UPMC for Life Launches Medicare Plans for 2017 in Philadelphia County

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- UPMC for Life, the Medicare Advantage product of UPMC Health Plan, will now offer high quality and high value plans in Philadelphia County for 2017 (see also UPMC Health Plan).

UPMC for Life is offering three HMO plans so that that Medicare-eligible members can choose the one that best suits their needs.

All UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage members will have access to a provider network that includes over 9,000 doctors and 86 hospitals in Pennsylvania.

All UPMC for Life HMO plans maintain an "Excellent" accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest honor a managed care plan can receive.(* *)

UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage members can also benefit from UPMC Health Plan's Health Care Concierge program. Concierges are local customer service representatives who are knowledgeable about Medicare and are dedicated to answering members' questions and to getting their problems solved with just one phone call.

For the second year in a row, UPMC Health Plan was named the Best in Class Contact Center at the 2016 Call Center Week Excellence Awards. The 2016 Call Center Week Excellence Awards are a production of the International Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC) and honor, recognize, and promote the most innovative contact center solutions and individuals over the past year. The awards are dedicated to recognizing superior thinking, creativity and execution across the full spectrum of contact center functions.

All of UPMC for Life's Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare alone, including low copays for primary care physician visits and complimentary membership at a participating fitness club through Silver&Fit(™). Also, most plans will offer preventive dental coverage.

The UPMC for Life HMO High Deductible plan will have a monthly premium of $23 and UPMC for Life HMO Rx premium cost is at $83 per month for calendar year 2017. In addition, UPMC for Life will offer a $0 premium plan (UPMC forLife HMO) that does not include prescription drug coverage.() This plan is considered ideal for persons who have prescription coverage through the Veterans Administration.

For the first time all UPMC for Life HMO members will have full in-network coverage when traveling to the state of Florida. That means they maintain the same benefits and cost sharing when they see a provider in Florida as they do at home in Pennsylvania.

"UPMC for Life continues to offer great coverage, great value and security to the Medicare beneficiaries of Pennsylvania," said Diane P. Holder, President of UPMC Health Plan. "Our members have the security and peace of mind with in-network access to the top-ranked hospitals as well as the concierge support of our top-quality member services."

Most UPMC for Life plans include preventive dental coverage for cleanings and exams. The UPMC Dental Advantage Medicare benefit includes a $15 copay for one oral exam and cleaning every six months. It also offers a $15 copay for one bitewing x-ray every year.

All UPMC for Life members can take advantage of the Silver&Fit Exercise and Healthy Aging Program. This program provides membership at participating fitness facilities at no additional cost to the member. Moreover, for those who prefer to work out at home, the program provides home fitness kits including walking, Pilates, yoga, dance, and cardio strength.

Additional benefits for all UPMC for Life plans include Assist America, which provides help when travelling more than 100 miles from home or to a foreign country. Help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

* * This award was not given by Medicare. For more information about UPMC for Life's CMS Star Rating go to www.Medicare.gov.

Persons on this plan must continue to pay their 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, premium, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO and PPO plans. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. UPMC for Life is a product of and operated by UPMC Health Plan Inc., UPMC Health Network Inc., and UPMC Health Benefits Inc.

Keywords for this news article include: HMO, Hospital, Medicare, Dentistry, Managed Care, Health Policy, Health Insurance, UPMC Health Plan, Health Maintenance Organizations.

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