MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- UCare Minnesota announced today that it has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. UCare will begin offering the new prescription drug coverage Jan. 1, 2006, to members of its Medicare Advantage plan, UCare for Seniors.
“UCare is making the transition to the new Medicare prescription coverage as simple, seamless, and affordable as possible for our members and people on Medicare across Minnesota,” said Nancy Feldman, president and CEO. “We’ve been a leader in educating Minnesotans about this important issue for a more than a year. We understand what Minnesotans want and need in their Medicare coverage. That’s why we’re pleased to be a clear and single source of information for Medicare beneficiaries and UCare members who seek clarity, integrity, and convenience from their health plan.”
In the fall, members of UCare’s Classic, Superior, and Crystal plans will experience a seamless transition to the new coverage because it will be included in their comprehensive package of benefits and become effective Jan. 1, 2006.
On Jan. 1, 2006, members of UCare’s Value, Grand and Silver plans will have the option of switching to the enhanced Classic, Superior and Crystal plans that feature the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. Or, they can switch to UCare’s new Value Plus, Grand Plus, or Silver Plus plans that feature the same benefits plus the new prescription coverage. Finally, members of the Value, Grand, and Silver plans may choose to remain in these plans and not take the new prescription coverage; however, monthly premiums may rise if they enroll for the prescription drug coverage after May 15, 2006.
Marketing of UCare’s new prescription drug coverage will begin Oct.1, 2005, with initial enrollment taking place from Nov. 15, 2005, through May 15, 2006.
Since passage of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, UCare has been a leader in educating seniors across Minnesota about Medicare reform and the new prescription drug coverage benefit. UCare representatives have conducted more than 50 meetings with Minnesotans throughout the state to discuss the new coverage and answer questions about this complex issue.
Three levels of UCare for Seniors coverage will be offered in each of three geographic regions in the state (the Grand and Superior plans in 16 northwest, north central and northeast counties; the Silver and Crystal plans in 33 southern counties; and the Value and Classic plans in 15 metro- area counties).
About UCare Minnesota
UCare Minnesota is an independent, nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO) providing health care and administrative services to nearly 140,000 members. UCare provides health insurance programs for people with Medicare: UCare for Seniors, a Medicare Advantage product; and UCare Senior Select, a Medicare Select product. UCare also offers income-based health programs to people enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs, including Prepaid Medical Assistance, Prepaid General Assistance Medical Care and MinnesotaCare, in 77 Minnesota counties. For more information, visit http://www.ucare.org .
UCare Minnesota
CONTACT: Debbie Weiner of UCare Minnesota, +1-612-676-3562, ordweiner@ucare.org
Web site: http://www.ucare.org/
