SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine (Anthem) is expanding its $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans with four plans in two additional counties for 2018, serving a total of 6 Maine counties. This expansion complements a robust portfolio of health plans Anthem offers in the state. All of these plans are available for enrollment in this year’s Medicare annual election period (AEP).
The opportunity to enroll in a Medicare plan begins October 15 and continues through December 7. This is the one time each year when most people can pick or switch Medicare Advantage plans.
“Once again, we are privileged to offer consumers a variety of Medicare Advantage products, because we believe it’s important for consumers to have options as they look for the plan that fits their health care needs in 2018,” said Tomas Orozco, Medicare president of Anthem’s east region. “We put our experience to work to give members high-quality, affordable health care, allowing them to live the life they’ve earned.”
For 2018 insurance plans, individuals eligible for Medicare – people 65 years and older and those with certain disabilities – are able to enroll in Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO), Anthem MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS), or Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO).
Mainers who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid – also known as dual-eligible – have the option of enrolling in Anthem’s dual-eligible plan – Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP).
All of the plans include LiveHealth Online and SilverSneakers, offered at $0 copay. LiveHealth Online is an innovative way to connect with board-certified doctors through two-way live video using a smart phone, tablet, or computer with a webcam. Doctors are available 24/7 with less than a ten minute wait.
“Anthem is one of the nation’s only insurers that can offer a full continuum of Medicare products, including something for every budget and lifestyle,” added Orozco.
In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Maine counties for people who enroll in Original Medicare, a government-sponsored program. Both the MA Prescription Drug (MAPD) and Part D drug plans utilize a preferred pharmacy network to help members save costs. This preferred cost-sharing pharmacy network will continue to be offered in 2018. The MAPD plan will also add more medications to the existing list of $0 copay medications that treat hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol and osteoporosis - some of Medicare’s most common conditions and utilized prescription drugs.
Anthem also offers Medicare Supplement plans to Original Medicare enrollees all across the state. These plans help cover costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.
Information about Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.
Anthem Medicare Advantage plans for individuals eligible for Medicare:
- Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) offers enrollees benefits such as $0 copay for an annual eye exam; $0 copay for an annual oral exam; $0 copay for an annual dental cleaning; and membership to SilverSneakers, a fitness program tailored to older adults. This plan is available in the following counties for a $0 monthly premium: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, and York. This plan is also available in Penobscot County for a $47 monthly premium.
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Anthem MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS) includes benefits such as $0
copay for an annual eye exam, $0 copay for an annual oral exam, $0
copay for an annual dental cleaning, and membership to SilverSneakers.
This plan is available in the following counties for a $22 monthly
premium: Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, and York. This plan
is also available in Penobscot County for a $76 monthly premium.
- Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) has benefits such as $0 copay for an annual eye exam, $0 copay for an annual oral exam, $0 copay for an annual dental cleaning, and membership to SilverSneakers. The plan offers members more flexibility to see clinicians inside and outside of the network, with higher out-of-pocket costs when seeing doctors who are not in the network. This plan is available in Androscoggin and Cumberland counties for a $93 monthly premium.
Anthem Medicare Advantage plan for dual-eligible individuals:
- Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) is a $0 premium plan that gives members a number of competitive plan benefits, such as preventive vision and comprehensive dental coverage, a $3,000 hearing aid benefit per year, a $30 quarterly stipend to pay for certain over-the-counter health products, 40 one-way trips to pharmacy and medical visits with 60-mile limits for each trip, and SilverSneakers membership. This plan is available to dual-eligible individuals residing in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, and York counties.
For details about Anthem’s Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 866-4242 or visit Anthem’s Medicare online store at https://shop.anthem.com/medicare.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Maine Medicaid program. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield 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. We do not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. ATTENTION: Si vous parlez français, des services d'aide linguistique vous sont proposés gratuitement. Appelez le 1-888-230-7338 (ATS : 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. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross 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 and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemBC_News and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.