Regence Looks to Expand Medicare Advantage Service Areas in 2008
Company also plans to continue serving current markets; all moves subject to CMS approval
September 17, 2007
BOISE – Regence BlueShield of Idaho announced today it plans to expand its Medicare Advantage service areas in 2008, subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Regence will continue to serve all of its current MedAdvantage markets, also subject to approval from the CMS.
MedAdvantage is a PPO that Regence offers as part of the federal Medicare Advantage program. The company offers Medicare beneficiaries a suite of options, including Medicare Supplement, MedAdvantage PPO (with or without Part D) and stand alone Part D prescription plans. The MedAdvantage PPO is one of the most popular products in this portfolio.
Regence now offers MedAdvantage plans in seven counties in Idaho, including Ada, Bingham, Bonneville, Canyon, Kootenai, Madison and Nez Perce. Pending final approval from the CMS, the company will expand availability of MedAdvantage to 11 more counties in Idaho, including Bannock, Boise, Bonner, Elmore, Jefferson, Latah, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Shoshone as well as Asotin, Washington.
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 are very excited about the opportunity to expand our service areas for 2008. MedAdvantage is popular with many of our members, who appreciate the value it provides in return for their health care dollar. We believe making MedAdvantage available to more of our Medicare beneficiaries is the best way to ensure that our members have access to the best coverage possible," said Cary Badger, vice president of Market Development for Regence.
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.
