Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Introduces 'Zero, Zero, Zero' Medicare Advantage Plan to a Dozen Counties in Missouri

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 6, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) is introducing its "Zero, Zero, Zero" Medicare Advantage Local Preferred Provider Organization (LPPO) product to a dozen Missouri counties for plans effective Jan. 1, 2011. This popular plan offers zero dollar premiums, zero copayments at in-network primary care doctors, zero dollar preventive services and zero dollar copayments for preferred generic prescriptions.

The "Zero, Zero, Zero" plan – sold under the name Anthem Medicare Preferred Core – is being offered to Medicare eligible individuals in the St. Louis and Springfield areas, including St. Louis, St. Louis City, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, Christian and Webster counties.

"We are committed to helping members of the Medicare population enjoy better health at a reasonable price, including the many Baby Boomers who are entering the system for the first time," said Krista Bowers, senior vice president of the senior division of Anthem. "They shouldn't have to skip important doctor's visits or medications because they can't afford to pay for them."

Dennis Matheis, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri, added, "Zero, Zero, Zero plans provide financial relief and peace of mind for our Medicare Advantage members during these difficult economic times."

Additional benefits vary by plan.

People eligible for Medicare can purchase a Medicare Advantage plan during the "annual enrollment period," which runs from Nov. 15–Dec. 31. For more information, visit Anthem's online store at www.anthem.com/shop where visitors can learn about products, compare plans, get a quote and even enroll in the plan that best suits their needs.

The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Members must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield

In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield