The $250 Check’s in the Mail — Beware of Scams

This week the federal government began mailing $250 checks to Medicare Part D enrollees who have reached the doughnut hole where Part D no longer covers prescription drugs.

These checks are sent automatically to seniors when 2010 prescription costs reach the coverage gap.

It is not necessary to apply for the check!

But scam artists are already at work, contacting  seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries asking for social security numbers, bank accounts, and pretending to help them apply for the $250 rebates. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on June 11th, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: doughnut hole, Medicare, rebates

Barriers and Facilitators for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Older People

Although Medicare pays for colorectal cancer screening, not all older people enrolled in Medicare are screened.

Reviewing published medical literature, a task group from the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable found research identifying both barriers to screening and factors that made it easier.

The most frequently mentioned barrier related to healthcare providers was lack of a doctor’s recommendation.  Having a usual source of health care facilitated getting screened. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on February 1st, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer screening, Medicare

Colorectal Cancer Briefs: PSA Contest,Medicare Co-Pays, NCI Bethesda Clinical Trials

Briefly

• The Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada is sponsoring a contest for print and video ads that raise awareness of colorectal cancer.
• Clinical trials at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD are an option for cutting-edge treatment at no cost.
• When co-pays are raised for Medicare, the elderly make fewer outpatient visits but are hospitalized more often and stay in the hospital longer.

Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on February 1st, 2010
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: clinical trials, co-pays, colorectal cancer awareness, Medicare

Senate Set for Saturday Vote on Health Reform

By Catherine Knowles, C3’s Director of Policy

On Thursday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Reid (NV) set the procedural wheels in motion for a vote on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The first procedural vote is expected around 8pm on Saturday.  It will be a cloture vote on the motion to proceed.  Majority Leader Reid is working to line up the 60 votes needed to pass the cloture motion (a cloture motion must be approved by three-fifths of the Senate).

Continue reading for more information on the upcoming Senate vote as well as a summary of some of the provisions included in the Senate bill that C3 thinks are important for people living with colorectal cancer. Continue reading…

Posted by Catherine Knowles on November 20th, 2009
Posted in: Policy & Advocacy News | No Comments »
Tags: Health Care Reform, Medicaid, Medicare, Senate

Colorectal Cancer News in Brief: November 16

Briefly: African Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at later stages and have surgery less often which contributes to their poorer survival.  Women have a greater risk of a missed or early colorectal cancer after a negative colonoscopy.

If you can’t have a loved one with you during a painful procedure, just looking at your partner’s picture may make it hurt less.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology has a new website for patients, and open enrollment for Medicare plan coverage begins on November 15 and extends through the end of the year. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on November 16th, 2009
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »
Tags: disparities, Medicare, pain, radiation oncology