CMS set to release details on Medicare Part D plans today

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services selected the companies which will be allowed to market their own versions of Medicare Part D. They include: Aetna, Connecticut General, Memberhealth Inc., Pacificare, Silverscript, Unicare, United Health Care Insurance Company and Wellcare Health Plans.The Part D calendar as it stands now: The marketing phase (possibly the ugly part) is set to start October 1st. Enrollment begins Nov. 15. The benefit itself officially goes live Jan. 1st.  

- see this story [1] from the San Diego Tribune
- see also this story [2] from the Boston Globe

PLUS: Any effort to push back the start date of Medicare Part D is likely to bring a response from K Street lobbyists. That makes it very unlikely that the benefit will be delayed. The AARP says any roll back would be a "catastrophe" for all involved.  Story [3]

PLUS: NO! NO! NO! The staunchly conservative Heritage Foundation says that Part D must wait another year thanks to Katrina. Story [4]