medicare beneficiaries

Medicare officials said they will work with two insurance companies to develop a personal health record for Medicare beneficiaries. The pilot is expected to launch in January in some areas. Capstone Government Solutions (a joint venture of BCBS of Tennessee) and Cigna Government Services were awarded CMS contracts to develop the technology involved. In a twist, both contractors say they will do the work for free. "Obviously, we'll learn a lot, as well as the government," says Cigna's Gloria Barone.

- see this Modern Healthcare article

"We've seen a real surge of interest" says CMS head Mark McClellan. Monday was the deadline for seniors to sign up for Medicare Part D without facing a penalty. And many appear to have taken advantage of the opportunity. McClellan told the Associated Press that between 40,000 and 50,000 people were on the CMS website at any given time yesterday looking for last minute information on the benefit.

- see this AP …

Democrats are calling for the government to extend the registration deadline for Medicare Part D beyond May 15 in light of enrollment problems the benefit has faced in the early going. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) signed a letter to Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) asking him to help move legislation to the Senate floor that would extend the deadline for all participants.

CMS spokesman Peter Ashkenaz said the administration plans to stick to its guns on the deadline. ''Enrollment is …