Philadelphia – December 2, 2019 – The Annual Election Period for Medicare ends on December 7 and Independence Blue Cross (Independence), the region’s leading health insurer, wants to be sure that individuals eligible for Medicare secure a plan that best meets their needs. Some important questions to consider when comparing plans, include:
- Will this plan provide me the richest, most valuable benefits?
- Are the costs reasonable for the value?
- Will it be convenient for me to take advantage of all the benefits?
“The relationship a patient has with their doctor is always important, but especially so when they start to age,” said Independence Medical Director Heidi Syropoulos, M.D., a geriatrician. “That’s why we always remind individuals who are in the process of selecting a new Medicare plan to double check that their doctor, specialist and other health care providers are in the plan’s network. It’s also a good idea for individuals to check the total number of doctors and hospital the plan covers, so that they are prepared for emergencies and don’t have the added burden of worrying whether new specialists are in the plan’s network.”
Independence’s 2020 offerings include a new zero-premium, zero in-network deductible plan called Personal Choice 65SM Prime Rx PPO (Personal Choice 65 Prime). The new plan is available in Independence’s entire five-county service area – Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Personal Choice 65 Prime is one of two zero-premium plans Independence will be offering in 2020, the other is its existing Keystone 65 Basic Rx HMO. Independence will also continue to offer other high-quality, affordable plans that include optional enriched benefits like an annual dental allowance of up to $1,500 and access to all area hospitals. In addition, Independence has added Walgreens to their list of preferred pharmacies.
Prospective members can learn more about Independence’s Medicare offerings by signing up for one of the informational meetings being held now until the end of the year throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. To attend sign up at www.ibxmedicare.com or call 1-877-393-6733 (TTY/TDD:711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. Current members can call the number on the back of their ID card if they have questions about their current Medicare Advantage plan or 2019 options.
Enrollment rules and options
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services generally permits individual Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan only during the six-week annual enrollment period, from October 15 to December 7. In 2019 individuals will also have one opportunity to change to another Medicare plan after January 1, 2019 and before March 31, 2019.
Media Contact:
Diana Quattrone
215-241- 3113 (office)
215-815-7828 (cell)
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com