INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WellPoint, Inc. today announced that they will offer three Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans through their affiliated companies nationwide that will enhance affordability, increase access and provide exceptional value for Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, new Medicare Advantage Regional PPO plans are now available across key regions of the country.
The three Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans MedicareRx Value, MedicareRx Plus and MedicareRx Premier are available through WellPoint affiliated companies in 13 states with products designed to meet the different health care needs and budgets of Medicare beneficiaries. Monthly premiums will vary by plan selection and location, and range from $20 to $31 for MedicareRx Value, from $28 to $38 for MedicareRx Plus and from $35 to $59 for MedicareRx Premier.
UniCare Life & Health Insurance Company will offer the following three plans in all 50 states -- UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Value, UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Plus, and UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Premier. Monthly premiums range from $17 to $31 for UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Value, from $25 to $38 for UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Plus and from $34 to $51 for UniCare MedicareRx Rewards Premier.
All plans cover both brand name and generic drugs and can be purchased independently or in conjunction with an existing health coverage plan. These plans are ideal for most Medicare eligible individuals, as well as for employers who want to provide retiree health care solutions.
Medicare beneficiaries will have convenient access to prescription drugs through a broad retail pharmacy network with access to nearly 50,000 pharmacies nationwide, and have the option to obtain their prescriptions through a mail order pharmacy. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries can choose a MedicareRx plan that best meets their needs. For example, one plan has no deductible; another has no deductible, generic drug coverage through the "coverage gap" and a broader choice of drugs -- providing additional value and savings.
"Beginning now, consumers can learn specific information about the important benefits the new Medicare plans will deliver and how these plans can help to manage prescription drug costs," said Joan Herman, president and chief executive officer, Specialty, Senior and State Sponsored Business for WellPoint, Inc. "We believe the plans we developed will provide Medicare eligible individuals with access to more affordable health and prescription plan options."
Medicare Advantage Regional PPO and local HMO products are offered in key areas, increasing access to health care for Medicare eligible individuals. Medicare Advantage Regional PPO plans are offered in California, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, and local Medicare Advantage PPO plans are offered in select counties of Virginia and Ohio. In addition, Medicare Advantage HMO plans are available in various counties within Georgia, California, Kentucky and Ohio.
About WellPoint, Inc.
WellPoint, Inc. is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company in terms of membership in the United States. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through HealthLink and UniCare. Additional information about WellPoint is available at http://www.wellpoint.com.
WellPoint, Inc.CONTACT: Media - Kellie Bernell, +1-805-557-6755, or Chip Palazzo,+1-216-643-0101, or Investor Relations - Tami Durle, +1-317-488-6390, allfor WellPoint, Inc.
Web site: http://www.wellpoint.com/
