LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and AmericasHealth Plan (AHP) have teamed up to provide proactive, patient-centered health care to individuals covered under Anthem Medicare Advantage plans available in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County. Both organizations view this collaboration as leading to more coordinated care that emphasizes preventive health and better management of chronic conditions, resulting in healthier patients, and reducing avoidable treatments and unnecessary costs.
AmericasHealth Plan is headquartered in Ventura, CA and, through this collaboration, enters into an agreement that includes risk-based payments. This means clinicians will be rewarded based on working with their patients, focusing more on preventive care, and making care coordination a priority – all of which work to keep patients healthier.
“AHP builds upon the 45-year legacy of our parent company, Clinicas del Camino Real as a member of this community and has the experience delivering health care to the residents of Ventura County,” said Dr. Enrique De la Garza, chief executive officer of AHP. “This new collaboration is a major step forward in enhancing health care in the San Fernando Valley. We have one of the largest, comprehensive networks of health care providers in Southern California so we are able to give patients a one-stop health care experience, by coordinating between their primary care provider, care manager, specialists, and hospitals, if needed.”
Californians enrolled in the plans listed below are able to see AHP’s doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals as in-network providers and access a variety of benefits not available with Original Medicare or Medi-Cal alone.
- Anthem MediBlue Select (HMO) offers members a $0 premium and features low out-of-pocket costs, including $0 copays for primary care visits, specialist visits, and hospital stays, as well as free transportation to medical visits. This plan is available in San Fernando Valley.
- Anthem MediBlue Coordination Plus (HMO) offers a $0 premium for individuals with Medicare and qualifying Medi-Cal. Members also get free transportation for medical and pharmacy visits; money toward the purchase of over-the-counter healthcare items, such as vitamins; $300 toward eyewear; and up to $2,000 per year toward the purchase of dental services, such as dentures, crowns and oral surgery. This plan is available in San Fernando Valley.
- Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) has a $0 premium, features low out-of-pocket costs, and is offered in Ventura County.
- Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP), also available in Ventura County, features a $0 premium for those with Medicare and qualifying Medi-Cal, $0 copay for routine foot care; free transportation for medical and pharmacy visits; $300 toward eyewear; and up to $400 per year toward the purchase of dental services, such as dentures, crowns and oral surgery.
All four plans offer, at no additional cost to members, extra dental, vision, and hearing benefits; monthly access to the SilverSneakers® fitness program; and money toward the purchase of hearing aids.
“Anthem Blue Cross and AHP share the same goal, and together we will be able to deliver high-quality, affordable health care to the members we are privileged to serve,” said Josh Martin, president of Anthem’s Medicare west region. “We are working with AHP in this region because they have a long history of providing quality care to seniors – so they get what they want, when they want it, how they want it. For example, AHP has care providers who can speak English, Spanish, and Mixteco, allowing them to better connect with patients in this community, develop trusting relationships, and provide medical care and counsel that is culturally appropriate.”
Martin added that this collaboration will make health care easier for seniors who are eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare – also known as dual eligible. Specifically, individuals who are Medicare-eligible and already use AHP’s network of clinics under their Medi-Cal plan, will now have the choice to continue seeing the same AHP doctors and nurses when they also enroll in either Anthem MediBlue Coordination Plus or Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage, plans designed for individuals who are dual eligible.
“Cost of care continues to be an important issue for seniors living on a fixed income, particularly with more than half of the dual eligible population living on $10,000 a year or less,” added Martin. “This collaboration between our organizations reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality care, while allowing our members to live the life they’ve earned.”
Individuals who are eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage can go to www.anthem.com/ca/medicare/ to learn more about Anthem MediBlue Select, Anthem MediBlue Coordination Plus, Anthem MediBlue Plus, and Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage plans. For more information about health care services available through AmericasHealth Plan, individuals can visit www.americashp.com.
Anthem Blue Cross is a Medicare Advantage Organization with a Medicare contract. For Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans: Anthem Blue Cross is a D-SNP plan with a Medicare Contract and a contract with the California Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross 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 January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 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. Premium, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. Other providers are available in our network.
About Anthem Blue Cross
Anthem Blue Cross is the trade name of Blue Cross of California. Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. ® ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Association. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AskAnthem and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.
About AmericasHealth Plan
AmericasHealth Plan (AHP) is a fully-licensed health organization based in Ventura, CA, which serves Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. AHP's Provider network is comprised of more than 5,500 physicians and 13 hospitals including some of the nation's leading health care facilities. AHP was founded by Clinicas del Camino Real, a Federally-Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a system of neighborhood clinics delivering care more than 45 years to historically under-served communities.