Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Expands its Medicare Advantage Offerings for the 2017 Annual Enrollment Period

RICHARDSON, Texas, Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Focused on increasing access to quality care to Medicare beneficiaries, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is offering more options for health care coverage that provides them additional choice, optimized networks, flexibility and affordability. During this annual open enrollment period, BCBSTX is expanding access to its Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD). Beginning today through December 7, 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, 2017, 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 now be available with both HMO and PPO networks products in Houston, El Paso and South Texas areas. 

BCBSTX's MAPD products include features such as lower cost sharing, enhanced network options and benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, travel benefits, local transportation and worldwide emergency care. For 2017, we are also offering online and educational resources for members to learn about the benefits available through their plan, including a 24/7 nurse line. MAPD members are also eligible for the BCBSTX incentive program that rewards members for keeping up-to-date with preventive screenings and the SilverSneakers^®† Fitness Program, which encourages physical activity through fitness center memberships and social events at no additional cost.

"Delivering choice and quality care through our Medicare Advantage plans is only part of the equation – we want to ensure our members are receiving quality customer experience, seamless care tied directly to their primary care physician and improved overall wellness for a lifetime," said Dr. Esteban López, chief medical officer and market president for BCBSTX. "Supporting our members in sickness and in health is paramount, which is why our plans incorporate holistic care options such as in-home care, educational resources and well-being benefits like the SilverSneakers® program."

BCBSTX's 2017 prescription drug plans (PDP) offer lower monthly premiums, reduced cost-sharing at preferred pharmacies, an expansive formulary of generic and brand prescription drugs and access to 65,000¹+ network pharmacies nationwide². 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 our customer service number at 1-866-886-0282 (TTY/TDD: 711) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 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.

The SilverSneakers(R)† Fitness program is a wellness program owned and operated by Healthways, Inc., an independent company.

Healthways and SilverSneakers are registered trademarks of Healthways, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

Medicare Advantage Plan Notice:

HMO and HMO-POS 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 provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC) (PPO plans), and GHS Insurance Company (GHS) (HMO and HMO-POS 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 is 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.

Plan information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at 1-866-886-0282 (TTY/TDD: 711) from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., local time, 7 days a week. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

Esta información está disponible en otros idiomas de forma gratuita. Comuníquese a nuestro número de Servicio al cliente al 1-866-886-0282 (los usuarios de TTY/TDD deben llamar al 711). Nuestro horario es de 8:00 a.m. a 8:00 p.m., hora local, los 7 días de la semana. Si usted llama del 15 de febrero al 30 de septiembre, durante los fines de semana y feriados, se usarán tecnologías alternas (por ejemplo, correo de voz).

The provider network may change at any time. Members will receive notice when necessary.

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 500 hospitals to serve 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. 
BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube.com/BCBSTX

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 getbluetx.com/mapd.
² Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat BCBSTX members, except in emergency situations. For a decision about whether we will cover an out-of-network service, we encourage you or your provider to ask us for a pre-service organization determination before you receive the service. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas