New Progress Report Shows Millions of Medicare Part D Beneficiaries Saving Money and Opting for Alternatives

       Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt recently released the third in a series of progress updates on the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. The report details substantial increases in enrollment in the past month as well as new data showing that the vast majority of seniors are choosing alternatives to the standard government-designed plan.
       “Enrollment has been accelerating because beneficiaries know that the savings are real and so are the benefits,” says Leavitt. “We expect to see a substantial surge before May 15—that’s why we’re encouraging seniors to sign up now so they do not pass up an average savings of $1,100 per person.”
       The Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan is now 3 months old, and more than 27 million beneficiaries are receiving prescription drug coverage. Around 90% of Medicare beneficiaries have enrolled in a different plan from the standard plan designed by the government. Many are choosing plans that offer lower deductibles or no deductibles; fixed copayments for most drugs; and extra coverage in the coverage gap.
       Beneficiaries are not the only ones seeing savings. The overall cost of the program to taxpayers for 2006 has dropped 20% since last July’s estimate. States will save $700 million in 2006 compared to what they thought they would spend. In addition, the report addresses efforts being made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve and strengthen the program, including enrollment reconciliation and customer service monitoring.
       The report concludes with action steps for the next 6 weeks, including frequent data exchanges and accuracy checks with drug plans to assure beneficiary information is as up-to-date as possible and continued aggressive outreach and education to plans, providers, and pharmacists.
       Visit www.hhs.gov/secretaryspage.html for a copy of the full report.
       Source: Department of Health & Human Services

MDI Technologies Acquires Monette Information Systems

       MDI Technologies, Inc., announces the acquisition of Monette Information Systems, developer of ULTRACare^® software for the long-term care market. MDI and its parent company, Logibec, have built their businesses on the same core values that Monette clients have enjoyed: a commitment to providing clients with effective and easy-to-use software solutions and a dedication to personalized, responsive, and high-quality support.
       This acquisition strengthens MDI’s presence and sales effort in the Southeast, and it broadens the product suite that can be offered to Monette’s and MDI’s current client base. Looking to the future, MDI and Monette will continue to support all clients on the software purchased. The software solutions of the combined company will evolve into a new generation of products that combine the best of their individual features and functionality. Monette’s clients currently represent over 300 healthcare facilities, primarily located in the Southeastern region of the US, particularly North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Pennsylvania. MDI develops and markets a family of software products for the long-term care industry. More than 650 clients representing 1,500 facilities throughout America use MDI’s products and services.
       For more information, call 800-552-9846 or visit www.mditech.com.

Swiss-American Products’ Elta Crème Available Nationwide

       Swiss-American Products, Inc., manufacturer of specialty skin and wound care products, announces its flagship product, Elta Crème, will now be available for purchase by consumers in CVS/pharmacies and Kroger pharmacies. The product, specially developed to treat severe dry skin associated with diabetes, has long been used by clinicians and other medical professionals to treat of a wide range of skin conditions.
       “Elta Crème [is now] available in the skin care section of more than 5,400 CVS/pharmacies and over 400 Kroger pharmacies,” announces Bill Kling, president of Swiss-American. “Previously, clinicians would refer patients to pharmacies where in many cases the product would have to be special ordered. Now, consumers [can] buy Elta Crème at their neighborhood pharmacy with a minimum of effort.”
       The agreement with CVS/pharmacy marks Elta Crème’s entry into the consumer market on a nationwide scale. Elta Crème is a concentrated moisturizer that helps seal existing surface moisture in skin layers for hours, normalizing the driest skin. Elta Crème contains no fragrance or preservatives and is hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and safe for all skin types.
       For more information, visit www.elta.net.