Regence Expands MedAdvantage Market, Hits the Road to Educate Seniors
Beginning October 1, Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about coverage options that also include Part D prescription plan
October 2, 2007
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Contact:
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Mike Tatko
208.798.2221 |
As the annual election period for Medicare nears, Regence BlueShield of Idaho is ramping up its efforts to educate Medicare beneficiaries about their options. New this year is the expanded availability of MedAdvantage products in a total of 18 counties across the state.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho now offers MedAdvantage plans in seven counties in Idaho, including Ada, Bingham, Bonneville, Canyon, Kootenai, Madison and Nez Perce. The company will expand availability of MedAdvantage to 11 more counties in Idaho, including Bannock, Boise, Bonner, Elmore, Jefferson, Latah, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power and Shoshone, as well as Asotin County in Washington state.
MedAdvantage is a PPO that Regence offers as part of the federal Medicare Advantage program. Regence MedAdvantage provides richer benefits than Original Medicare, which include a large PPO network with assured access, lower out-of-pocket costs and routine vision. Regence offers Medicare beneficiaries a suite of options, including Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription plans. Regence MedAdvantage is one of the most popular products in this portfolio.
The annual election period for Medicare runs from November 15 to December 31, 2007, offering Medicare beneficiaries the chance to sign up for the first time or switch to a new plan. Regence will conduct a series of free seminars throughout the state, where Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about MedAdvantage and Medicare Part D, have their questions answered and receive assistance with enrollment.
Regence's decision to expand its service area for MedAdvantage represents the company's continued commitment to serving the needs of Medicare beneficiaries with products and services that meet their needs for choice, affordability and access.
"We've been with Medicare since the beginning so we recognize the value of a product like Regence MedAdvantage, which delivers a high return for our beneficiaries' health care dollar," said Cary Badger, vice president of Market Development for Regence. "Our decision to make Regence MedAdvantage available to more of our community reflects our members' high level of satisfaction with this product."
With Regence MedAdvantage, seniors benefit from a large PPO network with assured access, no referrals to a specialist, a flat $5 co-payment for in-network office visits, low out-of-pocket costs, a $500 dental benefit for routine preventive care and a 24-hour nurse hotline. The Regence Advantages program also offers savings on things like Beltone hearing aids and the Jenny Craig weight management program.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho will hold educational seminars throughout Idaho from October to December.
Seminars are scheduled for Sandpoint, Wallace, Hayden, Coeur d’Alene, Moscow, Lewiston, Nampa, Caldwell, Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Idaho Falls and other smaller communities throughout the state.
Registration is required. Medicare beneficiaries may call 1-888-REGENCE
(1-888-734-3623) or visit http://www.id.regence.com/docs/medicare2007/medAdvantageMeetings.pdf for more information or to register for a seminar. TTY users may call 1-800-382-1003.
Regence BlueShield of Idaho
Regence BlueShield of Idaho is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a member of Regence, the largest affiliation of health care plans in the Pacific Northwest / Mountain State region, serving nearly 3 million people with health, life, vision, dental and long-term care insurance. Regence BlueShield of Idaho has more than 800 employees statewide with offices in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Pocatello and Twin Falls. For more information and available health-related resources, members may visit www.myRegence.com and check their claims, get fitness and nutrition tips, learn about medical conditions, medications and formulary information, search for doctors and research costs and care options.
