BayCare Health Plans Launches Insurance Products

PR Newswire

CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BayCare Health Plans begins enrollment in its first health insurance products, two Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans called BayCarePlus. Medicare-eligible residents can sign up starting today.

The plans are available to residents of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties. To learn about the health products, eligible individuals can speak to Medicare experts by phone at (877) 549-1741, request an information kit or attend an in-person meeting.

BayCare Health System established BayCare Health Plans Inc. to create health insurance products.

"As the Tampa Bay area's leading, not-for-profit health system, we believe we're in an ideal position to launch an insurance product that serves the needs of our customers and provides the same customer experience and local focus that people expect from BayCare," said Jim Beermann, president of BayCare Health Plans.

Medicare Advantage is a type of insurance available to individuals who are eligible for Medicare, but it often has benefits beyond those provided by the traditional federal program. The BayCarePlus Medicare Advantage plans, for example, will offer preventative dental care and no-cost participation in the SilverSneakers® program.

"The health care industry is evolving from the current fee-for-service model to a model that makes health systems responsible for keeping an entire population healthy," Beermann said. "That's why BayCare is moving toward aligning insurance with delivery of care. This step will help make the transition to an integrated population health enterprise."

BayCare Health Plans began marketing BayCarePlus on Oct. 1. Enrollment in the plans begins Oct. 15. Medicare-eligible individuals in the four-county area who are interested in learning more may visit the website BayCarePlus.org or call (866) 947-5820.

About BayCare Health Plans Inc.

BayCare Health Plans Inc. is a subsidiary of BayCare Health System, a leading not-for-profit health care system with 15 hospitals and hundreds of other locations in the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. BayCare Health Plans launched its first products, two Medicare Advantage (HMO) plans called BayCarePlus, in October 2018. The plans are available to Medicare-eligible residents of four Florida counties. For more information, visit BayCarePlus.org.