Blue Shield of California has officially unveiled a new assortment of plans, each designed to dispatch trusted, reliable coverage, and better support for those who need it most.
According to certain reports; in light of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) starting from October 15 and running through December 7, members and new enrollees can come expecting to choose from a wide range of health plan options that align with their lifestyle, budget, and health goals.
“At Blue Shield of California, we’re proud to serve Medicare members with compassion and care,” said Alex Uhm, vice president and general manager of Medicare at Blue Shield of California. “We remain committed to the people and communities we serve by offering trusted guidance, innovative support and affordable health plan options that help members live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”
Talk about the benefits of Blue Shield’s latest brainchild on a slightly deeper level, they begin from a Price Check My Rx tool, which makes it possible for members to compare prices, and therefore, explore lower-cost drug alternatives.
Next up, there is the prospect of real-time mobile push notifications. This translates to how members can opt-in to receive alerts regarding lower-priced prescription drug options right when their drugs are prescribed, something which sets the basis for more informed decisions before visiting the pharmacy.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in Blue Shield’s updated pharmacy locator, which can guide you in the context of narrowing searches through filters like “open 24 hours”, “7-day availability”, and “drive through access”.
Markedly enough, the beneficiaries of these plans can also access Amazon Pharmacy, a trusted avenue which ensures convenient prescription home delivery service with free 5-day shipping (2-day shipping for Amazon Prime members). In fact, members taking multiple medications daily also have the option to use PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy, a no-cost service which pre-sorts the medications into daily packets.
Beyond that, we must touch upon how Blue Shield continues to expand the Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (HMO D-SNP) in Los Angeles and San Diego so to provide wrap-around care for members eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal. This particular plan, for better understanding, brings to your disposal food and produce allowance through the Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically III (SSBCI) benefit (member eligibility required) via a flexible benefits card.
One may also avail hearing aid allowance via a flexible benefits card. Alongside that, while simultaneously enjoying comprehensive care coordination and chronic condition management.
Moving on to benefits from the previous iterations that will remain available, they include $0 or low monthly premiums on many plans, dental vision, and hearing coverage, Not just that, the assortment also includes fitness program, NurseHelp 24/7, and Teladoc Health, as well as access to a broad network of trusted doctors and hospitals across California.
Among other things, it ought to be acknowledged how Blue Shield is helping members take advantage of benefits available through the Inflation Reduction Act. These benefits include a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap for Medicare Part D prescription drugs. Apart from that, we have the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which allows for members to spread Part D prescription cost-sharing into monthly payments.
Founded in, 1939, Blue Shield of California’s rise up the ranks stems from providing health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. As for the scale of its operations, it can be better contextualized once you consider the organization has more than 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue.
“Medicare can feel overwhelming – especially with all of the choices seniors face,” said Uhm. “At Blue Shield, we are committed to simplifying the process and guiding our members with tools, support and benefits that help them make confident decisions about their care.”
