Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Emphasizes Better Health through New Medicare Advantage Plans in New Hampshire, Provider Collaboration, Extra Benefits

MANCHESTER, N.H--()--As Medicare’s primary sales season gets under way, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) is emphasizing better health in New Hampshire through provider collaboration agreements and new Medicare Advantage plans with extra benefits.

This includes provider collaboration plans in some areas and traditional HMOs for the general population. Anthem Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPD) continue to offer significant benefits not available in Original Medicare, including dental and vision coverage.

“Even with the Medicare reimbursement environment changing, we think it’s critical to structure our plans to provide our members with real value over Original Medicare, including extra benefits and strong local alliances,” said John Caby, president of Anthem’s Medicare east region.

Following are some specifics on Anthem MAPD plans that will be available for the Annual Election Period, or AEP, which begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Anthem offers MAPD plans in Cheshire, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford counties. Plans are effective Jan. 1, 2016.

New plans. Anthem is launching a new HMO Plan (HMO) called Anthem MediBlue Coordination Plus (HMO), which emphasizes care coordination with attractive supplemental benefits, in Hillsborough, Rockingham, Grafton, Cheshire, Merrimack and Strafford counties. Although this plan is open to all members, it may be an especially good fit for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. In fact, it is available for $0 premium to those who are eligible for both.

Anthem also is launching both a traditional Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) HMO plan called Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) and a MAPD Local PPO plan called Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) in Cheshire, Merrimack and Strafford counties.

Provider collaboration. To improve member health and lower member costs, Anthem continues to implement provider collaboration agreements. To date, Anthem has more than 70 New Hampshire medical providers participating in Medicare provider collaboration agreements, covering more than 200 of its members.

More $0 generics. Anthem is enhancing its Medicare pharmacy benefits in 2016. Both Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) and MAPD plans will feature a “Select Tier” with selected generic drugs for a $0 copay at preferred pharmacies, including some drugs that treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Anthem also has several PDP plans that offer certain generics in the coverage gap for a $0 copay. Anthem has about 100 preferred pharmacies in New Hampshire, including CVS/pharmacy, Hannaford, Target and Wal-Mart (Sam’s Club).

In addition to MAPD plans, Anthem offers Medicare Supplement plans and standalone PDP plans across New Hampshire. Medicare Supplement plans help cover costs Original Medicare doesn’t, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. These plans offer access to any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare, generally for a higher premium than an MAPD. They are generally paired with a PDP.

“We pride ourselves in being one of the nation’s only insurers that can offer a full continuum of Medicare products, including something for every budget and lifestyle,” Caby said.

For details about Anthem Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 878-1101 or visit Anthem’s Medicare online store at www.anthem.com/shop. Anthem will be holding educational events and home visits throughout AEP.

Anthem is a PPO plan, an HMO plan and a PDP with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem 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 Jan. 1 of each year. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc., HMO plans are administered by Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. and underwritten by Matthew Thornton Health Plan, Inc. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire is available at www.anthem.com. Also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AskAnthem or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.

Contacts

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire
Doug Bennett Jr., (502) 889-2103
doug.bennettjr@anthem.com

Release Summary

Anthem emphasizes better health with new Medicare Advantage plans in New Hampshire for AEP.

Contacts

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire
Doug Bennett Jr., (502) 889-2103
doug.bennettjr@anthem.com