Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Expands Discounts on Medicare Supplement Plans

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is upping the ante in the competitive market to serve Arizona’s seniors by increasing the size and extending the duration and eligible age limit for early enrollment discounts on its Medicare supplement plans.

BCBSAZ’s improved discount program knocks as much as 32 percent off of the first year’s premiums for an eligible 65-year-old, extends the duration of the discounts from 5 to 10 years, and raises the eligible age limit for the discounts from 65½ through 67. The changes are effective for plans beginning January 1, 2009.

“Today’s challenging economic conditions are causing many would-be retirees to delay their retirement plans and many current retirees to evaluate their health insurance to ensure they are getting the best value,” said Richard L. Boals, president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. “We have a strong base in the senior market, and we anticipate even more growth as retirees seek to maximize their investment in health insurance by taking advantage of these richer discounts.”

Previously, BCBSAZ members who enrolled in the company’s Medicare supplement plans were eligible for a 25 percent discount on their first year of premiums if they applied before they turned 65½ years old.

The new program offers a 32 percent discount on the first year of premiums if the eligible senior enrolls at age 65, a 28.8 percent discount on the first year of premiums for enrollment at age 66, and a 25.6 percent discount applicable to the first year of premiums for enrollment at age 67. The amount of the discount decreases by 3.2 percent each year until the person reaches age 75 so long as the person is continuously enrolled in the plan. Previously, the discounts decreased 5 percent annually until the member reached age 70.

This improved discount program is part of BCBSAZ’s ongoing efforts to provide health insurance products that meet the demands of today’s market and provide the best value in health insurance to Arizonans. For more information about BCBSAZ Medicare Supplement plans, visit www.azblue.com/senior.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to nearly 1.3 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson, the company employs more than 1,500 Arizonans. For information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and its community programs such as WalkingWorks, please visit www.azblue.com.