Health Care Service Corporation Expands its Medicare Offering To Include Enhanced Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans for the 2014 Annual Enrollment Period

CHICAGO, Oct. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), the nation's largest customer-owned health insurance company, announced today its expansion of its Medicare offerings. Beginning on October 15, Medicare eligible individuals have the option to enroll in Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (MAPD) ^SM  and Blue Cross MedicareRx (PDP) ^SM  prescription drug plan(s) for a January 1, 2014 effective date.

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HCSC operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. This product expansion, approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), builds upon HCSC's existing Medicare product portfolio including Medicare Supplement and focuses on providing greater flexibility, lowering health care expenses and increasing access to health care.

"Our enhanced MAPD and Medicare Part D products, along with Medicare Supplement products, support our legacy of providing continuous health coverage to our members for more than 75 years. We are committed to providing Medicare-eligible beneficiaries with new offerings that increase choice, flexibility and value tailored to their individual needs," said Mark Owen, President, Government Programs, HCSC.

HCSC's MAPD products include a variety of enhancements such as lower cost sharing, more network options and benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, travel benefits, and worldwide emergency care.  In addition, MAPD members can participate in the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, which encourages physical activity through fitness center memberships and social events, at no additional cost in 2014.

"Our Medicare Advantage plans are anchored by primary care physicians and hospital systems that specialize in meeting the needs of our senior population," said  Sarran, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Government Programs, HCSC. "Our strong network, coupled with new benefits like SilverSneakers®, will provide seniors with access to benefits and tools that can help them achieve positive health outcomes."

HCSC's enhanced 2014 prescription drug plans (PDP) offers lower monthly premiums, reduced cost-sharing at preferred pharmacies, an expansive formulary of generic and brand prescription drugs, and access to 64,000*+ network pharmacies nationwide. The plans include different coverage levels to support the changing needs and lifestyles of the Medicare eligible population including a new Basic plan offering prescription drug copays for some generics as low as $2.

For more information about enrolling, visit  www.mybluemapd.com or call \1-877-583-8129, (TTY/TDD: 711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., local time, 7 days a week to speak to a licensed agent. If you are calling from February 15 through September 30, alternate technologies (for example, voicemail) will be used on weekends and holidays.

About Health Care Service Corporation

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall, with nearly 14 million members in its Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Illinois, New Mexico, Oklahoma Texas, and Montana. HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit www.HCSC.com, visit our Facebook page or follow us at www.twitter.com/HCSC.

The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

^® Registered Service Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans
^† SilverSneakers^® is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc.
Healthways SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program is a wellness program owned and operated by Healthways, Inc., an independent company.

^*Per Geo Access analysis conducted in July 2013.

Medicare Advantage Plan Notice:

In Illinois, plans are available in Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will counties.

In New Mexico, plans are available in Bernalillo, Cibola, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Sante Fe, Socorro, Torrance, and Valencia counties.

In Oklahoma, plans are available in Canadian, Cleveland, Comanche, Garfield, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie counties.

In Texas, plans are available in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Fayette, Fort Bend, Harris, Hays, Lee, Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis and Williamson counties.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO and HMO-POS plans in Illinois and New Mexico and PPO plans in New Mexico and Oklahoma are provided by Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC). Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO plans in Texas are provided by HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC). Blue Cross Medicare Advantage HMO and HMO-POS plans in Oklahoma are provided by GHS Health Maintenance Organization, Inc. d/b/a BlueLincs HMO (BlueLincs). HCSC, HISC, and BlueLincs are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC, HISC, and BlueLincs are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract. Enrolment in HCSC's, HISC's and BlueLincs' plans depends on contract renewal.

Medicare Part D Plan Notice:

Blue Cross MedicareRx is a prescription drug plan provided by HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in HISC's plan depends on contract renewal.

SOURCE Health Care Service Corporation