Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Announces Flexible, Affordable Blue MedicareRx(SM) Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

    RICHARDSON, Texas, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
 of Texas announced today that it will offer three Medicare Part D
 prescription drug plans with added savings, coverage and convenience for
 people eligible for Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries in Texas can sign up
 for or switch Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage during the 2008
 annual open enrollment period, which begins November 15 and continues until
 December 31, 2007.
     People eligible for Medicare can select one of three Blue
 MedicareRx(SM) plans -- Value, Standard and Plus -- to fit their personal
 needs and budget. Each plan covers more than 2,600 prescription drugs,
 including eligible generic drugs. With monthly premiums starting at $25.80,
 Blue MedicareRx plans offer different cost saving options which include no
 deductible, no co-payment for generic drugs and benefits during the
 coverage gap. For additional savings, the Standard plan offers eligible
 generic drugs at no co-pay.
     "People eligible for Medicare and their families, should take time
 during open enrollment to research the best plan that covers their current
 and future prescription drug needs," said Nancy Donaldson, Vice President
 of Medicare Contracting & Operations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of
 Texas. "Our Blue MedicareRx plans offer convenient and cost-saving
 prescription drug solutions from a company people know and trust."
     By enrolling in Blue MedicareRx, individuals will have access to the
 Blue Cross and Blue Shield nationwide network of more than 56,000
 pharmacies which includes major retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens, CVS
 and Wal-Mart.
     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas has developed a Decision Guide to
 help Medicare beneficiaries and their families determine which plan is
 right for them. By calling 1-888-579-9373 or visiting http://www.bcbstx.com
 to request a free Blue MedicareRx Decision Guide, people can
     -- compare monthly premiums,
     -- review a comprehensive formulary and
     -- estimate their prescription drug costs.
     To enroll or switch to a Blue MedicareRx plan, eligible individuals can
 simply submit their enrollment to their local authorized Blue Cross and
 Blue Shield of Texas agent, visit http://www.bcbstx.com or call
 1-888-579-9373 (TTY/TDD users call 1-888-579-9375) 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday
 - Sunday from November 15 until December 31. To research Medicare
 prescription drug coverage options, visit http://www.medicare.gov or call
 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227, TTY/TDD users call 877-486-2048) 24 hours a
 day, 7 days a week.
     About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:
     (SM) Service Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an
 Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
     Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas refers to HCSC Insurance Services
 Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Care Service
 Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. These companies are
 independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and
 offer or provide services for Medicare Part D products under HCSC Insurance
 Services Company's contract S5715 with the Centers for Medicare and
 Medicaid Services.
     Contact: Margaret Jarvis
               (972) 766-7165
               Margaret_Jarvis@bcbstx.com
 
 

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas