When the Social Security Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Medicare was formed, creating a government-run public insurance option for United States citizens aged 65 or over.
Today, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). While Medicare offers a solid foundation of health care coverage, there are holes which some beneficiaries choose to fill by purchasing private plans.
Anthem, a subsidiary of Wellpoint, offers a number of Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans in the states of Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
This article reviews the Anthem Shield plans, details their coverages, and provides general information for those plans offered across multiple states.
Blue Anthem Cross Medicare Advantage Plans
The Anthem Shield offerings include a range of Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately sold insurance policies that replace Original Medicare and add additional coverages. Below are some of the plans offered:
- Anthem Shield Advantage HMO – in this plan, beneficiaries are provided with a network of health care providers within which they must find the care they need. In addition, beneficiaries must choose a primary care physician. Those enrolled don't have to have seek referrals for specialist care; additionally, those enrolled automatically receive Part D prescription drug coverage;
- Anthem Shield Advantage PPO – in this plan, those enrolled have the freedom to choose providers both within and without the provided network. A major benefit is that beneficiaries can keep their doctors; just like the HMO, Part D coverage is included;
- Anthem Shield Advantage PFFS – in this private-fee-for-service plan, beneficiaries can seek care at any facility which accepts Medicare. This plan also included Part D drug coverage.
Costs and specific benefits depend upon the offerings in each state, and interested parties should visit any Anthem or BCBS website serving their state.
Blue Anthem Cross Medicare Part D Plans
Medicare Part D plans, which add additional prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, are available from Anthem Shield.
While the plans differ depending upon the state, all plans provide expanded drug coverage for both generic and name-brand medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
In addition, beneficiaries can choose from within a very large network of pharmacies across the coverage area. Costs and specific terms vary depending upon the state and individual plan. For details, beneficiaries should visit the website of any Anthem or BCBS affiliate serving their state.
Blue Anthem Cross Medigap Supplemental Plans
The Anthem Shield supplemental plans provide extended coinsurance, copayment, and deductible benefits across all of its coverage areas. In addition, many plans provide short-term nursing facility coverage and emergency travel benefits.
For details and costs, beneficiaries are encouraged to visit any Anthem or BCBS website serving their state.
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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