Baton Rouge, LA) – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana today announced it has added a new statewide Medicare Advantage PPO plan with a $0 monthly premium to its 2022 plan options. The Medicare annual enrollment period runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7. During this time, anyone on Medicare can enroll in plans or make changes, with coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2022.
Blue Cross offers the Medicare Advantage plans Blue Advantage (HMO) and Blue Advantage (PPO) to individuals across the state, plus Group Medicare Advantage plans for employers.
All 2022 Blue Advantage plans include:
• 100% coverage for Medicare-covered preventive and wellness care
• $0 deductible for in-network medical services
• $0 deductible options for prescription drugs
• $0 copay for BlueCare telehealth medical visits
• Specialist visits without a referral
• Vision, hearing and dental benefits, including two dental cleanings and two exams per year
• No-cost fitness center membership or home exercise program
• An allowance for over-the-counter supplies
• Rewards for completing select wellness activities
• Meals following an inpatient hospital stay
“We know that many Medicare beneficiaries are looking for a plan with out-of-network benefits at an affordable price, and we believe that our new $0 PPO plan will help fill this need,” said Sheldon Faulk, senior vice president and chief of Government Business at Blue Cross. “All our Medicare plans come with the peace of mind you get from knowing your coverage is backed by a company that has been protecting Louisianians for more than 85 years.”
To help them stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to use the following remote resources to learn more about Medicare and their plan options for 2022:
Medicare Made Easy Virtual Educational Events
Blue Cross hosts a Medicare Made Easy Facebook Live series where beneficiaries can get their healthcare coverage questions answered by Medicare experts.
All Medicare Made Easy educational events take place on Blue Cross’ Facebook page. A Zoom option also will be available for each event. Events are scheduled for Oct. 26 and Nov. 16. Visit www.facebook.com/BCBSLA for more details about these events.
Questions can be posted before, during or after the event, plus the events can be viewed after the livestream for those who miss them. Check the Facebook page regularly for updates about this series. You can RSVP for the events or share them from your personal Facebook page.
You can connect with Blue Cross on social media for updates about online educational events, health tips and more. Blue Cross posts often on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.
Medicare 101 and AEP Tips Videos
Blue Cross’ Medicare Made Easy YouTube playlist features short videos from in-house experts, including a Medicare 101 video (5:20) that explains the different parts of Medicare and what to consider when picking a plan. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel also has videos about various health topics from Blue Cross’ clinical team, including doctors, nurses, social workers and pharmacists. You can see recordings of past Medicare Made Easy Facebook Live events on the YouTube channel. Subscribe to know when new videos are added.
This year, Blue Cross is sharing a new video, “Mr. Jimmy’s Medicare Advantage Member Story.” (2:48) Mr. Jimmy and his sister, Donna, talk about what happened when his identity was stolen and how his Blue Cross agent, Hope, helped him stay covered.
Expert Advice by Phone
With the COVID-19 pandemic limiting options for in-person assistance, Medicare beneficiaries can still get the help they need remotely. Blue Cross experts are available by phone to answer their questions and help them find a plan that best meets their needs. It doesn’t cost anything to work with an agent, and there is no obligation to enroll.
To learn more about Medicare and Blue Cross plan options, or to connect with an agent, visit www.bcbslaplan.com/medicare or call 1-800-568-1417 (TTY 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is committed to our mission to improve the health and lives of Louisianians. Founded in New Orleans in 1934, we are a tax-paying nonprofit health insurer with offices in every major region to serve our customers. We have been recognized for the past three years as an honoree of The Civic 50, named by Points of Light as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We are a private mutual company, owned by our policyholders, with an independent Louisiana Board of Directors and no shareholders. We invite all Louisianians to visit our website at www.bcbsla.com or talk to us on social media.
For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-833-219-7435 (TTY 711).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana HMO offers Blue Advantage (HMO). Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, offers Blue Advantage (PPO).
Blue Advantage from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana HMO is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Blue Advantage from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in either Blue Advantage plan depends on contract renewal.
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