Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin has signed a new multiyear agreement with Prevea Health in Green Bay effective Jan. 1, 2008
Through this agreement, all Anthem members in its Blue Access PPO and Blue Preferred HMO/POS plans will be able to receive medical care at Prevea-affiliated health care centers at the highest level of benefits.
"Prevea's commitment to quality health care is a commitment that we at Anthem share," said John Foley, vice president of health care management for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. "Prevea has long been a valued partner, and we're pleased to have them participate in all of our networks for all of our members."
More than 100 hospitals, including nearly every major hospital in the state, participate in various Anthem provider networks. Prevea offers more than 200 primary care and specialty providers at 12 health center locations throughout Green Bay and Northeastern Wisconsin, including St. Vincent's Health Center and St. Mary's Health Center in Green Bay.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut today announced that total donations received through its 2008 Associates Annual Giving Campaign to support not-for-profit organizations in 2008 generated gifts in excess of $434,000.
"The generosity shown by our employees during this campaign highlights their integrity and commitment to improving the communities where they live and work," said David R. Fusco, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. "I'm grateful for their incredible generosity and am proud that we are living the mission of our organization in every day ways."
The funds pledged by Anthem associates in Connecticut will be matched 50 percent by the WellPoint Foundation, Inc., the parent foundation of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation. With the WellPoint Foundation match, the total giving rises to $651,000. These funds will help hundreds of not- for-profit organizations fulfill their missions. The WellPoint Foundation, together with its subsidiary state foundations, is one of the nation's largest corporate foundations with net assets of nearly $200 million.
In addition to support provided directly by its employees in 2007, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is working to increase accessibility to affordable, quality health care and to address community health care needs. This encompassed sponsorships of a wide range of initiatives, including the American Lung Association "Breath Express" educational program for Connecticut school children; support of the March of Dimes Prematurity Campaign to decrease the occurrence of low birth-weight babies; and sponsorship of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk to Cure Diabetes, the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure.
Across the country, associates of Anthem's parent company, WellPoint, Inc., pledged more than $15 million, surpassing its national goal of $13.8 million. The 50 percent match from the WellPoint Foundation will raise that total to more than $23 million.
During 2007, the WellPoint Foundation and subsidiary state foundations in some of its states funded $20 million in grants to numerous programs across the country. In many instances, the foundations provide emergency grants to support communities affected by disasters.
"Through our Foundations and our social responsibility programs, we put the full weight of the company into finding lasting solutions to the social issues we understand best-health care quality, affordability and accessibility," said Caroline 'Caz' Matthews, president of the WellPoint Foundation. "In the end, this focus, guided in part by our new State Health Index, which helps us identify the most critical health care needs in the state, allows us to have a measurable and sustainable impact in the communities we serve."
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, WellPoint is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan and surrounding counties and as Empire Blue Cross or Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (serving Virginia excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123), Wisconsin. Additional information about Anthem is available at http://www.anthem.com.
Media Contacts: Scott Golden 804-354-5252 scott.golden@anthem.com Lisa Greiner (212) 476-7011 Lisa.Greiner@empireblue.com
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky today announced the release of a suite of new Medicare Advantage plans for Kentucky's diverse and growing population of Medicare beneficiaries. The new plans complement Anthem's current Medicare offerings and provide Kentucky's seniors and disabled residents with a wide range of options to meet their individual medical and financial needs.
"Today's seniors are living longer than ever before and have different expectations than previous generations about their health and their health benefit options in retirement," said Susan E. Rawlings, president of Senior Business, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. "Our enhanced product line recognizes that one size does not fit all in health care and allows Medicare eligible individuals to select the coverage plan that meets their health needs and allows them to live the most fulfilling life possible. In addition to offering affordable premiums, our Medicare Advantage plans also include innovative care management programs that are not available through traditional Medicare."
When Medicare's annual enrollment period begins on November 15, Kentucky's Medicare beneficiaries will be able to choose from the following options available through Anthem for the first time:
- Anthem SmartSaver Medical Savings Account (MSA) - This plan offers a $0 premium to Medicare beneficiaries who want the freedom to choose their doctor and manage their health care expenses before the annual deductible is met through a special savings account to pay for medical services. The MSA plan is an open access plan in which members can see any Medicare-approved provider who is willing to accept the terms of the plan. MSA funds earn interest and can be used to pay for some medical services not covered by Medicare. At the end of the year, any unused MSA funds roll over for use during the following year.
