ALBANY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire BlueCross (Empire) today announced that heading into next year, Empire’s 2018 Medicare Advantage HMO plans will be rated four stars – with five stars being the best rating – by the Medicare Star Ratings program issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Empire offers these plans in 15 counties throughout New York. Last week, the CMS released their latest Star Ratings, which gives health plans scores for the quality and performance of their services.
“Empire’s continued commitment to giving our members access to high-quality, affordable health care is one of the main reasons our plans achieved high Star Ratings this year,” said Tomas Orozco, president of the company’s Medicare east region. “We are grateful for our network of providers who collaborate with us to ensure that we’re delivering the quality and performance members expect from their health plan. We will continue to partner with our members to ensure we are providing them with the benefits they want, in order to meet their health care and lifestyle needs.”
Empire MediBlue Plus (HMO), Empire MediBlue Select (HMO), Empire MediBlue Core (HMO), Empire MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS), and Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) received four stars from CMS.
- Empire MediBlue Plus (HMO) is available in Albany, Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties.
- Empire MediBlue Select (HMO) is available in Dutchess, Orange, and Putnam counties.
- Empire MediBlue Core (HMO) is available in Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Saratoga, and Westchester counties.
- Empire MediBlue Choice (HMO-POS) is available in Kings and Nassau counties.
- Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP) is in available Albany, Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Schenectady, and Westchester counties.
“We are pleased that CMS has recognized our efforts to improve the health outcomes and experiences of our current plan members and those we hope to have the privilege of serving in the future,” Orozco added.
The CMS’ Medicare Star Rating system rates the quality and performance of Medicare Advantage plans to help consumers and their families compare plans. Medicare Advantage plans are rated on their ability to:
- Help members stay healthy
- Assist members in managing chronic conditions
- Ensure positive member experiences with their health plan
- Achieve member satisfaction
- Provide effective customer service
Additionally, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are rated on how well they provide medication coverage along a number of factors: customer service, member complaints, member experience with drug plan, and drug safety.
Star Ratings are calculated each year using a scale of one to five stars, and may change from year to year. The annual Medicare Star Ratings are posted online at www.medicare.gov.
Consumers can enroll in Empire’s 2018 Medicare Advantage plans during Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP), which begins October 15, 2017 and continues through December 7, 2017. Plans purchased during AEP are effective January 1, 2018. For details about Empire’s Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 866-4242 or visit Empire’s Medicare online store at https://shop.empireblue.com/medicare.
Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
Empire BlueCross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Empire BlueCross is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a coordination of benefits agreement with the New York Medicaid program. Empire BlueCross is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Empire BlueCross 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. 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電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. The provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.
About Empire BlueCross
Empire BlueCross (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Empire BlueCross HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EmpireBCBS_News and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskEmpire.