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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Emphasizes Better Health through New Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut, Provider Collaboration, Extra BenefitsAs Medicare's primary sales season gets under way, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) is emphasizing better health in Connecticut through provider collaboration agreements and new Medicare Advantage plans with extra benefits. This includes provider collaboration plans in some areas, as well as expanding Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNPs) for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, and traditional HMOs for the general population. Anthem Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPD) continue to offer significant benefits not available in Original Medicare, including dental and vision coverage and online doctor's visits. "Even with the Medicare reimbursement environment changing, we think it's critical to structure our plans to provide our members with real value over Original Medicare, including extra benefits and strong local alliances," said John Caby, president of Anthem's Medicare east region. Following are some specifics on Anthem MAPD plans that will be available for the Annual Election Period, or AEP, which begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Anthem offers MAPD plans statewide. Plans are effective Jan. 1, 2016. New plans. Anthem is expanding its MAPD Dual-Eligible Special Needs plan to Fairfield, New London and Windham counties for 2016. Like existing Anthem special needs plans in the state, this plan is available for a $0 premium and includes dental and vision coverage, some transportation to doctor's appointments, some over-the-counter drug costs and a fitness program, all at no extra cost. Unlike most plans, people who qualify for a DSNP have a continuous Special Election Period, which means they can elect to join a new plan at any time throughout the year. Additionally, Anthem is launching a traditional MAPD HMO in Windham County. Provider collaboration. To improve member health and lower member costs, Anthem continues to implement provider collaboration agreements. To date, Anthem has about 200 Connecticut medical providers in Medicare provider collaboration agreements, covering about 770 of its members. Online doctor's visits. LiveHealth Online (LHO) telehealth will continue to be available in most of Anthem's Connecticut MAPD plans. LHO allows members to access board-certified doctors through their computer or mobile device, and will include a behavioral health benefit effective Jan. 1, 2016. With this benefit, members can generally choose a qualified mental health expert and schedule a counseling session in advance to be held during available hours. (Those in crisis should call 911). Both seeing a doctor and counseling visits are available at a $0 copay to eligible members. More $0 generics. Anthem is enhancing its Medicare pharmacy benefits in 2016. MAPD plans will feature a "Select Tier" with 16 generic drugs for a $0 copay at preferred pharmacies, including some drugs that treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Anthem has more than 200 preferred pharmacies in Connecticut, including CVS, Target (News - Alert) and Wal-Mart (Sam's Club). In addition to MAPD plans, Anthem offers Medicare Supplement plans and standalone PDP plans across all Connecticut counties. Medicare Supplement plans help cover costs Original Medicare doesn't, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. These plans offer access to any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare, generally for a higher premium than an MAPD. They are generally paired with a PDP. "We pride ourselves in being one of the nation's only insurers that can offer a full continuum of Medicare products, including something for every budget and lifestyle," Caby said. For details about Anthem Medicare plans in your area, call (855) 866-3962 or visit Anthem's Medicare online store at www.anthem.com/shop. Anthem will be holding educational events and home visits throughout AEP. Anthem is a PPO plan, an HMO plan and a PDP with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Anthem depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on Jan. 1 of each year. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross 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 and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is available at www.anthem.com. Also follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/AskAnthem or on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/AskAnthem.
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