Chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Independence Blue Cross (Independence), a company committed to pursuing equitable, whole-person health, offers Medicare Advantage members high-quality, innovative benefits that help them manage chronic health conditions.
“Being diagnosed with a chronic disease like diabetes or cancer is different than being diagnosed with an acute illness that develops suddenly and only lasts a short time. The psychological challenge of ‘keeping up’ with the disease is probably the biggest issue to face when receiving news that you have a chronic disease. At Independence Blue Cross, we understand how difficult this can be and have developed benefits that offer our members some extra help,” said Heidi Syropoulos, M.D., medical director for Government Markets at Independence.
Independence offers Keystone 65 HMO members with certain health conditions free meals through MANNA for up to four weeks twice a year. This benefit is available to members with both diabetes and congestive heart failure who are recently discharged from a qualifying facility or members with a new diagnosis of colorectal, endometrial, breast, lung, or prostate cancer.
Another benefit provides four weeks of grocery deliveries at no cost from United By Blue. This benefit is included in Keystone 65 HMO, and some Personal Choice 65SM PPO plans for members with both diabetes and depression.
“Offering meals and groceries at no cost can help improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and educate members on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits,” said Dr. Syropoulos. “We also have programs in place to help members monitor their chronic health conditions, like diabetes, and to make the cost of managing them more affordable.”
Independence also offers the Vital Care and Vital Care Plus programs, which give certain Keystone 65 HMO/HMO-POS members with diabetes or both diabetes and congestive heart failure lower copays for visits to certain specialists. These programs are designed to help make medical appointments more affordable for members who need to see several specialists more than once a year. In addition to the Vital Care programs, we are offering certain Keystone 65 HMO plans a new Insulin Savings Program that gives members with diabetes a one-month supply of an included insulin product for a $35 copay.
“These types of programs are so important, especially since 24 percent of our Medicare Advantage population has active diabetes,” said Dr. Syropoulos.
An important part of managing a chronic health condition is going to the doctor and/or specialist regularly. Accessing transportation to do that can be challenging, which is why Independence is including this as a new benefit for certain Keystone 65 HMO plans in 2022. Members with both diabetes and congestive heart failure are eligible for 12 one-way rides or six round-trip rides per year to plan-approved medical facilities at no additional cost provided by Roundtrip.
Prospective members can learn more about these benefits and Independence’s 2022 Medicare Advantage offerings by visiting ibxmedicare.com/value2022 or by calling 1-877-393-6733(TTY/TDD: 711) seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Current members can learn more by attending an educational webinar. To register for an event, members can visit ibxmedicare.com/2022webinar. For questions about their current Medicare Advantage plan or 2022 benefit options, members can call the number on the back of their member ID card. Representatives are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please note that on weekends and holidays from April 1 through September 30, your call may be sent to voicemail.
Media Contact:
Diana Quattrone
215-815-7828
Diana.Quattrone@ibx.com
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.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Please note that on weekends and holidays from April 1 through September 30, your call may be sent to voicemail.
The transportation benefit is provided by Roundtrip, an independent company. The grocery benefit is provided by United By Blue, an independent company. MANNA is an independent company that administers our meals program benefit.
Independence Blue Cross complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-275-2583 (TTY/TDD: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-800-275-2583（TTY/TDD: 711）
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