Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri Implements Program to Help Consumers Recover Faster Following Hospitalization

Business Wire

Anthem’s Medicare members have access to home-delivered meals, leading to better health after leaving the hospital

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Starting in 2018, consumers enrolled in specific Medicare Advantage plans from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri (Anthem) can receive home-delivered meals after they are discharged from the hospital. With this service, Anthem is working with GA Foods to ensure individuals heal faster, improve their strength, and lower their risk of health complications once home.

“Weight loss and poor nutrition are common causes of people not recovering fully from being sick or, even worse, can lead them back into the hospital,” said David McNichols, president of Anthem’s Medicare central region. “This home-delivered meal service is part of Anthem’s commitment to ensuring our members receive high-quality, affordable and comprehensive health care.”

This health plan benefit is available for consumers enrolled in Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) and Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP).

Individuals who are interested in joining one of these plans can enroll during this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP begins October 15, 2017, and continues through December 7, 2017 and gives Missourians eligible for Medicare the opportunity to enroll in Anthem’s 2018 Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

Enrollees in the Medicare Advantage plans mentioned above are eligible to receive up to 20 SunMeadow® meals from GA Foods after leaving the hospital. GA Foods delivers meals to members’ homes, unpacks them, and puts them in the freezer. These meals can then be reheated in the oven or microwave at a convenient time. GA Foods also offers meals that are ready to eat (i.e. no reheating needed) for anyone who wants that option.

Nutritionally balanced and restaurant inspired, GA Foods’ meals include choices such as Country Egg Skillet, Meatloaf with Sofrito Sauce, Pulled Pork with Moko Sauce, Huevos Rancheros, Pollo Tropicale, and Rib Beef Patty with Mexican-Style Sauce.

The home-delivered meals benefit is available with the following two Anthem insurance plans that carry $0 premiums. These plans are available for 2018 enrollment in the listed counties:

Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO): Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Newton, Ozark, Pike, Polk, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Stone, Taney, Warren, Washington, Webster, and Wright counties.
Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP): Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Howell, Jasper, Jefferson, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Newton, Ozark, Pike, Polk, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Stone, Taney, Warren, Washington, Webster, and Wright counties.

In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Missouri counties for people who enroll in Original Medicare, a government-sponsored program. Both the MA Prescription Drug (MAPD) and Part D drug plans utilize a preferred pharmacy network to help members save costs. This preferred cost-sharing pharmacy network will continue to be offered in 2018. MAPD will also add more hypertension medications for a $0 copay to the existing list of $0 copay medications that treat hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and osteoporosis - some of Medicare’s most common conditions and utilized prescription drugs.

Anthem also offers Medicare Supplement plans to Original Medicare enrollees all across the state. These plans help cover costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.

For details about Anthem’s Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 866-4242 or visit Anthem’s Medicare online store at https://shop.anthem.com/medicare.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Missouri Medicaid program. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. We do not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-888-230-7338 TTY：711）。ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711). This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premium, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. Other providers are available in our network. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemBCBS_News and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.