New Preferred Pharmacy Network Highlights SCAN Health Plan’s 2017 MAPD Benefits

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- SCAN Health Plan announced its 2017 benefit plans, which include a new Preferred Pharmacy program offering lower copayments for prescription drugs. In many counties this gives plan members the option to pay $0 for many commonly used generic drugs (see also SCAN Health Plan).

Aside from key enhancements, 2017 benefits remain largely consistent with 2016 benefits-which, according to the not-for-profit health plan, is something its members have come to appreciate. "We know that our members want benefits to remain stable and predictable from year to year," said Cathy Batteer, senior vice president and general manager at SCAN. "But we also know cost is always a concern. Members have told us they would appreciate help with prescription drugs, so we're pleased to bring them the Preferred Pharmacy option."

Beginning January 1, SCAN members will save money when filling prescriptions at a Preferred Pharmacy. In the majority of the counties we serve, that will mean no copayment for many commonly used generic drugs, while copayments for brand-name drugs will be approximately $5 lower. Preferred pharmacies include such large chains as Albertsons, Costco, Express Scripts, Rite Aid, and Walgreens as well as select independent pharmacies with more than 24,000 locations nationwide. In addition, members still have access to another 46,000 standard pharmacies, where 2017 copays will remain at 2016 levels.

"There are many reasons why people choose a pharmacy, including location and pharmacy staff as well as cost," said Batteer. "If members are pleased with their current pharmacy, there's no need to change. However, if their current pharmacy is not a Preferred Pharmacy and they are looking for even lower drug costs, they can change and take advantage of this program."

As always all of SCAN's Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans feature all of the basic benefits traditionally covered under Medicare with no deductibles and low copays for most services. Other benefits include hearing aids, vision care and routine transportation. Specific benefits may vary depending on plan selection and county. In 2017 SCAN will continue to be available to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries in 12 California counties: Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Sonoma and Ventura.

In many California counties SCAN also offers a special needs plan (SNP) expressly designed for individuals who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. In some counties SCAN offers SNPs that are available to eligible individuals with chronic conditions; SCAN Heart First (HMO SNP) is for people with cardiovascular disease or congestive heart failure, and SCAN Balance (HMO SNP) is for individuals with diabetes. Both offer similar benefits as the SCAN Classic plan as well as additional benefits specific to managing their condition.

The annual enrollment period for choosing a Medicare Advantage plan for 2017 runs from October 15 to December 7, 2016. During this time seniors and others on Medicare may choose to switch their health plan or move from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan (or move back to original Medicare) with their new coverage taking effect January 1, 2017.

SCAN Health Plan is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans with nearly 170,000 members in California. For more information, visit scanhealthplan.com, facebook.com/scanhealthplan, or follow us on Twitter @scanhealthplan.

As governed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, member benefits vary by county. More information is available at www.scan2017.com or by calling 1-855-561-7226, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. TTY/TDD users may call 711. SCAN Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California Medi-Cal (Medicaid) program. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan depends on contract renewal.

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. 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 copayments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. The Formulary, pharmacy network and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

SCAN Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. SCAN Health Plan cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. SCAN Health Plan ?????????????,???????????????????????? ????

ATTENTION: If you speak another language, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-855-561-7226. (TTY: 711). ATENCION: Si habla espanol, tiene a su disposicion servicios gratuitos de asistencia linguistica. Llame al 1-855-561-7226. (TTY: 711) ??:?????????,????????????????? 1-855-561-7226 ?(TTY:711)?

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Keywords for this news article include: HMO, Medicaid, Medicare, Legal Issues, Managed Care, Health Policy, Health Insurance, SCAN Health Plan, Health Maintenance Organizations.

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