In addition, in 2008 Medicare beneficiaries who enroll in a standalone Anthem Part D prescription drug plan, will have access to the Prescription Savings Program card, which offers significant savings on non-formulary brand name and generic prescriptions. The card can be used by all Anthem members and those in their household for all brand name and generic prescriptions, with no limit to the amount of use. These savings will be available through a network of over 53,000 participating pharmacies nationwide for unlimited access, including chain, independent and retail pharmacies.
Anthem will continue to offer the following products:
- Anthem Medicare Preferred, a Local Preferred Provider Organization (LPPO) and Blue Medicare Access, a Regional Preferred Provider Organization (RPPO) - These PPO plans offer access to a broad network of doctors and medical services within the network with no referral required for in network care. Members may seek care out of network at an additional cost. Members have Part D prescription drug coverage options that include generic drug coverage in the coverage gap. Members also have access to fitness and preventive programs that can help educate about ways to live a healthier lifestyle.
- Anthem Senior Advantage, a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - This Medicare HMO plan offers $0 premiums and access to a robust network of doctors, medical personnel and facilities. HMO members choose a primary care physician who is responsible for coordinating all their health care needs. Members have Part D prescription drug coverage options that include generic drug coverage in the coverage gap. Members also have access to fitness and preventive programs that can help educate about ways to live a healthier lifestyle.
"Anthem is committed to providing affordable health benefit options for Kentucky residents at all stages of life," said Deborah Moessner, president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. "The range of choices we offer our Medicare eligible members is a reflection of that commitment."
In addition to offering Medicare Advantage products, Anthem is also one of the state's leading providers of Medicare Supplemental coverage. For more information on Anthem's Medicare offerings, visit www.anthem.com.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio has unveiled a new option for large and small businesses that struggle toafford comprehensive health benefit plans.
Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO is a low premium, catastrophic healthbenefits policy that provides coverage for most hospitalizations and surgeriesas well as some benefits for office visits and preventive care services.
"The low premiums make Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO more affordablefor businesses that don't currently offer group health benefits and offersemployees protection from a catastrophic loss due to an illness or medicalcondition," said Chuck Slater, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shieldin Ohio. "It's another option for employers who otherwise might be forced tocut back or eliminate health coverage altogether because of budgetaryconstraints."
Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO provides access to the BlueCard(R)network of health care professionals, industry-leading disease and caremanagement programs, an automated claims system and convenient online tools tohelp individuals better mange their health.
"This product provides a savings of up to 70 percent off a full range PPOplan, but still offers employers a competitive health benefits option thatwill help them attract and retain a productive workforce," said Slater.
Members enrolled in the Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO receive coveragefor most hospital admissions and surgeries, coverage for state mandatedpreventive care and coverage for outpatient diagnostic services. Also includedare limited benefits for office visits that include most services with a co-payment and co-insurance, and generic pharmacy benefits ($10 retail co-pay and$20 for mail order).
This health benefit plan has previously been available in some areas toindividual purchasers (those who do not receive health benefits from theiremployer). Now Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO is available for small andlarge businesses as well as individual purchasers. In areas where Anthem hadsold this product in the individual market, our research indicated that52 percent of the enrollees were previously uninsured.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Community InsuranceCompany, a subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint, Inc. is an independentlicensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members asthe Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shieldlicensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine,Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, NewHampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York Citymetropolitan counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selectedupstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginiasuburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare. Additionalinformation about WellPoint is available at www.wellpoint.com.SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in OhioKim Ashley of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio, +1-513-682-8863,Kim.Ashley@anthem.com
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Wednesday unveiled a bare-bones health insurance plan designed for employers struggling to offer benefits to their workers because of the rising cost of premiums.
