EAGAN, Minn., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has announced a special enrollment period that allows seniors and other Medicare-eligible Minnesotans to enroll in Blue Cross Medicare supplement coverage, called Senior Gold(SM), without providing a health history and to add one of two new low-cost prescription drug coverage options. This is the first special enrollment Minnesotans have seen in our state.
It is open through August 16, 2004, to Medicare beneficiaries currently enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, even if they are outside their six- month open enrollment window. Beneficiaries also need a permanent Minnesota address and current coverage that supplements Medicare.
"We know seniors are concerned about the future of Medicare and about prescription drugs, in particular. We feel strongly about our responsibility to Minnesotans. Throughout Medicare reform and beyond, we will continue to provide the security, support and satisfaction that have distinguished our 40 years of service to the Medicare population," said Deborah Madson, vice president of Blue Cross government programs.
The two new Blue Cross drug coverage options are designed to bring affordability and security in a complex prescription drug marketplace. With new or existing Blue Cross Senior Gold coverage, the options provide:
-- 50 percent unlimited coverage on generic drugs, for $25 more per month; or -- 50 percent coverage on formulary brand-name and generic drugs, up to $2,400 per year (Blue Cross pays up to $1,200 per year), for $55 more per month
For those who do not select additional drug coverage, the Rx Advantage preferred pricing program provides discounts of 15 to 60 percent on prescription drugs. The program is provided at no additional charge. In 2003 it saved Blue Cross members more than $22 million. With a health history, seniors can also opt for unlimited 50 percent coverage on all brand-name and generic drugs.
Blue Cross insures 170,000 Minnesota seniors in individual policies and another 75,000 through employer retiree coverage. Senior Gold is its most popular Medicare supplement plan. For more information, Medicare-eligible Minnesotans can contact their agent, or call Blue Cross at (651) 662-5682 or toll-free (800) 711-9874 to locate an agent or community meeting in their area.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MinnesotaCONTACT: Monika Strom, +1-651-662-6889, or Pager, +1-651-629-3975, orKarl Oestreich, +1-651-662-1502, or Pager, +1-651-610 7422, both of Blue Crossand Blue Shield of Minnesota
