Blue Shield of California's Medicare Advantage Plan Receives Four-Star Rating for Fifth Consecutive Year

News provided by

Oct 27, 2015, 02:44 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California's Medicare Advantage HMO Plan has received a four-star quality award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the fifth year in a row.

CMS uses a five-star system to measure the quality and performance of Medicare health and prescription drug plans that relies on more than 50 metrics, including member health, management of chronic conditions, plan responsiveness, customer service, pricing and safety and pharmaceutical services. The rating system is revised every fall, with the value of stars subject to change each year.

"We are honored to receive this designation for the fifth consecutive year. Every year, CMS increases the thresholds for four-star performance, and maintaining this rating reflects Blue Shield's strong commitment to improving the experience for our Medicare members year after year," said Cathy Campbell, vice president and general manager of senior markets. "We remain dedicated to providing the highest levels of service and continue to look for ways to help our members improve their health and have high levels of satisfaction."

In addition to maintaining its four-star quality rating, Blue Shield continues to provide a range of services to Medicare members in California at affordable prices:

Blue Shield will continue to offer a $0 plan premium to over 84% of its Medicare Advantage HMO members for 2016.
Blue Shield will continue to offer Healthway's SilverSneakers benefit to approximately 92% of its Medicare Advantage HMO members in 2016.
Nearly all of Blue Shield's 2016 Medicare Advantage plans cover routine vision and hearing care, with discounts available for hearing aids.
Effective January 1, 2016, Blue Shield 65 Plus will be offered in parts of Kern, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties, increasing the number of counties where our Medicare Advantage plans are offered to 13 (through our acquisition of GEMCare Health Plan, Inc.).

Blue Shield of California is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Shield of California depends on contract renewal. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Members must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits and premiums may change on January 1 of each year. More information on Blue Shield's Medicare plans is available at https://www.blueshieldca.com/sites/medicare/home.sp.

Background on Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California, an independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit health plan with 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $13 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in San Francisco, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company's mission is to ensure all Californians have access to high-quality care at an affordable price. Blue Shield has contributed more than $325 million over the past ten years to the Blue Shield of California Foundation. Contact your local agent or broker about Blue Shield of California products and services, or visit www.blueshieldca.com.

CONTACT:
Mia Campitelli
Corporate Communications
(415) 229-5359
[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Shield of California