Volume 1 Number 17
April 26, 2004











TEXT-ONLY VERSION



 President Bush recently approved a new law to bring people with Medicare more choices in health care coverage. It offers new prescription drug and preventive benefits to anyone on Medicare whose outpatient drugs aren’t covered by Medicaid. And for lower-income seniors, a credit of $600 is available to help offset their drug expenses.

With nearly one in five seniors in Florida on Medicare, getting the word out about the new Medicare-approved drug discount cards is critical. 

Beginning May 3, Florida’s seniors will be able to sign up for Medicare-approved prescription drug discount cards through at least 28 companies. The cards are intended to provide interim help toward prescription drug costs until the full Medicare drug benefit begins in January 2006. They offer discounts on some prescription drugs.

The discounts begin June 1 and will vary between cards, as will the drugs they cover and the pharmacies that accept them. Medicare estimates savings of 10 to 25 percent.

With the increasing number of advertisements and promotions of prescription drug discount cards, I’m very concerned that scam artists will use confusion over the new program to cheat Florida’s seniors. It’s important to remember that these discount cards are not health insurance.

Seniors should beware of unsolicited phone calls or visits. If contacted, do not give out personal financial information, including your Social Security number and bank account information. Once you have shopped around, check to see if the company you are dealing with is legitimate before you enroll.

Additional help is just a phone call away. Seniors can call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at 1-800-96ELDER or get help from a Medicare specialist at 1-800-Medicare. Medicare also offers a comparison of the different cards available on their website at www.medicare.gov.
                                           

                                       
Medicare Discount Cards in Florida 2004 – 2005

Medicare Discount Card Transitional Assistance ($600 Credit)

 

 

 

 

 

DFS RECOGNIZES ‘TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS & SONS TO WORK DAY’

The Department of Financial Services hosted more than 150  children for a full day of activities on Thursday, April 22, 2004.

Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, who oversees the Department of Financial Services, today joined more than 150 children of employees in the department’s annual recognition of “Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.” 

“This is a valuable opportunity for children to experience the workplace firsthand,” Gallagher said.  “There is a practical connection between the classroom and the office, and I commend the parents and other employees for taking time with these kids to offer some important real-world lessons.”  CONTINUED

 



Kevin McCarty, Director of the Office of Insurance Regulation, oversees insurance rates and regulations for the State of Florida.

 

FLORIDA OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION

 

 

INSURER’S REQUEST TO CANCEL HOME HEALTH CARE POLICIES DENIED

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has denied an insurer’s request to cancel its home health care policies, in addition to its request for a 211.6% rate increase.  Conseco Senior Health Insurance Company (Conseco Senior) made the request, which is permitted under Florida law, subject to Office approval.  The request was made to stem large losses in this line of business.  The Office has ordered the company to continue honoring the policies, along with offering the policyholders, nationwide, a choice of two other policy options. 

In signing the order, director of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, Kevin McCarty, said, “These policyholders purchased these policies in good faith and have held up their end of the bargain.  While I understand the financial strain the company is undergoing, I must balance those concerns with the interests of the Florida policyholders.  I believe this is the best solution to achieve that balance.”  The Office held a public hearing, last month, to allow Conseco Senior to present its request and to allow policyholders to testify.    CONTINUED
 

 

 

DFS PAYS $15,000 REWARD TO FLORIDA ‘FRAUD BUSTER’
Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher has authorized a $15,000 reward be granted to a Miami man who provided state insurance fraud investigators with information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of a medical clinic owner who orchestrated a Personal Injury Protection (PIP) fraud scheme.

“I hope news of this reward will encourage more Floridians to report insurance fraud,” said Gallagher, who oversees the Department of Financial Services, which administers the Fraud Buster Reward program.  “The truth is that fraud costs us all in the form of increased premiums.”  CONTINUED
 

 

 

 
The State Fire Marshal's
Site for Kids
 

PENSACOLA MAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY AND ARSON                          

An Escambia County man was arrested yesterday for a residential burglary and arson that occurred on May 25, 2002, at 700 West Johnson Avenue.

Terry Cook, 26, of 8510 Rose Avenue, is charged with burglary, theft and arson. Investigator’s Thomas Bosco and Chris Powell with the Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, booked Cook into the Escambia County Jail.

Investigators said Cook intentionally set fire to the home’s interior to cover up evidence of the burglary and theft.  The theft and fire damage is estimated to total $50,000.  No one was injured in the fire.

The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations is a law enforcement branch of the Division of State Fire Marshal that assists other state and local fire and law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fires of suspicious origin.  Anyone with information about this case or any incident of fire is asked to call 1-877-662-7766 (1-877-NOARSON). Information may also be mailed to The Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, 105A Lewis Street, Suite 103, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32547.