Gateway Health Plan® introduces new Medicare Assured® Plans

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help better serve those with complex medical conditions, Gateway Health Plan® (Gateway) today announced that it has received formal notice of approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand its Medicare Assured® offerings into three additional Special Needs Plans (SNP), serving those with Medicare Parts A and B among other qualifying factors.

Gateway began marketing the new plans on Oct. 1 so that it can begin enrolling by Jan. 1, 2013. In addition to the health plan's existing Medicare Assured® (HMO SNP), the three new plans include:

• Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured® 3 (HMO SNP) – A Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan, (D-SNP); serving those who have BOTH Medicare Parts A and B and who receive specified levels of assistance from the state. 

Two Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNP) have been added, serving those who have BOTH Medicare Parts A and B, along with one of the following chronic conditions: diabetes, cardiovascular disorders or chronic heart failure. The two C-SNP plans will be known as:

• Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured® Select (HMO SNP).
• Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured® Select Plus (HMO SNP).

"As the nation's healthcare costs continue to escalate, it is imperative that we find optimal solutions for those with complex medical needs. The special needs population represents the fastest growing number of Americans on Medicare. As a result, our expansion of services will enable us to provide more options for this population, ahead of the changing healthcare landscape," says Austin Ifedirah, MBA, Vice President, Medicare, Gateway Health Plan®.

Part of what makes Gateway Health Plan® unique is its Prospective Care Management (PCM®) model of service that addresses the members' unique challenges that impede access to healthcare. This progressive approach examines the varied aspects of a person's life – behavioral, environmental economic, medical, social and spiritual (BEEMSS^SM) – to understand and overcome barriers to care.

Persons interested in learning more about Medicare Assured® plans can visit our website at  www.MedicareAssured.com, or call 1-877-GATEWAY to speak with a Gateway Health Plan® sales representative.

About Gateway Health Plan®
Now nearing is 20th year of serving the community, Gateway Health Plan® is a Managed Care Organization serving the Medical Assistance population in Pennsylvania with its two lines of business, Medicaid and Medicare. Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured® has more than 30,000 members in 28 counties, now including Philadelphia County. The health plan will expand into four additional counties surrounding Philadelphia in 2013. Among these new counties include: Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties.

Backed by a network of more than 10,000 + doctors, healthcare providers and more than 100+ hospitals, Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured® is the 10th largest SNP in the United States and the largest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Gateway Health Plan® emphasizes the development and delivery of innovative programs to positively affect the personal health of its members.  Gateway maintains a healthcare delivery system that assures the availability of high quality medical care for the Gateway member, based upon access, quality and financial soundness.

SOURCE Gateway Health Plan