Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Zero, Zero, Zero Medicare Advantage Health Benefits Plan Offers Economic Relief for Medicare Eligible Population
Zero dollar premiums, zero primary care doctor’s office co-pays, zero dollar
co-pay for preferred generic prescriptions and zero co-pay for preventive
screenings
Louisville, Ky.– November, 10, 2009 – In tough economic times Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is offering Zero, Zero, Zero Medicare Advantage plans that allow Medicare eligible individuals in metro Louisville to take care of themselves without hurting their wallets.
The Anthem Medicare Advantage health benefits plan offers Zero dollar premiums, Zero primary care doctor’s office co-pays, Zero dollar co-pay for preferred generic prescriptions including coverage through the gap, and Zero co-pay for preventive screenings to Medicare eligible individuals in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham Counties.
“We are not only committed to the health and well-being of the growing Medicare population, but to helping Medicare members in the Louisville area manage their health care costs,” said Dr. Anthony Nguyen, medical director for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Medicare business. “We do not want our members to skip important preventive screenings, doctor’s visits or medications because they cannot afford to pay for them so we have taken that factor out of the equation by offering this plan.”
Preventive services covered at $0 co-pay include routine physical exams, Medicare-covered bone mass measurement, colorectal screenings, prostate cancer screenings, mammograms, Pap smears and pelvic exams. By comparison, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare, rather than a Zero, Zero, Zero Medicare Advantage plan offered by Anthem, would be covered for one physical exam within the first 12 months of their new Medicare Part B coverage with 20 percent co-insurance, and 20 percent co-insurance for several preventive services including bone mass measurement, colorectal screenings, mammograms, and pelvic exams.
Providing Medicare members access to preventive care is crucial to improving the health of Medicare beneficiaries and controlling health care costs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), increased emphasis on disease prevention is key to addressing the looming impact of chronic disease and other illnesses, disabling injuries, and long-term health care costs among older Americans.
“Wow! $0 premium, $0 office visits, $0 generic prescriptions for starters,” said Walter R. Braden, Jr., principal of Braden Insurance Agency in Louisville. “Perfect timing for seniors in today’s economy. Then add in a low maximum out of pocket, no referrals and preferred generics in the gap and you get exactly what you would expect from Anthem.”
“Zero, Zero, Zero Medicare Advantage health benefit plans provide the financial relief and peace of mind our Medicare members are looking for during these difficult economic times,” said Deb Moessner, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “We are committed to providing affordable plan options that meet the needs of this growing segment of our population.”
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare HMO and PPO members seeking more information about these innovative and economical Zero, Zero, Zero health benefit plans should call 1-800-467-1199. Anthem Private Fee For Service members can call 1-888-445-8916 to learn more about the Zero, Zero, Zero health benefit plans. All interested parties can obtain more information about these plans by visiting the Anthem web site at www.anthem.com/medicare
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. ®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.
Media Contacts: Tony Felts, 317-287-6036
Janice Kyser, 805-557-6755
/PRNewswire — Nov. 10/
Source: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky
Web Site: http://www.anthem.com/
