Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Expands Coverage Areas for Its Medicare Advantage Offerings for the 2016 Annual Enrollment Period

PR Newswire

RICHARDSON, Texas, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in Texas now have more options for health care coverage that provides them additional choice, flexibility and affordability. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is expanding access to its Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD). Beginning October 15, Medicare eligible individuals can enroll in Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO)^SM; Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)^SM ; or Blue Cross MedicareRx (PDP)^SM prescription drug plans for a January 1, 2016, effective date.

This coverage expansion, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), builds upon BCBSTX's existing Medicare coverage areas and is part of the company's ongoing commitment to providing greater flexibility and increasing access to health care throughout the state. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage will be available with both HMO and PPO networks in the following counties:

HMO plans available in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Chambers, El Paso, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Webb, Willacy and Williamson counties.
PPO plans available in Bastrop, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Fayette, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.

"Our MAPD and Medicare PDP products support our legacy of providing continuous health coverage to our members for more than 80 years. This expansion allows us to provide Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in more areas of the state with new offerings that increase choice, flexibility and value tailored to their individual needs," said David Goodson, vice president of Enterprise and Medicare at Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

BCBSTX's MAPD products include a variety of enhancements such as lower cost sharing, access to preferred pharmacies, more network options and benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, travel benefits and worldwide emergency care. In addition, MAPD members can participate in the SilverSneakers^®* Fitness Program, which encourages physical activity through fitness center memberships and social events, at no additional cost in 2016.

"Our Medicare Advantage plans are anchored by primary care physicians and hospital systems that specialize in meeting the needs of our senior population," added Goodson. "Our plans also encourage seniors to become active participants in their health with educational resources and benefits like SilverSneakers®, that provide seniors with access to benefits and tools that can help them achieve positive health outcomes."

BCBSTX's enhanced 2016 prescription drug plans (PDP) offers lower monthly premiums, reduced cost-sharing at preferred pharmacies, an expansive formulary of generic and brand prescription drugs and access to 65,000+ network pharmacies nationwide[1]. The plans include different coverage levels to support the changing needs and lifestyles of the Medicare eligible population, including three plans offering prescription drug copays for some generics as low as $0.

For more information about enrolling, visit <getbluetx.com/mapd or call 1-866-886-0282, (TTY/TDD: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., local time, 7 days a week to speak to a licensed agent. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.>

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.

Blue Cross®, Blue Shield® and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.^* SilverSneakers^® is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc.

Healthways SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program is a wellness program owned and operated by Healthways, Inc., an independent company.

[1] This list and data are accurate as of the date this release was published. This list is subject to change without advanced notice. For the most current information, please visit: www.getbluetx.com/mapd

Medicare Advantage Plan Notice: HMO plans available in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Chambers, El Paso, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Webb, Willacy and Williamson counties. PPO plans available in Bastrop, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Chambers, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Fayette, Fort Bend, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Jefferson, Lee, Liberty, Montgomery, Orange, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties. Plans are provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC) (PPO plans), and also to GHS Insurance Company (GHS) (HMO plans). HISC and GHS are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HISC and GHS are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HISC's and GHS' plans depends on contract renewal.

Medicare Part D Plan Notice: Prescription drug plan provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in HCSC's plan depends on contract renewal.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and healthcare practitioners, and 500 hospitals to serve more than 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.