Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Introduces Enhanced Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan to its Medicare Offering for the 2014 Annual Enrollment Period

Medicare Beneficiaries Now Have Greater Choice and Access to Coordinated Care and Additional Benefits

CHICAGO, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois now have more options for health care coverage that provides them additional choice, flexibility and affordability.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is introducing a new Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD). Beginning on October 15, Medicare eligible individuals can enroll in Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO) ^SM or Blue Cross MedicareRx (PDP) ^SM (Part D) for a January 1, 2014 effective date.

This product expansion, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), builds upon BCBSIL's existing Medicare product portfolio including Medicare Supplement insurance and focuses on providing greater flexibility, lowering health care expenses and increasing access to health care.

"Our enhanced MAPD and Medicare PDP products, along with Medicare Supplement insurance products support our legacy of providing continuous health coverage to our members for more than 75 years. We are committed to providing Medicare-eligible beneficiaries with new offerings that increase choice, flexibility and value tailored to their individual needs," said Mark Owen, President, Government Programs, Health Care Service Corporation. BCBSIL is an operating division of Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), a mutual legal reserve company

BCBSIL's MAPD products include a variety of enhancements such as lower cost sharing, more network options and benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, travel benefits, and worldwide emergency care. In addition, MAPD members can participate in the SilverSneakers^®† Fitness Program, which encourages physical activity through fitness center memberships and social events, at no additional cost in 2014.

"Our Medicare Advantage plans are anchored by primary care physicians and hospital systems that specialize in meeting the needs of our senior population," said Owen. "Our strong network, coupled with new benefits like SilverSneakers^®, will provide seniors with access to benefits and tools that can help them achieve positive health outcomes."

BCBSIL's enhanced 2014 prescription drug plans (PDP) offers lower monthly premiums, reduced cost-sharing at preferred pharmacies, an expansive formulary of generic and brand prescription drugs, and access to 64,000*+ network pharmacies nationwide. The plans include different coverage levels to support the changing needs and lifestyles of the Medicare eligible population including a new Basic plan offering prescription drug copays for some generics as low as $1.

For more information about enrolling, visit www.mybluemapd.com or call 1-877-583-8129, (TTY/TDD: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., local time, 7 days a week to speak to a licensed agent. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Medicare Advantage Plan Notice: Plans available in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties.

HMO and HMO-POS plans provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HCSC's plans depends on contract renewal.

Medicare Part D Plan Notice: Prescription drug plan provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in HISC's plan depends on contract renewal.

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

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