Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage Adds Scottsdale Healthcare to Medicare Advantage Network

PHOENIX, Oct. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage, an affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), is expanding its physician network to better serve Scottsdale-area residents. By contracting with Scottsdale Healthcare Hospitals and Scottsdale Health Partners, members of a Blue Medicare Advantage (HMO) plan now have the option of selecting doctors within the Banner Health Network or Scottsdale Health Partners.

Scottsdale Healthcare Hospitals include:

• Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center
• Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center
• Thompson Peak Hospital

"As a local company, we have the benefit of being able to talk with Arizonans directly about what they want from their healthcare plan," said Bill Harris, chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage. "They've made it very clear they want the freedom to choose their doctors…close to home. Adding Scottsdale Healthcare to the network of our Blue Medicare Advantage plans, members will have expanded access to care."

BCBSAZ will also continue to offer six Medicare supplement plans and two Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) statewide.

To help Arizonans pick the right plan and understand their options, BCBSAZ developed several tools and resources including videos, which can be found at www.yourazmedicaresolutions.com and www.azbluemedicare.com.

The Medicare Annual Election Period for 2014 is October 15 through December 7, 2013. Coverage takes effect on January 1, 2014. The annual election period hasn't changed for Medicare, and it is different than the new Affordable Care Act open enrollment period which ends March 31.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is a Prescription Drug Plan with a Medicare contract. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BCBSAZ and BCBSAZ Advantage depends on contract renewal. For more information about Medicare plans, call (888) 288-0019, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday - Friday. TTY hearing impaired users, call 711.

Visit us online at www.yourazmedicaresolutions.com and www.azbluemedicare.com.

About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Advantage are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. 

SOURCE Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona