HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthAmerica has introduced a new, affordable health insurance plan, HealthAmericaOne, targeted to individuals and families across Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio. The new plan, which will be available Jan. 1, 2005 (upon regulatory approval), offers a choice of preferred provider organization (PPO) options -- many of which are compatible with a health savings account (HSA) for greater control and affordability.
“Our HealthAmericaOne plan designs offer individuals and families affordable health insurance alternatives,” said Francis S. Soistman, Jr., president and CEO of HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance. “Consumers can choose the level of coverage and the price they can afford.”
HealthAmericaOne offers consumers 13 options with a range of varying deductibles and coinsurances. The plans cover core medical services and prescription drugs. All of the options offer PPO coverage. However, with nine of the options, consumers can choose to couple the insurer’s high deductible health plan with an HSA account.
HSAs give members more control over their health care and their health care dollars. An HSA is a tax-favored account into which members can make contributions. Members may withdraw money from their HSA account, tax-free, to pay for any qualifying health care expenses. Members only purchase health care services when they need them and they save their money when they don’t. At the end of the year, all unspent contributions roll over for the member’s use next year.
“Many working Pennsylvanians either lack access to a group health insurance plan or can’t afford the group coverage they are offered -- and their numbers are growing,” noted Soistman. “With HealthAmericaOne, consumers can choose from a number of options, so it is easier to find a plan that is affordable for them.”
The high deductible health plan options are particularly affordable. Members pay more up front for routine medical bills like doctor visits or routine checkups, but their annual health care costs are much lower and they receive protection from large medical bills in the event of a serious illness or injury. Members choosing a high deductible health plan can pay up to 50 percent less in monthly premiums than traditional health insurance plans, especially when they consider the cost-saving advantages of using an HSA.
HealthAmericaOne members also have access to Pennsylvania’s leading health care provider network with more than 21,000 primary care and specialty providers. Plus, they will have 170 hospitals in Pennsylvania and Ohio to choose from. When members use HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance providers, they’ll pay lower copayments and deductibles, reduced out-of-pocket expenses, and they’ll have no claim forms.
About HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance
HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc., has a 29-year record in managed care. HealthAmerica, HealthAssurance Pennsylvania, Inc., and affiliate companies cover over 735,000 members in Pennsylvania and Ohio through HMO, POS, PPO, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans. In addition, HealthAmerica earned an “Excellent” Accreditation for its HMO plan and HealthAssurance earned an “Excellent” Accreditation for the HealthAssurance POS by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America’s health care. With corporate offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance provide managed health care products and services to over 11,000 employers in Pennsylvania and Ohio. HealthAmerica and its affiliates employ over 1,500 people in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit HealthAmerica’s website at http://www.healthamerica.cvty.com/ .
HealthAmerica and HealthAssurance
CONTACT: Kendall Marcocci, Director of Communications of HealthAmericaand HealthAssurance, +1-717-540-6746, or kmarcocci@cvty.com
Web site: http://www.healthamerica.cvty.com/