Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia (Anthem) will be offering up to five Medicare Advantage health plans in 62 counties in 2019. Medicare-eligible individuals living in 39 of those 61 counties will have at least one new Anthem plan available to them for next year due to Anthem’s introduction of two new plans and expansion into 19 new counties. These 2019 health plans are open for enrollment in this year’s Medicare annual election period (AEP), which begins October 15 and continues through December 7, 2018.

“Anthem strives to develop innovative solutions that aim to make it simpler for consumers to lead healthier lives,” said Tomas Orozco, President of Anthem’s Central Medicare Region. “We are excited to expand the reach of our Medicare Advantage plans and enhance our services in 2019 so that more individuals are able to receive healthcare services from care providers in their community.”

Individuals eligible for Medicare – people 65 years and older and those with certain disabilities, chronic conditions, and other special needs – are able to enroll in the following 2019 Medicare Advantage health plans based on availability in their county of residence:

• Anthem MediBlue Essential (HMO)

• Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO)

• Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage (HMO SNP)

• Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO)

• Anthem MediBlue Access Basic (PPO)

Many of the company’s Medicare Advantage plans, such as Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) and Anthem MediBlue Access Basic (PPO), have $0 monthly premiums, offering access to high-quality healthcare services without an additional premium.

These Anthem Medicare Advantage health plans offer a variety of benefits, which may include:

• $0 copay for two dental exams and two dental cleanings per year

• $0 copay annual eye exam and $200 for vision hardware per year

• Up to $3,000 hearing aid benefit

• $0 copay for unlimited podiatry visits

• Up to 36 one-way routine transportation services per year

• Up to $330 quarterly allowance for over-the-counter medications and health products, which can be used through Walmart

• LiveHealth Online, a service that gives you access to medical professionals through your computer or mobile device

• Membership to SilverSneakers, at no extra cost

• Medicare Community Resource Support, which is a telephone based program (supported by Social Workers) used to identify needs, leverage resources, and coordinate services

• In-network coverage of healthcare services with other participating health plans affiliated with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association when traveling out of state for the Anthem MediBlue Access (PPO) and Anthem MediBlue Access Basic (PPO) plans

Anthem will also be giving consumers an opportunity to choose an additional health plan benefit offered in its Essential Extras package, a new program introduced for its 2019 Medicare Advantage plans.

With Essential Extras, individuals enrolled in Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO) will be able to choose one of the following services: 64 delivered healthy meals; 60 one-way trips to a health-related destination; a personal health helper for up to 124 hours of care for chores and assistance with activities of daily living; assistive devices allowance of $500, such as a shower grab bar; up to 1 day a week of time at an adult day center; and alternative medicine through 24 acupuncture or therapeutic massage sessions. These services are designed to make it easier for consumers to lead more comfortable lives.

Some Anthem health plans already offer a benefit available in the Essential Extras package, such as delivered meals or transportation. If a consumer selects an Essential Extras option that is already provided in their health plan, the two benefits will be added together to ensure individuals have access to the full service as intended. For example, if a consumer enrolled in Anthem MediBlue Plus (HMO), which will offer 20 meals after hospital discharge, chooses the 64-meal nutrition option from Essential Extras, that person will have both sets of meals, up to 84 meals, available to him/her.

“Individuals eligible for Medicare have a number of health insurance choices so it’s important that Anthem offers Medicare Advantage plans that deliver the healthcare experience and value consumers are seeking in their health plan. Our portfolio of programs will allow aging seniors to receive services they need to address their specific needs,” added Orozco.

In addition to Medicare Advantage, Anthem offers standalone prescription drug plans (known as Part D plans) in all Georgia counties for people who enroll in Original Medicare, a government-sponsored program. Both the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans utilize a preferred pharmacy network to help members save costs.

Anthem also provides Medicare Supplement plans to Original Medicare enrollees all across the state. These plans help cover costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles at any doctor or medical facility that accepts Medicare. These Supplement plans are generally paired with a prescription drug plan.