The new plan, called Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO, provides "catastrophic" coverage for most hospitalizations and surgeries, as well as limited coverage for doctor visits and other services, according to Anthem, a subsidiary of Indianapolis health-insurance giant WellPoint. Anthem said the plan's premiums are up to 70 percent cheaper than those for a full-range preferred provider organization plan. "It's another option for employers who otherwise might be forced to cut back or eliminate health coverage altogether because of budgetary constraints," said Robert W. Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, in a statement.
Anthem is rolling out the plan in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. The plan previously was available only on the individual health insurance market, not for employee-sponsored plans. The new plan reflects broader trends in the health insurance marketplace. More employers are finding it financially difficult to offer their workers health-care coverage. Premiums for family coverage in 2007 averaged $12,106 a year, with workers on average paying about $3,281 of that out of their paychecks, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit health-care research group. In response, more health- insurance plans are shifting more health-care costs to workers.
Under the Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO, workers may save on those premiums but face plenty of other costs as they seek care. Deductibles -- or out-of-pocket costs before any coverage starts -- range from $1,000 to $5,000 for a single person and $3,000 to $15,000 for a family. After the deductible is met, a patient would be responsible for a $20 co-pay, plus 50 percent of the total charge for an outpatient doctor visit, according to Anthem. An emergency-room visit requires a $150 co-pay plus 20 percent of the total charge. Full coverage would kick in after the patient reaches an out-of-pocket maximum, which starts at $5,000 for a single person and $10,000 for a family.
The plan also includes generic prescriptions for a $10 in-store co-pay. The Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO does not provide coverage for visits to urgent-care centers or for durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs that commonly are covered in more comprehensive plans. Some medical experts worry that some patients covered by health plans with high out-of-pocket requirements could delay seeking needed medical treatment. "The challenge for a product like this is the risk that people will delay their care," said Dr. Deanna Willis, assistant professor of family medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine. Willis points to research collected by the health advocacy group, The Commonwealth Fund, that reported that 31 percent of enrollees in high-deductible plans were more likely to delay or avoid care because of costs, compared with 17 percent of those enrolled in comprehensive plans.
Indianapolis - Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is planning to expand in five states by creating a market for employers who are having trouble providing health insurance.
Anthem is a subsidiary of WellPoint. It's introducing a group health version of its Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. Anthem says the plan can provide a savings of up to 70 percent.
The plan offers low-premium insurance to cover things like emergency room visits, hospital stays and trips to the doctor's office, according to company officials.
However, it excludes urgent care center visits and other things covered under traditional plans like brand-name prescription drugs, outpatient diagnostic services and outpatient physical therapy.
Deductibles range from $1,000 to $5,000 for individuals and $3,000 to $15,000 for families.
(Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.)
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield on Wednesday announced plans to begin to offer a limited-benefit health plan to employers in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin, the Indianapolis Star reports.
The plan, called the Blue Access Hospital Surgical PPO, provides "catastrophic" coverage for most hospitalizations and surgeries, as well as limited coverage for physician visits and other health care services. The plan does not cover urgent care center visits or durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs.
According to Anthem, premiums for the plan, previously available only in the individual health insurance market, cost 70% less than those for a comprehensive PPO plan. Under the plan, employees have annual deductibles of between $1,000 and $5,000 for single coverage and between $3,000 and $15,000 for family coverage. After employees reach the deductible, they have to make a $20 copayment and pay 50% of the total cost for physician visits and make a $150 copay and pay 20% of the total cost for emergency department visits.
Anthem decided to offer the plan to help employers "struggling to offer benefits to their workers because of the rising cost of premiums," the Star reports. Robert Hillman, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, in a statement said, "It's another option for employers who otherwise might be forced to cut back or eliminate health coverage altogether because of budgetary constraints."
However, some "medical experts worry that some patients covered by health plans with high out-of-pocket requirements could delay seeking needed medical treatment," according to the Star. Deanna Willis, assistant professor of family medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, said, "The challenge for a product like this is the risk that people will delay their care" (Lee, Indianapolis Star, 11/29).
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for the following: In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Colorado, Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri: RightCHOICEŽ Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance Life Insurance Company (HALIC) and HMO Missouri, Inc. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin ("BCBSWi") and Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation ("Compcare"). Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Serving residents and businesses in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and Virginia (excluding the city of Fairfax, the town of Vienna and the area east of State Route 123).
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