PHOENIX, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has contracted with MemberHealth, Inc. to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits to eligible customers.
BCBSAZ is working with MemberHealth's Community Care Rx (CCRx) program to provide BCBSAZ's Part D eligible customers with prescription drug benefits at more than 900 pharmacies in Arizona and 54,000 nationwide. CCRx will be offering three plans ranging from $27.89 to $39.98, dependent upon the plan and the options. By voluntarily enrolling in the CCRx program, BCBSAZ members may save on prescription medication costs.
Medicare, the U.S. health insurance program for 42 million elderly and disabled Americans, will begin offering prescription drug benefits on Jan. 1, 2006 through plans administered by a select group of private companies, including Ohio-based MemberHealth. Medicare Part D eligible individuals can begin enrolling on Nov. 15, 2005. In most instances, enrolling when first eligible will allow an individual to avoid a penalty. Anyone with Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B can enroll in the new Part D prescription drug plan.
"Medicare beneficiaries will face a broad selection of new providers offering Medicare prescription drug benefits over the next several months. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is committed to simplifying the process of selecting a provider," said BCBSAZ President & CEO Richard L. Boals. "For many, joining now means they will pay a lower monthly premium."
Assisting MemberHealth in administering drug benefits under the new Medicare Part D program are Computer Sciences Corporation, National Community Pharmacists Association and SXC, which are companies within the health care industry in providing systems integration, pharmacy services and claims processing.
For more information about BCBSAZ Medicare supplement plans, please call (602) 864-4888 or (800) 232-2345, ext. 4888. CCRx can be reached at (866) 684-5353. Customer Service hours are 7 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. ET, Monday through Saturday. TTY/TDD users can call (866) 684-5351. For more information about Medicare, call (800)-MEDICARE (633-4227) or visit www.medicare.gov. TTY/TDD users should call (877) 486-2048.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services, or networks to more than 1 million customers statewide. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe, and Tucson, the company employs more than 1,500 Arizonans. For information about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and its community programs such as WalkingWorks, please visit azblue.com.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of ArizonaCONTACT: Jenny Brooks of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona,+1-602-864-5107, or cell, +1-602-463-2522, jbrooks@phx1.bcbsaz.com
