Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield Will Offer Medicare Advantage Plans in 17 New York Counties for 2019

Business Wire

Empire plans help consumers improve their health and well-being through high-quality, affordable healthcare services

ALBANY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) will be offering up to seven Medicare Advantage health plans in 17 counties in 2019. Medicare-eligible individuals living in 10 of those 17 counties will have at least one new Empire plan available to them for next year. These 2019 health plans are open for enrollment in this year’s Medicare annual election period (AEP), which begins October 15 and continues through December 7, 2018.

“Empire strives to develop innovative solutions that aim to make it simpler for consumers to lead healthier lives,” said Tomas Orozco, President of the company’s East Medicare Region. “We are excited to expand the reach of our Medicare Advantage plans and enhance our services in 2019 so that more individuals are able to receive healthcare services from care providers in their community.”

Individuals eligible for Medicare – people 65 years and older and those with certain disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special needs – are able to enroll in the following 2019 Medicare Advantage health plans based on availability in their county of residence:

Empire MediBlue Plus (HMO)
Empire MediBlue Select (HMO)
Empire MediBlue Core (HMO)
Empire MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS)
Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)
Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage Select (HMO SNP)
Empire MediBlue Access (PPO)

Many of the company’s Medicare Advantage plans, such as Empire MediBlue Select (HMO) and Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage Select (HMO SNP), have $0 monthly premiums, because the company recognizes that out-of-pocket costs are an important consideration for many consumers when they’re selecting health insurance.

These Empire Medicare Advantage health plans offer a variety benefits, which may include:

$0 copay for two dental cleanings and two dental cleanings per year
$0 copay eye exam and $250 for vision hardware per year
Up to $3,000 hearing aid benefit
Up to $80 monthly allowance for over-the-counter medications and health products, which can be used though Walmart
LiveHealth Online, a service that gives you access to medical professionals through your computer or mobile device
Membership to SilverSneakers, at no extra cost
Coverage for erectile dysfunction drugs on select plans
In-network coverage of healthcare services with other participating health plans affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association when traveling out of state for the Empire MediBlue Access (PPO) plan

“Individuals eligible for Medicare have a number of health insurance choices so it’s important that Empire offers Medicare Advantage plans that deliver the healthcare experience and value consumers are seeking in their health plan. Our portfolio of programs will allow aging seniors to receive services they need to address their specific needs,” added Orozco.

Empire also reintroduced Medicare Supplement plans in 2018 to Original Medicare enrollees all across the state. These plans help cover costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare as well as access to SilverSneakers. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.

To learn more about which benefits will be available with each 2019 Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plan and which plans will be offered in a specific area, consumers can call (855) 878-1107, 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. Consumers can also visit the company’s online store at https://shop.empireblue.com/medicare.

Empire BlueCross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Empire BlueCross is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a coordination of benefits agreement with the New York State Department of Health. Empire BlueCross is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Empire BlueCross 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. Other providers are available in our network. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

About Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Empire BlueCross (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Empire BlueCross HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EmpireBCBS and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EmpireBlueCrossBlueShield.