Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Will Offer Medicare Advantage Plans in 132 Virginia Counties and Cities for 2019

Business Wire

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

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia (Anthem) will be offering up to eight Medicare Advantage health plans in 132 counties and independent cities in 2019. Medicare-eligible individuals living in 64 of those 132 counties and cities will have at least one new Anthem plan 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. Anthem’s health plan for individuals eligible for Medicare and Medicaid will be available in nearly every Virginia county.”

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 Local (HMO)
Anthem MediBlue Diabetes (HMO C-SNP)
Anthem MediBlue COPD (HMO C-SNP)
Anthem MediBlue Smart Fit (HMO)
Anthem MediBlue Care on Site (HMO SNP)
Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO)
Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)
Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO)

Many of the company’s Medicare Advantage plans, such as Anthem MediBlue Local (HMO) and Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP), have $0 monthly premiums, because the company recognizes that out-of-pocket costs are an important consideration for many consumers when they’re selecting health insurance.

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

$0 copay two dental exams and two dental cleanings per year
$0 copay eye exam
Up to $3,000 hearing aid benefit
Up to 52 one-way trips to pharmacy and medical visits within 60 miles
Up to $185 quarterly allowance for over-the-counter medications and health products, which can be used through 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
Coverage for erectile dysfunction drugs on select plans
Medicare Community Resource Support, which is a telephone based program (supported by Social Workers) used to identify needs, leverage resources, and coordinate services

Anthem will also be giving consumers an opportunity to choose an additional health plan benefit offered in its Essential Extras package, a new program introduced for its 2019 Medicare Advantage plans.

With Essential Extras, individuals enrolled in Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) will be able to choose one of the following services: 64 delivered healthy meals; 60 one-way trips to a health-related destination; a personal health helper for up to 124 hours of care for chores and assistance with activities of daily living; assistive devices allowance of $500, such as a shower grab bar; up to 1 day a week of time at an adult day center; and alternative medicine through 24 acupuncture or therapeutic massage sessions. These services are designed to make it easier for consumers to lead more comfortable lives.

With some Anthem plans, enrollees will have access to an Outreach Support “Togetherness” program, a first-in-industry clinical approach to address senior loneliness as a treatable condition by focusing on consumers’ psychological, social, and physical health. Senior loneliness is an epidemic in the United States. Studies show that loneliness can potentially increase a person’s risk of mortality by 45 percent - more than air pollution, obesity, and excessive alcohol use.

“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 Virginia 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. 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) 878-1110, 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.

HealthKeepers, Inc. is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. HealthKeepers, Inc. is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Virginia Medicaid program. HealthKeepers, Inc. is an HMO CSNP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HealthKeepers, Inc. depends on contract renewal. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. HealthKeepers, Inc. is an HMO/POS CSNP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HealthKeepers 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. 주의: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711) 번으로 전화해 주십시오 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 Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc. are independent licensees 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 Virginia is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBCBS and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossBlueShield.