment – Pharmacy Focused (Wed Oct 13)



Wed Oct 13, 3:30-5pm ET (rescheduled from Tue Sep 28)

Conference Call Only



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss Medicare supplier enrollment issues. During this call, CMS staff will discuss:

§ Review how CMS plans to implement Section 3109 of the Affordable Care Act for pharmacies;

§ Review the recent instructions given to our contractor;

§ Answer questions related to those pharmacies who voluntarily disenrolled last year; and

§ Next steps required by the pharmacy.



Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions. We look forward to your participation.



Open Door Forum Instructions:

§ Capacity is limited so dial in early. You may begin dialing into this Forum as early as 3:15pm ET.

§ Dial: 1-800-837-1935

§ Reference Conference ID 98955726

§ Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.



An audio recording and transcript of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special ODF website at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading on or around Fri Oct 22 and available for 30 days.



For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates (E-Mailing list subscriptions) and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at: http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums.

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7. Updates from the Medicare Learning Network



Special Edition MLN Matters Article #SE1029: 5010 Requirement for Ambulance Services





Effective for claims submitted in the version 5010 837P electronic claim format on and after January 1, 2011, ambulance suppliers will have three options for complying with the new diagnosis reporting requirement. The Medicare Learning Network® (MLN) has released Special Edition MLN Matters Article #SE1029 to advise ambulance suppliers how to submit their claims electronically in light of this new requirement. This article is information in nature and supports existing policy. For more details, please read the article at http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1029.pdf on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website.



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“What’s New for the 2010 eRx Incentive Program” Fact Sheet



The 2010 Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (E-Prescribing) Fact Sheet “What’s New for the 2010 eRx Incentive Program” (revised July 2010) is now available in hardcopy and downloadable format from the Medicare Learning Network®. This resource provides an overview of the 2010 E-Prescribing Incentive Program, as well as highlighted changes from the 2009 E-Prescribing program. To order your copy, free of charge, please visit the MLN Products page at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/01_Overview.asp on the Internet. From this page, scroll down to the “Related Links Inside CMS” section and select the “MLN Product Ordering Page” link. To view the online version, please visit http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Whats_New_2010_eRx_Fact_Sheet.pdf

on the Internet.



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Special Edition MLN Matters Articles regarding Recovery Audit Contractor Demonstration-Identified Vulnerabilities



The Medicare Learning Network® (MLN) has released the next in a series of Special Edition MLN Matters articles designed to educate providers about Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) demonstration-identified vulnerabilities. With the expansion of the RAC Program and the initiation of complex coding review in all four RAC regions, it is essential that providers understand the lessons learned from the demonstration and implement appropriate corrective actions. These two new articles are informational in nature and support existing policy:

§ MLN Matters Article #SE1027, entitled “RAC Demonstration High-Risk Medical Necessity Vulnerabilities for Inpatient Hospitals,” advises inpatient hospitals about 17 RAC demonstration-identified medical necessity vulnerabilities, and is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1027.pdf on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) website.

MLN Matters Article #SE1028, entitled “RAC Demonstration High-Risk Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) Coding Vulnerabilities for Inpatient Hospitals,” provides information about four RAC demonstration-identified inpatient hospital coding vulnerabilities, and is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE1028.pdf on the CMS website.



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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month



The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is asking the provider community to keep their patients with Medicare healthy by encouraging them to take advantage of Medicare-covered screening mammograms and other preventive services covered by Medicare. Medicare provides coverage for an annual screening mammogram for all female beneficiaries age 40 or older. Medicare also provides coverage for one baseline mammogram for female beneficiaries between the ages of 35 and 39.



What Can You Do? As a health care professional who provides care to patients with Medicare, you can help protect the health of your Medicare patients by encouraging them to take advantage of Medicare-covered screenings, including screening mammograms that are appropriate for them.



For More Information: CMS has developed several educational products related to Medicare-covered screening mammograms. They are all available, free of charge, from the Medicare Learning Network®:

§ The MLN Preventive Services Educational Products Web Page – provides descriptions and ordering information for Medicare Learning Network® (MLN) educational products for health care professionals related to Medicare-covered preventive services, including screening mammograms. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/35_PreventiveServices.asp

§ The Guide to Medicare Preventive Services for Physicians, Providers, Suppliers, and Other Health Care Professionals – provides coverage and coding information on Medicare-covered preventive services and screenings, including screening mammograms. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/mps_guide_web-061305.pdf

§ Quick Reference Information: Medicare Preventive Services – this chart provides coverage and coding information on Medicare-covered preventive services, including screening mammograms. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MPS_QuickReferenceChart_1.pdf

§ The Medicare Preventive Services Series: Part 3 Web-Based-Training (WBT) course – this WBT includes lessons on coverage, coding, and billing for Medicare-covered preventive services, including screening mammograms. To access the course, please visit the MLN home page at http://www.cms.gov/mlngeninfo on the internet. Scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and click on “Web Based Training (WBT) Modules.”

