Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Will Offer Medicare Advantage Plans in 13 Maine Counties for 2019

Business Wire

Anthem plans help consumers improve their health and well-being through high-quality, affordable healthcare services

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine (Anthem) will be offering up to four Medicare Advantage health plans in 13 counties in 2019. Medicare-eligible individuals living in Aroostook, Hancock, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and Waldo counties will have two new Anthem plans available to them for next year. These 2019 health plans are open for enrollment in this year’s Medicare annual election period (AEP), which begins October 15 and continues through December 7, 2018.

“Anthem strives to develop innovative solutions that aim to make it simpler for consumers to lead healthier lives,” said Tomas Orozco, President of Anthem’s East Medicare Region. “We are excited to expand the reach of our Medicare Advantage plans and enhance our services in 2019 so that more individuals are able to receive healthcare services from care providers in their community.”

Individuals eligible for Medicare – people 65 years and older and those with certain disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special needs – are able to enroll in the following 2019 Medicare Advantage health plans based on availability in their county of residence:

Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO)
Anthem MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS)
Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)
Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO)

Many of the company’s Medicare Advantage plans, such as Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) and Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO), have $0 monthly premiums, offering access to high-quality healthcare services without an additional premium.

These Anthem Medicare Advantage health plans offer a variety benefits, which may include:

$0 copay annual dental cleaning
$0 copay annual eye exam and $125 for vision hardware per year
Up to $2,000 hearing aid benefit
Up to 24 one-way trips to pharmacy and medical visits within 60 miles
Up to $94 quarterly allowance for over-the-counter medications and health products, which can be used though Walmart
LiveHealth Online, a service that gives you access to medical professionals through your computer or mobile device
Membership to SilverSneakers, at no extra cost
Mail order 90-day supply of prescription medicines for two 30-day copayments
Coverage for erectile dysfunction drugs on select plans
In-network coverage of healthcare services with other participating health plans affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association when traveling out of state for the Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) plan

“Individuals eligible for Medicare have a number of health insurance choices so it’s important that Anthem offers Medicare Advantage plans that deliver the healthcare experience and value consumers are seeking in their health plan. Our portfolio of programs will allow aging seniors to receive services they need to address their specific needs,” added Orozco.

In addition to Medicare Advantage, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Maine counties for people who enroll in Original Medicare, a government-sponsored program. Both the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans utilize a preferred pharmacy network to help members save costs.

Anthem also provides 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 as well as provide access to SilverSneakers. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.

To learn more about which benefits will be available with each 2019 Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and Medicare Supplement plan, and which plans will be offered in a specific area, consumers can call (855) 866-4320, which is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 1 to Sept. 30; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, Oct. 1 to March 31. Consumers can also visit the company’s 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 an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Maine 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. 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. ATTENTION: Si vous parlez français, des services d'aide linguistique vous sont proposés gratuitement. Appelez le 1-888-230-7338 (ATS : 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. 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

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross 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 and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBCBS and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield.