Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Introduces SmartSense and Premier PPO Plans, Price-Conscious Individual Plans Targeted at the Uninsured
COBRA Alternative: SmartSense Premiums start at $1.37/Day
LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 11 /PRNewswire/ — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky has introduced two suites of PPO health coverage plans called SmartSense and Premier that will provide Kentuckians with affordable options for individual health coverage.
SmartSense is a new price-conscious, choice-driven health benefit plan ideal for “early” retirees, students, and many of the uninsured who work for small firms that don’t offer health insurance. Many of these individuals don’t think they can afford coverage or are unaware there are low cost options available to them.
“SmartSense addresses this need and is an affordable avenue for individuals to obtain basic health care coverage,” said Deb Moessner, president and general manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. “Most individual plans in the market today offer limited choices. SmartSense provides a range of deductible options that allow you to choose a price level that will fit your needs – and is one of our lower priced products, with premiums ranging from as little as $41 to $124 per month for a healthy 25-year old male.”
The SmartSense plans provide coverage for up to three physician office visits a year before a member has to meet a deductible, and a choice of prescription drug coverage options.
SmartSense is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles, starting at $500 that allow Kentucky consumers to find a premium they can afford. Plans offer:
– $35 co-payment for the first three doctor visits (primary care or
specialist) per person each year before the deductible is met. After
three visits, members pay a 30 percent coinsurance once the deductible
is met.
– Once the deductible is met, there is a 30 percent coinsurance for
eligible hospital and surgical charges up to $3,500 out-of-pocket per
year. Any remaining eligible hospital and surgical charges will be
covered at 100 percent of the allowable charge.
– Choice of prescription drug benefits (comprehensive Rx or Generic Only
Rx)
– Deductible choices range from $500 to $10,000 with optional benefits
such as dental, and life at an additional cost.
– Coverage up to $7,000,000 per member in lifetime benefits.
Anthem’s Premier plan is designed for Kentuckians who want the security of a comprehensive benefit design with unlimited office visit co-payments, first dollar preventive care coverage and lower out of pocket costs. This PPO plan is also a good choice for Kentucky families with children, or those planning to have children, young adults, and for those who have lost their jobs and the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage available to them is too expensive.
Comprehensive prescription drug coverage is included with no deductible for generic drugs and a separate deductible for specialty and brand name prescription drugs. The Premier plan provides unlimited coverage for office visits before having to meet a deductible, provides preventive care health benefits before having to meet a deductible, and offers the ability to add maternity coverage and an optional upgrade on prescription drug coverage.
“If you find yourself between jobs it is important to examine whether COBRA coverage or an individual health coverage plan is the best fit for you and your family,” said Moessner. “While the recent federal stimulus plan does provide some price relief for laid off workers who elect COBRA, that price break only lasts for the first nine months of the 18-month COBRA coverage, and after that point, individuals will have to pay full fare for COBRA. Depending on what your monthly COBRA payments would cost, you may find that purchasing an individual policy is the more cost-effective choice.”
“Anthem’s goal is to reduce the percentage of Kentuckians who are uninsured,” said Moessner. “As we move forward, we’ll continue to focus on providing affordable plans that maintain the high quality and value-added benefits consumers have come to expect from us.”
Anthem members choosing SmartSense and Premier PPO plans have access to more than 18,000 Kentucky PPO network doctors and specialists and hospitals across the state. SmartSense and Premier also provide coverage outside the state of Kentucky through the Blue Card program. Term life and dental plans are also available at an additional cost.
For more information about SmartSense, Premier and other Anthem products, contact your local Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield agent, call 1-800-742-8199 or visit us at www.anthem.com.
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. (R)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 Kentucky is available at www.anthem.com.
Source: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky
CONTACT: Tony Felts of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky,
+1-502-889-3167, tony.felts@anthem.com
Web Site: http://www.anthem.com/
