There are indications that the some of the problems with the enrollment process for Medicare Part D may have been sorted out. Two months after the benefit launched, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt says the average waiting time for the national hotline is down to 47 seconds. Meanwhile, AARP, which runs a popular Medicare information line for seniors, said that it is averaging 300 calls a day, down from 1,600 a day in January.
- see this article from the Baltimore Sun
PLUS: Credit Suisse First Boston releases a report detailing $4 billion in subsidies expected to go to employers in an effort to get them to keep benefits programs going. Blog
ALSO: The Office of the Inspector General is launching an investigation into high pressure sales tactics on the part of some Medicare Part D plans. Article
AND: The Wall Street Journal wonders what the political impact of the fight over the benefit will be. Article (sub. req.)