Monday, February 7, 2011

Register Today for NBCC's Annual Advocacy Conference

Register today for National Breast Cancer Coalition's Annual Advocacy Conference
April 30 - May 3, 2011
Washington DC

http://takeaction.stopbreastcancer.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Conf2011schedule

Sunday, January 2, 2011

What's New In 2011 Health Care Reform?

NOBCCF and its network
 worked very hard during 2009 and 2010 to help Congress enact a quality health care reform bill.  As always, we're grateful to our members who helped make the PPACA a reality!

Here are some changes that will take place effective Jan. 1, 2011:

1. Discount of 50% on brand name prescriptions for Medicare Part D patients in the "donut hole" coverage gap. There's also a 7% discount on generic prescriptions.

2. Changes in flexible spending & health reimbursement accounts - The cost of over-the-counter medications will now be reimbursed if you have this type of insurance plan.

3. Free preventive care for patients enrolled in traditional Medicare plans - this includes flu shots and pneumonia vaccines as well as screenings for diabetes, colorectal cancer, high blood pressure, depression, obesity and HIV.  In addition, women will receive free screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and bone mass density.  Men will receive free cholesterol screening.  Nutritional counseling will also be provided for help with diabetes.


4. Your child becomes eligible to stay on your insurance plan until age 26.  They can remain on your plan whether or not they are in school, married, living with you or eligible under an employer plan.  


5. Annual limits on health insurance coverage will increase. The minimum amount of health care costs that your health insurance plan must cover for you will increase to $750,000. Its an importtant benefit when you experience a catastrophic accident or illness. 


6. Bonus of 10% to Medicare physicians who provide primary care - an incentive for doctors to provide primary care to Medicare patients.


More information here and here.