by: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

This Fact Sheet contains updated information on a new law whose first phase of implementation went into effect April 1, 2008, and which requires that written prescriptions for covered outpatient drugs that are paid for by Medicaid be executed on a tamper-resistant prescription. The second phase of implementation will go into effect on October 1, 2008.
The law applies only to written prescriptions for covered outpatient drugs; prescriptions that are transmitted from the prescriber to the pharmacy verbally, by fax, or through an e-prescription are not impacted by the statute, and so those methods may be used as alternatives to a written prescription. The law applies whenever Medicaid pays any portion of the cost of a prescription.

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by: Mary Williams Walsh, New York Times

Gasoline prices are well above last year's levels, and people are driving less. That would suggest fewer crashes, and a little relief for the struggling American consumer, in the form of lower auto insurance premiums. But instead, many insurers are raising their rates, sometimes by large amounts.

"On average, they have been asking for a 7 percent increase" in New York, said Michael Moriarty, the state's deputy insurance superintendent for property and capital markets. North Carolina is pondering an industrywide request for a 13 percent increase. In Illinois, increases have been from 3 percent at State Farm to 13 percent at the United Services Automobile Association, which insures military families.

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If you own a house that is located along the ocean, bay or within a coastal county, your home may be vulnerable to wind damage caused by a hurricane or Nor' Easter. It is important to take preventative measures to help protect your family, home and possessions. Here are some things you can do:

Measures to Consider if Renovating or Building a Home
Windows, doors & skylights. Install impact resistant storm shutters on all windows, doors and skylights. Storm shutters can be custom designed to fit your home.

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The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. The only difference is a matter of what school your dentist attended. Some dental schools award the DDS degree, some award a DMD degree. The education and training and requirements are the same.

Sincerely,

McDonough & Keegan Insurance Agency, Inc.