SAN DIEGO, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc. , announced a long-term strategic partnership with Sharp HealthCare of San Diego that will provide access to a new Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Value Plan, pending federal approval, to PacifiCare’s Secure Horizons members and other Medicare-eligible seniors in San Diego County, effective Jan. 1, 2005.
The new Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Value Plan for San Diego offers unlimited brand-name prescription drug coverage for drugs on the Covered Medications List as well as a non-emergency transportation benefit. The Value Plan includes a new Caregiver benefit -- which provides a wide range of services including access to legal counsel on elder-care issues -- that helps families care for an elderly member.
Members will also have access, at no additional charge, to SilverSneakers(R), a unique fitness program designed to encourage physical activity and mental well-being. SilverSneakers(R) includes a free local fitness center membership at contracted fitness centers, health education and specialized classes that focus on improving and increasing strength, endurance and mobility.
Value Plan members will receive preventive care, routine doctor and hospital visits, access to disease management programs, worldwide emergency care, routine vision and hearing exams, and many other benefits and services in the Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Plan that are not offered in Original Medicare coverage.
PacifiCare Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard G. Phanstiel said that the strategic partnership with Sharp HealthCare helps make the Value Plan a quality solution for Medicare members in San Diego County who demand affordable, quality care. “Working in tandem with Sharp HealthCare, recognized for the quality of care it delivers to patients, reflects PacifiCare’s commitment to helping improve the health and well-being of our senior members.
“In order to help seniors combat rising health care costs and increase their health care purchasing power, Secure Horizons is committed to working with Sharp HealthCare to ensure that Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Value Plan members have access to affordable, quality health care coverage,” Phanstiel said.
“Sharp HealthCare’s goal of providing quality care and programs that set community standards, exceed patients’ expectations and are provided in a caring, cost-effective and accessible manner will position us well to deliver quality and appropriate care to San Diego County seniors,” said Mike Murphy, president and CEO of Sharp HealthCare. “Our current and new Secure Horizons patients can have confidence in knowing that they are cared for by who we believe are the best physicians in San Diego County and that the relationship between PacifiCare/Secure Horizons and Sharp HealthCare is strong and stable. We believe the combination of the Value Plan benefits and Sharp HealthCare’s quality programs and services will yield extra value for our patients.”
Approximately 140,000 of San Diego’s more than 365,000 seniors are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare beneficiaries interested in learning more about the new Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage Value Plan may call 1-800-969-4347 or visit http://www.securehorizons.com/.
Consistently ranked as the number-one integrated health care system by Modern Healthcare, Sharp HealthCare is San Diego’s most comprehensive health care delivery system, recognized for clinical excellence in cardiac care, women’s services, cancer, orthopedics, multi-organ transplants, rehabilitation and behavioral health services. The Sharp system includes four acute care hospitals, three specialty hospitals and three affiliated medical groups -- Sharp Rees-Stealy, Sharp Mission Park and Sharp Community Medical Group. In 2002, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women was named one of the top ten places in the U.S. to have a baby, according to FitPregnancy Magazine. The 2003 Hospitals and Health Care Networks named Sharp one of its “100 Most Wired” health systems.
PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation’s largest consumer health organizations with more than 3 million health plan members and approximately 10 million specialty plan members nationwide. PacifiCare offers individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries a variety of consumer-driven health care and life insurance products. Currently, more than 99 percent of PacifiCare’s commercial health plan members are enrolled in plans that have received Excellent Accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). PacifiCare’s specialty operations include behavioral health, dental and vision, and complete pharmacy and medical management through its wholly owned subsidiary, Prescription Solutions. More information on PacifiCare Health Systems is available at http://www.pacificare.com/.
PacifiCare Health Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: Cheryl Randolph of PacifiCare, +1-714-226-3441,cheryl.randolph@phs.com; or John Cihomsky of Sharp HealthCare,+1-858-499-4117, john.cihomsky@sharp.com
Web site: http://www.securehorizons.com/
Web site: http://www.pacificare.com/