§ The Cancer Screenings brochure – this brochure provides information on coverage for Medicare-covered cancer screenings, including screening mammograms. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/cancer_screening.pdf



Please visit the Medicare Learning Network at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo for more information on these and other Medicare fee-for-service educational products. For more information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit the official website at http://www.nbcam.org on the internet.



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New Enrollment Fact Sheets from the Medicare Learning Network



If you are a Fee-For-Service (FFS) provider or supplier who is currently enrolled or required to enroll in the Medicare Program, the Medicare Learning Network® (MLN) can help you understand and follow the Medicare enrollment process! The MLN has released the next in a series of fact sheets designed to educate FFS providers about important Medicare enrollment information, including how to use Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to enroll in the Medicare Program and maintain your enrollment information. These fact sheets are available in downloadable format on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website at the URLs listed below.



The Basics of Medicare Enrollment for Physicians Who Infrequently Receive Medicare Reimbursement

Provides general Medicare enrollment information to those physicians who are required to enroll in Medicare for the sole purpose of certifying or ordering services for Medicare beneficiaries and therefore, are not required to send claims to Medicare contractors for the services they furnish. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_Phys_Infreq_Reimb_FactSheet_ICN006881.pdf on the CMS website.



The Basics of Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) for Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners

Advises physicians and non-physician practitioners on how to enroll in the Medicare Program and maintain their enrollment information using Internet-based PECOS. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_PECOS_PhysNonPhys_FactSheet_ICN903764.pdf on the CMS website.



Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) Contact Information

Provides contact information for technical assistance with Internet-based PECOS. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_PECOS_Contact_FactSheet_ICN903766.pdf on the CMS website.



The Basics of Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) for Provider and Supplier Organizations

Advises provider and supplier organizations on how to enroll in the Medicare Program and maintain their enrollment information using Internet-based PECOS. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_PECOS_ProviderSup_FactSheet_ICN903767.pdf on the CMS website.



The Basics of Medicare Enrollment for Physicians and Other Part B Suppliers

Explains general Medicare enrollment information specific to physicians and other Part B suppliers, except Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_PhysOther_FactSheet_ICN903768.pdf on the CMS website.



The Basics of Medicare Enrollment for Institutional Providers

Provides general Medicare enrollment information specific to institutional providers, such as community mental health centers (CMHCs), home health agencies (HHAs), hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and hospices. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_InstProv_FactSheet_ICN903783.pdf on the CMS website.



The Basics of Internet-based PECOS for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Suppliers

Educates DMEPOS suppliers on how to enroll in the Medicare Program and maintain their enrollment information using Internet-based PECOS. This fact sheet is available at http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_PECOS_DMEPOS_FactSheet_ICN904283.pdf on the CMS website.



In addition, the Medicare Learning Network previously released two fact sheets concerning privacy and protection of Medicare enrollment records that may also be of interest:



Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners: Protecting Your Privacy - Protecting Your Medicare Enrollment Record

Advises Fee-For-Service (FFS) physicians and non-physician practitioners on how to ensure their enrollment records are up-to-date and secure. This fact sheet is available at

http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnrollPrivcy_FactSheet_ICN903765.pdf

on the CMS website.



How to Protect Your Identity Using the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)

Provides step-by-step instructions to help FFS providers protect their identity while using Internet-based PECOS. This fact sheet is available at

http://www.cms.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/MedEnroll_ProtID_FactSheet_ICN905103.pdf

on the CMS website.

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8. Medicare Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol



Section 6409(a) of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ACA requires the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, in cooperation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, to establish a Medicare self-referral disclosure protocol (“SRDP”) that sets forth a process to enable providers of services and suppliers to self-disclose actual or potential violations of Section 1877 of the Social Security Act (the Act).



