MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin (Anthem) is expanding/offering its $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans with four plans in two additional counties for 2018, bringing the total to 28 counties where Anthem will make plans available to Medicare-eligible Wisconsinites. This expansion complements an already 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 David McNichols, Medicare president of Anthem’s central 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 Access (PPO), or Anthem MediBlue Core (PPO).
Wisconsinites 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).
“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 McNichols.
In addition to Medicare Advantage plans, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Wisconsin 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. MAPD will also add more hypertension medications for a $0 copay 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 a $0 monthly
premium plan and includes benefits such as $0 copay for an annual oral
exam, $0 for an annual dental cleaning, $0 copay for an annual eye
exam, a $150 benefit for eye glasses or contact lenses, $0 copay for
an annual hearing exam, and a $3,000 benefit for hearing aids each
year. They also receive a quarterly stipend to pay for certain
over-the-counter health products and membership to SilverSneakers, a
fitness program tailored to older adults.
A new benefit for the 2018 year is that members now have access to 10 days of meals (2 per day) after a member leaves the hospital. This meal benefit aims to help members recover quicker after being discharged. Members also have access to a personal emergency response system (PERS). PERS gives members the ability to maintain their independence and delay, or possibly eliminate, the need to utilize assisted living services.
This plan is available in the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Taylor, Waukesha, and Winnebago. -
Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) offers enrollees $0 copay for an
annual oral exam, dental cleaning, eye exam, and hearing exam. Members
also receive a $3,000 benefit for hearing aids each year 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 carries a $37 monthly premium and is available in the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Fond Du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Rock, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, and Winnebago. For residents in the following counties this plan carries a $43 monthly premium: Dodge, Marathon, Marinette, Oconto, Portage, Waupaca, and Waushara. -
Anthem MediBlue Core (PPO) offers enrollees a $0 monthly
premium plan and benefits such as $0 copay for an annual oral
exam, dental cleaning, eye exam, and hearing exam. Members also
receive a $3,000 benefit for hearing aids each year and membership to
SilverSneakers. As with the other PPO, this plan may have higher
out-of-pocket costs because it offers members more flexibility to see
clinicians inside and outside of the network. This plan does not offer
prescription drug benefits and is appropriate for beneficiaries who
have creditable drug coverage through another source.
This plan is available in the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Rock, Shawano, Sheboygan, Taylor, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, and Winnebago.
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, 6 podiatry appointments per year with $0 copay, a quarterly stipend to pay for certain over-the-counter health products, the personal emergency response system (PERS), SilverSneakers, and 10 days of post-discharge meals (2 per day).
This plan is available to dual-eligible individuals residing in the following counties: Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Milwaukee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Taylor, Waukesha, and Winnebago.
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 Wisconsin 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. LUS CEEV: Yog tias koj hais lus Hmoob, cov kev pab txog lus, muaj kev pab dawb rau koj. Hu rau 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 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWI), Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare), and Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Company (WCIC). BCBSDWI underwrites or administers the PPO and indemnity policies and underwrites the out of network benefits in POS policies offered by Compcare or WCIC; Compcare underwrites or administers HMO or POS policies; WCIC underwrites or administers Well Priority HMO or POS policies. 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 and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AnthemBCBS_News and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.