Medicare HMO e-Newsletter

Newsletter for
Professionals

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | November 9, 2005

www.MedicareHMO.com
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Medicare HMO:
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What is the Medicare Drug Benefit?

Medicare Modernization Act

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From MCOL:

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Results from the Medicare HMO mini-polls

Two mini-polls rotate on the Medicare HMO web site home page. Here's current results for the two polls:

How well do you think you understand the new Medicare Part D Prescription Benefit?

Answers		Percent
1.	Already have detailed knowledge	2%
2.	Have a reasonable understanding	7%
3.	Know a little bit, but am not sure about the rest	22%
4.	Don't understand how it works	69%

n=152

For Medicare Beneficiaries: Do you plan on having a drug benefit in 2006?

Answers		Votes	Percent
1.	Yes: through my employer retiree plan	9	6%
2.	Yes: through my Medicare HMO	44	30%
3.	Yes: I'll enroll in the new Rx benefit plus my regular Medicare	28	19%
4.	No: I'm not going to enroll to receive a drug benefit	22	15%
5.	I'm not sure	46	31%

n = 149

New polls will appear in 2006. In the meantime, if you haven't voted in an applicable poll already, feel free to visit the Medicare HMO home page and do so.

New in the web site

Here's what's been added to the Medicare HMO web site in November:

A new feature, "What is the Medicare Drug Benefit?" providing a summary explanation

New links in the Web Link Directory

New links to Medicare Reports

The myHealthChoices web site has been added to the Knowledge Center

Resources for Professionals

Check out Mark Hochhauser's new article: "Medicare's Online Drug Benefit Plan is Illegible, Inaccessible and Incomprehensible." Mark is a health care and health plan readability consultant.

Check out recent audioconference recordings on Medicare Part D benefits at http://www.healthwebsummit.com/cdroms.htm

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