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Independence Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plans rated among the nation’s best

Keystone 65 HMO is largest plan in the Philadelphia Five-County Region to earn 5 out of 5 stars from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Two Independence Blue Cross (Independence) Medicare Advantage plans have been rated among the nation’s best by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2022 Star Ratings. Independence’s Keystone 65 HMO plan earned a prestigious 5 out of 5 stars – making it the largest plan in the Philadelphia five-county region to earn 5 stars. The organization’s Personal Choice 65SM PPO plan received 4.5 stars, CMS’s second-highest rating.

CMS Star Ratings are published annually. The ratings provide the public with a scorecard on Medicare Advantage plan quality and performance measures (e.g., member compliance with preventive care and screening recommendations, chronic condition management, customer service, access to care, and more). The better a health plan rates, the more financing it can receive to enhance member benefits.

“Earning 5 stars is a significant accomplishment and one that not many Medicare Advantage plans get to experience,” said Daphne Klausner, senior vice president and president of Government Markets at Independence. “We are incredibly proud of this rating and the Independence team’s ongoing commitment to provide members with high-quality, affordable plans, stellar customer service, and access to first-rate care.”

Independence earned high Star Ratings for several reasons, including its ability to do the following:

  • Improve clinical scores and reduce utilization despite office closures during COVID-19.
  • Enhance medication adherence through proactive member support.
  • Invest in products that provided enhanced supplemental benefits.
  • Provide a good customer experience during the pandemic.
  • Waive the cost of copays for acute inpatient hospital stays due to COVID-19 diagnoses, and many other COVID-19-related services.
  • Help members schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments at regional pharmacies and certain health systems.
  • Open its customer and community center, Independence LIVE, as a vaccination site.
  • Make Registered Nurse Health Coaches available 24/7 for member questions.

“The last year has been filled with a lot of fear and anxiety and that can be especially overwhelming for older adults. Our team really went above and beyond. Not only by providing excellent care to our members during an unprecedented time but by participating in additional initiatives like making 12,000 voluntary Calls of Kindness and delivering nearly 40,000 bags of United By Blue groceries to our Medicare Advantage members,” said Brian Lobley, executive vice president, chief operating officer, and president of Health Markets at Independence. “We are grateful for the trust and confidence our members have in us and want them to know we will continue to keep them at the center of all we do.”


Media Contact:
Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828 (cell)
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-Star rating system.

The grocery benefit is provided by United By Blue, an independent company.

Independence Blue Cross offers Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Independence Medicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal.

Independence Blue Cross offers products through its subsidiaries Independence Hospital Indemnity Plan, Keystone Health Plan East and QCC Insurance Company — independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

Notice of nondiscrimination

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