Medicare Launches New Caregiving Initiative

Ask Medicare Initiative Will Provide Online Information, Tools, and Materials
to Assist Caregivers in Making Informed Healthcare Decisions

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being
issued by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
WHAT:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), along with
representatives from partner organizations, will launch a new online Medicare
caregiver initiative providing information, tools and materials to help family
caregivers. The effort will be launched with a Webcast where forum
participants will take questions from caregivers and highlight personal
stories and experiences.
WHO:
Kerry Weems, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services
Susan Reinhard, AARP
Greg Link, Administration on Aging
Nancy Lewin, Strength for Caring
Gail Hunt, National Alliance for Caregiving

WHEN:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET

WHERE:
Ask Medicare is being launched via a live Webcast. Please visit
http://www.medicare.gov/caregivers to register for the event and to post
questions in advance.
BACKGROUND:
More than 44 million Americans (one out of five) provide daily care for a
chronically ill or aging loved one, friend, or neighbor that is valued in
economic terms at $350 billion annually, according to AARP. Because caregiving
requires a substantial amount of time, energy, and knowledge, Medicare is
launching an online initiative that will provide caregivers with help in
making healthcare decisions.
SOURCE The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

CMS Office of Media Affairs, +1-202-690-6145