The SRDP requires health care providers of services or suppliers to submit all information necessary for CMS, on behalf of the Secretary, to analyze the actual or potential violation of Section 1877 of the Act. Section 6409(b) of the ACA, gives the Secretary of HHS the authority to reduce the amount due and owing for violations of Section 1877. The SRDP is located on the CMS website at http://www.cms.gov/PhysicianSelfReferral.

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9. October Flu Shot Reminder



Vaccination is the Best Protection Against the Flu. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. The risks for complications, hospitalizations and deaths from the flu are higher among individuals aged 65 years and older. Medicare pays for the seasonal flu vaccine and its administration for seniors and others with Medicare with no co-pay or deductible. And remember, vaccination is particularly important for health care workers, who may spread the flu to high risk patients. Don’t forget to immunize yourself and your staff. Protect your patients. Protect your family. Protect yourself. Get Your Flu Vaccine - Not the Flu.



Remember – Influenza vaccine plus its administration are covered Part B benefits. Note that influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered drug. For information about Medicare’s coverage of the influenza vaccine and its administration, as well as related educational resources for health care professionals and their staff, please visit http://www.cms.gov/AdultImmunizations.

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10. Clinician Outreach and Communication Activities (COCA) from the Centers for Disease Control



2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Update: What’s Coming Ashore from the Oil Spill
This page has information about what light crude oil does when it reaches shore: http://emergency.cdc.gov/gulfoilspill2010/coming_ashore.asp. For more information and additional Healthcare Professionals resources visit: http://emergency.cdc.gov/gulfoilspill2010/health_professionals.asp.



H1N1 & Seasonal Influenza Resources: Influenza 2010-2011: ACIP Vaccination Recommendations
In this podcast targeted to clinicians, Dr. Joe Bresee discusses who should be vaccinated against flu this year, explains who is at risk for severe illness, and discusses the benefits of vaccination. http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp

H1N1 & Seasonal Influenza Resources: Guidelines and Recommendations: Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings
This guidance supersedes previous CDC guidance for both seasonal influenza and the Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, which was written to apply uniquely to the special circumstances of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic as they existed in October 2009. As stated in that document, CDC planned to update the guidance as new information became available. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/healthcaresettings.htm

H1N1 & Seasonal Influenza Resources: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Safety: A Summary for Clinicians
Seasonal influenza vaccination is the most important way of preventing seasonal influenza virus infections and potentially severe complications, including death. Seasonal influenza vaccination reduces the likelihood of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting influenza to others. The 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine protects against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused widespread illness last season. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm

Emergency Preparedness & Response: 2010 Report: Public Health Preparedness: Strengthening the Nation’s Emergency Response State by State
A report on CDC-funded preparedness and response activities in 50 states, 4 cities, and 8 U.S. insular areas. http://emergency.cdc.gov/publications/2010phprep

Emergency Preparedness & Response: BARDA funds medical countermeasure innovation
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) announced the first eight contract awards under an initiative to help modernize and improve the nation’s infrastructure for producing medical countermeasures that protect against natural and man-made biological threats. The contracts help advance innovative tools and techniques that reduce the time and cost of development, testing, and production of medical countermeasures and that improve the safety, efficacy, and ease of use of these products. These contracts total $55 million for the initial phase and up to $100 million over three years. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/09/20100921d.html

Emergency Preparedness & Response: BARDA awards $51 million contract for next generation anthrax vaccine
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) awarded a $51 million contract to Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., of Rockville, Md., for the development of a new anthrax vaccine using the protective antigen (rPA) to stimulate a protective immune response that neutralizes the anthrax toxins. http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/09/20100917c.html

Emergency Preparedness & Response: When Every Drop Counts: Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions: A Guide for Public Health Professionals
CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health developed this publication to assist public health officials, practitioners, and other stakeholders in their efforts to understand and prepare for drought in their communities. The document includes information about how drought affects public health, recommends steps to help mitigate the health effects of drought, identifies future needs for research and other drought-related activities, and provides a list of helpful resources and tools. http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Drought.htm

Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Journal
The Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) journal provides recognition of new and re-emerging infections and understanding of factors involved in disease emergence, prevention, and elimination. It also represents the scientific communications component of CDC's efforts against the threat of emerging infections. See the October 2010 issue of the EID journal at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid.

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11. A new "twist" in the law makes it easier to save on your prescription drug costs.



http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/



Under a new law, more Medicare beneficiaries could qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs because some things no longer count as income and resources. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth an average of $3,900 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited income and resources, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

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