Anthem Blue Cross Enhances 2019 Medicare Advantage Plans

Business Wire

With addition of support benefits, Anthem helps consumers improve their wellness by addressing key areas, such as nutrition, social isolation, and home safety

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) is committed to offering Medicare Advantage plans that provide high-quality medical care while also addressing other social and support needs that can impact good health. As part of this commitment, Anthem is expanding its 2019 Medicare Advantage offerings with the addition of benefits that provide wellness services including healthy food delivery, adult day centers visits to help reduce loneliness, personal home helpers to help with daily activities at home, respite care, and pain management.

The program will be offered to consumers enrolled in the following 2019 Medicare Advantage plans, that provide access to medical care administered by CareMore Health clinicians: Anthem Value Plus (HMO), Anthem Diabetes (HMO SNP), Anthem Heart (HMO SNP), Anthem Breathe (HMO SNP), Anthem StartSmart Plus (HMO), Anthem Connect Plus (HMO), and Anthem ESRD (HMO SNP). These plans are available in certain counties; interested consumers should check with Anthem for availability in their county of residence.

“Anthem is committed to developing innovative approaches that help address the dynamic needs of our Medicare consumers, and the introduction of these benefits is consistent with that goal,” said Josh Martin, President of Anthem’s Medicare West Region. “We know that one of the best ways to help people live healthier is to make it easier for individuals to access programs that address everyday health needs. Giving people the option of services such as delivered meals or time at an adult day center may make it easier for them to better manage chronic conditions, engage more with their community, or avoid preventable health-related incidents.”

Individuals enrolled in Anthem’s 2019 Medicare Advantage plans will have access to the following services to help them live more comfortably:

Prescribed Meals: 3 meals per day for 42 days delivered to home. Based on qualifying clinical criteria, health plan consumer receives a prescription for meals and periodic appointments with a registered dietitian.
In-Home Support: 4 four-hour shifts. Upon discharge from the hospital or nursing facility, consumers may receive in-home assistance with performing daily living activities.
Respite Care: 40 hours per year. Consumers are eligible if they have a chronic disease and have an unpaid caregiver providing care.
Adult Day Center Visits: Up to 1 visit per week for adult day center services, in order to help older adults who need supervision and assistance.
Pain Management: Up to 24 visits per year to receive a combination of acupuncture/pressure, chiropractic, and/or therapeutic massage.
Home-Delivered Meals: 7 days of meal delivery to assist with a transition home following discharge from a hospital or nursing facility.
Exercise Programs: Access to Nifty after Fifty and SilverSneakers®, which are fitness programs tailored to older adults, and can be prescribed or individuals can sign up on their own.
Outreach Support Program: Consumers may be paired with an Anthem associate to address and alleviate conditions associated with loneliness.
Transportation: Services to help members get to doctor appointments and other healthcare visits.

Individuals who are interested in joining one of these health plans can enroll during this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP began October 15, 2018, and continues through December 7, 2018 and gives consumers enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B the opportunity to sign up for Anthem’s 2019 Medicare Advantage plans.

For more details about these benefits and Anthem’s Medicare plans, consumers can call (855) 866-3957, 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. Individuals can also visit the company’s online store at https://shop.anthem.com/medicare.

Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross depends on contract renewal. Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California Medicaid program. Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is an LPPO CSNP plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO CSNP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross 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. 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.

About Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross name and symbol are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthemBlueCross and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnthemBlueCrossCA.