Cyber Monday starts early! See details how you can save 30% on upcoming events!

To get a head start on the holiday season, as a blog reader, we’re giving you an extended chance to take advantage of our Cyber Monday sale. Register for any of the following IIR events and receive 30% off the standard rates. Mention code CYBER2014 when registering for each or any of the following:

IIR’s 12th Annual Medicare Congress 
February 3-5, 2015 in New Orleans, LA.  
Survive the toughest rate environment to date with lessons from top-notch healthcare executives.
Visit the event website.
Register here.
 
IIR’s FDA/CMS Summit for Payers 
December 11-12, 2014 in Washington, D.C.
Drive collaboration and innovation to succeed in a patient-centric environment.
Visit the event website.
Register here.

Have any questions? Email Jennifer Pereira.

*This promotion is only valid Wednesday, Nov. 26th 2014 until Monday, December 1st  2014. Offer cannot be applied retroactively to confirmed paying registrants and cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions. All registrants and guests are subject to IIR approval.

The Medicare Congress Brochure is Now Available | Register Now to Save $600

The 12th Annual Medicare Congress was designed with you and your team in mind—covering Medicare and Dual Eligibles from A-Z. Make sure you join us this February 3-5 in New Orleans!


Let us help you navigate through the evolving landscape so you can increase reimbursement with stronger Star ratings, build relationships with provider networks to improve quality of care, meet the clinical needs of dual eligibles to attract and retain new members— and much more!

What’s new at Medicare Congress 2015:
• C-Level Sound Off
• Patient Advocacy Group Panel
• Think Tank Roundtable Luncheon
• Town Hall Round-up
• And more!

Download the 2015 Brochure Here.

Register now and SAVE $500 but use the code XP2007BLOG and take an extra $100 off – total savings of $600! Register here.

PLUS! Dual Forum and Stars University are back by popular demand. Click here to learn more.

Pressure is Coming down on Congress to Pass Healthcare Reform

This article in the Washington Post highlights how Vice President Joe Biden has warned Congress that if they do not agree on healthcare soon the opportunity for a "sweeping overhaul of the $2.5 trillion system will be lost for a generation."

Obama's team have been long pressing lawmakers to reach an agreement and to pass the bill. The bill has been passed by the House of Representatives but has struggled to reach 60 votes that the Democrats need. With each passing day that the bill is not passed the number of uninsured Americans increase.

Forbes: Medicare Part D: A Health Care Success Story

Mary Grealy writes that among the pitfalls America has seen with Medicare, there may be one beacon of hope with Medicare Part D. Grealy says, the landmark legislation that created Part D was passed by Congress in 2003 with bipartisan support. It was the first major overhaul of Medicare in 35 years, and it offered a much-needed benefit to seniors struggling to pay for their prescriptions...Far from leaving seniors with limited options, Part D allows Medicare enrollees to choose the prescription plan that most closely aligns with their needs. In the Medicare Today survey, 80% of participants say their plan covers all the medicines their doctor prescribes. The numbers were even higher in New York and Florida.

To read more about the success of Medicaid Part D, please visit Grealy's article.

Medicare Part D: A Health Care Success Story

Obama's Healthcare Plan Making Headway

After months of discussions between Congress, Obama has stated that "It's time to deliver," according to this post on CBS News. A lot of legislation is being drafted now, including this one which would require every American, except for those who cannot afford it, to obtain health insurance. Obama's public plan has received a lot of criticism from Congress, what are your thoughts? Read the full article here.

Take a look at the video below to see White House Senior Advisory Davis Axelrod speak with Harry Smith about Pres. Obama`s stance on health care reform.

Is Medicare in a Huge Mess?

Earlier today I came across this post on the National Journal Health Care blog which posed a serious question about how serious Medicare’s financial problems are and what should be done to fix it. Reading through the responses there are several recommendations and policies to take note of. What do you think should be done in Congress to address this problem?