MEDICARE PART D update // ZYRTEC

It's open enrollment for MEDICARE PART D .. it runs through Jan first.

If you're enrolled now, you have to re-enroll... Plans have changed .. some have seen huge price increases.

As for the so called donut hole - webmd points out .. " For most plans, Medicare stops paying when your out-of-pocket costs reach $2,510, not including monthly premiums. It doesn't kick in again until you've spent $4,050. Now that people know their plan can drop out, they have to be aware of enhanced plans that charge higher premiums in exchange for more coverage in the doughnut hole."

I've got a host of sites you can check for help when signing up for the best plan for your needs:

http://www.medicare.gov/
http://www.medicarerights.org/
http://www.ssa.gov/ ( if you're lower income - this might be a good starting source)

you can also call
1-800- MEDICARE

or the social security #

1-800-772-1213

and talk with your doctor - he/she can help you determine which plan is best for you.

OH .. on an unrelated note :

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the allergy treatment ZYRTEC® to be used without a prescription for adults and children. This allergy medicine relieves symptoms due to perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as indoor and outdoor upper respiratory allergies.

(hot off the press release)

Alzheimer's - the latest

Was at the 11th annual Conference for Caregivers sponsored by the Alzheimer's Assn.

Always a great event for those providing the care - professionals and loved ones.

5 million Americans currently are diagnosed with Alzheimer's . .. that number's expected to jump 350% to 14.3 million by 2050.

One of the speakers, William Thies, PhD - VP, Medical and Scientific Relations for the Alzheimer's Assn spoke about What's Next in Alzheimer's care -

After the conference we spoke a little about what's in the pipeline re: treatment and how we can protect ourselves against this disease. I'll have that clip posted in a little while.