SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Shield of California today announced that it has received approval from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage when the new federal benefit takes effect on January 1, 2006.
Blue Shield has been approved by CMS to offer Medicare prescription drug coverage (MA-PD plans) to its Medicare Advantage (HMO) members. Blue Shield will offer enhanced, stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs) to individual Medicare beneficiaries as well as to those who receive their Medicare benefits through employer group plans. This will enable Medicare beneficiaries who are not enrolled in Medicare HMO plans to take advantage of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
“Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is the most significant change to Medicare since this government program was introduced in the 1960s,” said Lisa Rubino, senior vice president and chief executive of Blue Shield’s Individual, Small Group, and Government Business Unit. “Blue Shield is proud that it has been approved by CMS to serve as a Part D provider, and we are committed to offering a quality, customer-centered prescription drug benefit to our current and prospective Medicare members.”
Blue Shield 65 Plus (Medicare HMO) members will be enrolled automatically in the Medicare prescription drug benefit, so they will not be required to submit separate application forms or adhere to any enrollment deadlines. Members will have access to brand and generic prescription drug coverage with fixed copayments and no deductibles.
The stand-alone Blue Shield of California Medicare Rx Plan is comprehensive prescription drug coverage designed to complement Medicare Supplement plans. Blue Shield will offer a plan with no deductible and fixed copayments, so members are covered from day one and will always know the cost of Medicare-approved prescription drugs.
Blue Shield also will provide support and information to employer groups that want to apply for the federal government’s Employer Drug Subsidy which is available to some employer groups that cover Medicare-eligible workers.
Between now and the end of the year, Blue Shield of California will inform and educate its Medicare-eligible members about the new prescription drug benefit, pricing, eligible prescription drugs, network pharmacies, and a variety of other issues.
Founded in 1939, Blue Shield of California is one of the state’s leading healthcare companies. Headquartered in San Francisco, the not-for-profit corporation has more than 3.3 million members, 4,300 employees and more than 20 offices locations throughout California. For more information, visit the Blue Shield of California website at www.mylifepath.com.
Patrice Smith Director of Corporate Communications (415) 229-6366 patrice.smith@blueshieldca.com
Blue Shield of California
CONTACT: Patrice Smith, Director of Corporate Communications of BlueShield of California, +1-415-229-6366, patrice.smith@blueshieldca.com
Web site: http://www.mylifepath.com//
