Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Expands Medicare PPO
Posted on: Thursday, 4 August 2005, 09:01 CDT
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will offer FreedomBlue, its Medicare PPO, to eligible individuals in an additional 11 Western Pennsylvania counties in August. More than 83,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Elk, Forest, Huntingdon, Jefferson, McKean, Venango, Warren counties and portions of Potter County will now have another product choice. In total, the product will be offered to 635,000 Medicare beneficiaries in 23 additional counties throughout Pennsylvania.
"FreedomBlue costs less than comparable Medicare supplemental coverage, while offering such additional benefits as prescription drug, dental and vision coverage that Medicare does not," said Cynthia Dellecker, Highmark's senior vice president of senior products. "Expanding FreedomBlue's service area will give those eligible for Medicare in these counties another option to meet their insurance needs."
To enroll, seniors must be eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B. The monthly premium will be $130 for coverage that includes a $250 per quarter prescription drug benefit. With FreedomBlue, a preferred provider organization or PPO, members can choose to see a provider who is not part of the FreedomBlue network but will pay more out-of-pocket. Additional benefits include a Medicare-approved drug discount card and access to registered nurses for health education and support through Blues On Call. Members can also receive a gym membership and fitness classes tailored to older adults through the SilverSneakers Fitness(R) program.
Highmark also intends to offer stand-alone Medicare prescription drug coverage in Pennsylvania and West Virginia next year.
Highmark has offered FreedomBlue in 17 Western Pennsylvania counties since 2000; 6,000 members are enrolled in the product. An additional 185,000 members are enrolled in its Medicare Advantage HMO, SecurityBlue, which the company has offered for 10 years.
About Highmark
As one of the state's leading health insurers, Pittsburgh-based Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield serves 3.1 million members in 29 Western Pennsylvania counties. The company's mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to live longer, healthier lives.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
Highmark
CONTACT: Denise Grabner, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield,+1-412-726-2743 or denise.grabner@highmark.com, or Leilyn Perri, Highmark BlueShield, +1-717-302-4243 or leilyn.perri@highmark.com
Source: PRNewswire
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