Blue Cross and Blue Shield announces expansion of BlueMedicare Plans

Blue Cross and Blue Shield announces expansion of BlueMedicare Plans

POSTED 10/08/2008 - Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) yesterday announced they will expand their HMO and PPO plans into multiple new counties in Florida.

"It is increasingly necessary to manage health care costs demands with sound planning and innovative ideas," says Barbara Benevento, BCBSF group vice president for Senior Markets. "By expanding our BlueMedicare HMO and PPO plans to additional counties we've increased access to our high quality, comprehensive coverage plans for more beneficiaries."

The BlueMedicare PPO is for people who want an affordable plan and also want the freedom to go out-of-network if they choose and still have coverage. BlueMedicare PPO provides comprehensive benefits, offers low, predictable co-payments and includes coverage for prescription drugs and dental benefits with monthly premiums ranging from $21 to $76 per month. BlueMedicare PPO is currently available in Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties. The PPO plan offerings are being expanded into seven new counties: Alachua, Charlotte, Collier, Hernando, Highlands, Okaloosa and Osceola.

BlueMedicare HMO is a low-cost alternative plan that includes prescription drug coverage and a dental benefit at no additional charge. BlueMedicare HMO members pay no monthly premium, no deductible and low co-payments. Additionally, there are no referrals required to see most participating specialists. BlueMedicare HMO is currently available in Broward, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Polk counties. In addition to these counties, the HMO offering is being expanded into Pasco county.

BCBSF's BlueMedicare Solutions suite of products also includes the Private-Fee-For-Service plan (PFFS). An alternative to original Medicare, BlueMedicare PFFS offers a premium that's lower than a Medicare supplement plan and includes prescription drug coverage. The premium for this plan is $128 per month, and includes fixed co-payments. PFFS members can use any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare and agrees to the plan's terms and conditions of payment.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is a leader in Florida's health industry. BCBSF and its subsidiaries serve more than 8.8 million people. Since 1944, the company has been dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all those it serves by offering a portfolio of product choices. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its Web site at www.bcbsfl.com.