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Dec 1, 2019

2020 Medicare Advantage updates

The enhanced BlueCHiP for Medicare Value (HMO-POS) plan, new for 2020, delivers maximum savings by making a number of benefits available at no cost to them. These benefits include:

  • $0 monthly premium
  • $0 primary care provider visits at patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs)
  • $0 labs and X-rays
  • $0 prescription drug deductible
  • $0 generic drugs in tiers 1 & 2
  • $0 rides to the doctor

Also new for 2020 is the HealthMate for Medicare (PPO) plan, which offers a wide national network with no referral requirements, an open pharmacy network, a $2,000 dental benefit including crowns, and flat-dollar copays for most in-network and out-of-network benefits.

BlueCHiP for Medicare Value and HealthMate for Medicare also offer benefits designed to help support members’ wellness goals, including:

  • A wellness reimbursement of $200 a year – This benefit can be used toward a favorite healthy activity or device, like fitness classes, dance classes, weight-loss programs, golf lessons, sneakers, and more.
  • A fitness tracker – A no-cost Max Buzz™ activity monitoring device offers real-time information. This can be paired with the Virgin Pulse® wellness program to increase physical activity.
  • Acupuncture – This new benefit allows members to pay just $20/visit for up to 12 visits per year.

In addition, a number of benefits have been added or enhanced for all BCBSRI Medicare Advantage plans, including:

  • Dental coverage – Quality dental coverage is included in most plans, including 90 percent of Rhode Island dentists in the BCBSRI network.
  • CVS Pharmacy® over-the-counter (OTC) benefit – Between $25 and $200 per quarter (depending on the plan) to use on health-related items at CVS online, by phone, or at 23 different Rhode Island locations.
  • $0 mail order drugs – A $0 copay for a 90-day supply of many generic drugs in Tiers 1 & 2 delivered to members’ doors. Excludes medical-only plans.
  • Hearing – No-cost routine office hearing visits and up to two hearing aids for as low as a $200 copay per ear, plus a three-year supply of batteries, and a hearing aid fitting and evaluation.
  • Meals At no cost, members are able to receive 2 nutritious meals per day for 7 days, for a total of 14 meals delivered to their door. An inpatient stay from a hospital is required to receive the meals; this does not include an observation stay.
  • Allowance for glasses and vision hardware – No cost routine office vision visits and a $100-$200 allowance (depending on the plan) if you need glasses or vision hardware.
  • $0 national gym benefit BCBSRI members receive a $0 national gym benefit with more than 14,000 fitness centers across the country.
  • Rides to doctors’ visits – Up to 24 one-way trips to make it easier to visit a primary care provider (PCP) or specialist.

If you have any questions, feel free to visit the BCBSRI Medicare website at www.bcbsri.com/medicare.