COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthMetrix Research Inc. has selected 13 Medicare health plans for overall best value based on the design of their 2005 benefits and member cost-sharing participation. Each organization was the recipient of the 2005 Senior Choice Gold Award earlier this year. The award is based on the independent CostShare Report(TM) comparisons conducted annually by HealthMetrix Research Inc. and MedicareNewsWatch.com including over 175 Medicare plans in 65 cities.
"The rapid expansion of Medicare plans during 2005 has resulted in greater choices of health plans and richer benefits for Medicare beneficiaries in most areas of the country," according to HealthMetrix Research Inc. president Alan Mittermaier. "These organizations and their Medicare plans remain the overall best values despite increased competition for enrolling Medicare beneficiaries during the first half of this year. HealthMetrix Research is pleased to recognize these plans for demonstrated excellence in delivering top value for their members."
2005 Best Value Medicare Health Plans (Listed Alphabetically) California Health Plan Los Angeles California Medicare Advantage Fallon Community Health Plan Boston, Springfield, Worcester Fallon Senior Plan Group Health Plan St. Louis Gold Advantage HealthAmerica Pittsburgh Advantra Health Plan of Nevada Las Vegas Senior Dimensions Humana Atlanta, Kansas City Gold Choice Mount Carmel Health Plan Columbus MediGold Presbyterian Health Plan Albuquerque, Santa Fe Senior Care Quality Health Plans Suburban Tampa Seniors Select Touchstone Health Partnership New York City American Value UnitedHealthcare Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Medicare Complete Honolulu, Milwaukee, Portland, Providence, Salt Lake City Universal Health Care Bradenton, Sarasota Medicare Masterpiece WellCare Albany, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Choice Miami, New Haven, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Established in 1996, HealthMetrix Research's CostShare Report(TM) estimates annual out-of-pocket costs based on members' health status (healthy, episodic, chronic) and utilization of the most common health plan benefits (physician office visits, emergency care, hospital care, prevention care, prescriptions). Medicare health plan comparisons are available online at http://www.MedicareNewsWatch.com. HealthMetrix Research neither recommends nor endorses any Medicare plan or product.
Contact: Alan Mittermaier
614-236-8345 -- 614-236-8034 Fax
HealthMetrix Research Inc.CONTACT: Alan Mittermaier of HealthMetrix Research Inc., +1-614-236-8345,or fax, +1-614-236-8034
Web site: http://www.MedicareNewsWatch.com/
