Blue Cross offers new $0 HMO Medicare Advantage plan

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) is offering a new $0 HMO Medicare Advantage plan as part of our broad suite of 2019 Medicare options to fit any budget. In addition to this new plan, we offer several other plans under $100, including a Medicare PPO Blue SaverRx (PPO), also for $0 per month.

"We are proud that more Medicare beneficiaries choose our plans than any other health plan in Massachusetts,"ⁱⁱⁱ said Ken Arruda, vice president of Medicare markets for Blue Cross. "This year, we are excited to offer yet another affordable Medicare option to customers with our new $0 HMO Medicare Advantage plan."

The new $0 Medicare HMO Blue SaverRx (HMO) plan provides additional benefits that Medicare doesn't generally cover, including Part D prescription drug coverage. It also includes routine dental, hearing and vision coverage, as well as a higher fitness reimbursement benefit with up to $250 per calendar year. The plan is a good option for those who prefer coordinated care through their primary care physician.

This year, our Blue MedicareRx Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) received 5 Stars out of 5 Starsⁱ from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the third year in a row, making us the top PDP plan in New England.ⁱ Our Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans are also high-rated plans at 4.5 Stars out of 5 Stars.ⁱ

Individuals with Medicare can choose the best Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan for their health care needs during the October 15-December 7, 2018, open enrollment period, and enrollment is effective January 1, 2019. A Blue Cross Medex or Dental plan can be selected at any time of the year.

To learn more about Blue Cross' broad suite of Medicare coverage options and a list of covered medications and to find the plan that's right for you:

• Visit our newly redesigned website, www.bluecrossma.com/medicare, to use the online comparison tool.
• Call our award-winning call center ⁱⁱ at 1-800-678-2265 (TTY: 711), from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time, seven days a week, October 1 through March 31. From April 1 through September 30, you can call us 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Medicare beneficiaries can also contact:

• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
• Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone (SHINE), 1-800-243-4636.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is an HMO and PPO Plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts depends on contract renewal.

Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont are the legal entities which have contracted as a joint enterprise with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are the risk-bearing entities for Blue MedicareRx (PDP) plans. The joint enterprise is a Medicare-approved Part D Sponsor. Enrollment in Blue MedicareRx (PDP) depends on contract renewal.

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.

ⁱ Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. 

ⁱⁱ SQM Contact Center World Class CX Certification (Retail Sales and Retention) Award for 2017. SQM is not affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts or CMS, nor is the award given or endorsed by Medicare.

ⁱⁱⁱ Represents Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental Individual and Group plan membership based on data from CMS (www.cms.gov) and Massachusetts DOI (www.mass.gov). 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-200-4255 (TTY: 711).
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About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (bluecrossma.com) is a community-focused, tax-paying, not-for-profit health plan headquartered in Boston. We're the trusted health plan for more than 25,000 Massachusetts employers and are committed to working with others in a spirit of shared responsibility to make quality health care affordable. Consistent with our corporate promise to always put our 2.8 million members first, we're rated among the nation's best health plans for member satisfaction and quality. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

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SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts