Blue Cross Expands Medicare Advantage Offerings to Include More Plans with Network Flexibility, Extra Benefits for Lower-Income Individuals
2024 Offerings Include Flex Card, Part B Giveback, Dual Eligible Plan

BATON ROUGE – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana today announced it will be offering HMO-POS, PPO and Dual Eligible options for its 2024 Medicare Advantage plans. Plus, all plans include a Flex Card to help pay for certain healthcare expenses. 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, 2024.

Blue Cross offers the Medicare Advantage plans Blue adVantage (HMO-POS), Blue adVantage (HMO-POS D-SNP), and Blue adVantage (PPO) to individuals across the state, plus Group Medicare Advantage plans for employers. The HMO-POS plans allow out-of-network care in certain instances, while the D-SNP plan is for those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid with cost-sharing assistance.

Depending on the 2024 plan you choose, you can get:

• Over $1,900 on a Flex Card to pay for certain healthcare expenses (benefit restrictions/maximums apply)
o Prescription hearing aids
o Eyewear like eyeglasses and contact lenses from a choice of hundreds of participating providers and retailers 
o Over-the-counter health-related products at major retailers or online

• $600 Part B Giveback – get $50 back into your Social Security check each month

• 100% in-network coverage for Medicare-covered preventive and wellness care

• $0 deductible for in-network medical services

• $0 copay for in-network primary care provider visits, including 24/7 online medical visits
through BlueCare

• Specialist visits without a referral

• Prescription drug options that cover you from your first dollar of expense – no deductible

• $0 copay for up to a three-month supply of Tier 1 generics at preferred retail pharmacies and
by preferred mail order

• Dental benefits, including two cleanings and two exams per year

• No-cost fitness center membership (non-D-SNP plans)

• Monthly combined allowance for healthy foods and over-the-counter health-related products (D-SNP plans)

• Transportation benefit with 84 one-way trips per year (D-SNP plans)

• Personal emergency response system (D-SNP and Reliance plans)

“We are always looking for ways to give Medicare beneficiaries more value in their plans, while also keeping premiums affordable,” said Sheldon Faulk, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Government Business at Blue Cross. “Our 2024 plans do just that by providing a range of premium options to fit every budget. We’ve also increased the amount of our Part B Giveback, while still offering it with a $0 monthly premium. With our new Dual Eligible plan, we can offer the benefit of a Blue Advantage plan to those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid with cost-sharing assistance.” 

How to Get Help Picking a Plan
Blue Cross Medicare experts are available by phone to answer questions and help beneficiaries 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.bcbsla.com/blueadvantage or call 1-800-568-1417 (TTY 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.

Medicare beneficiaries are also encouraged to use the following resources to learn more about Medicare:

Medicare Made Easy Virtual Educational Events

Blue Cross hosts a Medicare Made Easy broadcast 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. Visit http://www.facebook.com/bcbsla for more details or to see recordings of past broadcasts.
Questions can be posted before, during or after the event. 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 @BCBSLA for updates about online educational events, health tips and more. Blue Cross posts often on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. 

Medicare 101 and Enrollment 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 also can see recordings of past Medicare Made Easy educational events on the YouTube channel. Subscribe to know when new videos are added. 

To promote fraud awareness, Blue Cross is sharing a 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 helped him stay covered.  

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Blue Advantage from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana 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.