Regence BlueShield expands availability of 2020 Medicare Advantage plans, offers more high-quality options and benefits to meet diverse health care needs and budgets

During Medicare’s annual election period, occurring now through Dec. 7*, people shopping for Medicare coverage options will have a wider range of high-quality, cost-effective coverage and benefits with Regence’s 2020 Medicare Advantage plans. This includes offering new health plan options in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Mason, and Whatcom counties.

Current Regence members and those looking to change plans have even more choices, with coverage starting Jan. 1, 2020. For select plans, Regence Medicare Advantage plans are available with monthly premiums as low as $0 with medical benefits, which can include alternative care benefits such as acupuncture, naturopathy and/or expanded coverage for chiropractic services with no referrals needed.

New and expanded health plan benefits, personalized coverage options

Select 2020 Regence Medicare Advantage plans offer many high-quality benefits, including:

• New therapeutic massage benefit for pain management.
• $0 HMO or PPO plan for Medicare-eligible veterans with additional benefits beyond what their veteran benefits cover.
• New $0 meal home delivery; qualifying members can receive up to 2 fully-prepared meals daily for 28 days after a hospital, skilled nursing or rehabilitation stay.
• Expanded Silver&Fit® network with access to over 14,000 fitness center locations and select YMCAs that include specially-designed group classes at no cost, or up to two Home Fitness kits per year in place of a fitness center membership. New for 2020: a four-tier network of specialty exercise clubs that offer discounted membership dues depending on the tier level.

“When shopping for Medicare coverage in 2020, it’s important for people to think about specific health care needs, current doctors and conditions, personal budgets, and customer service support,” says Kathleen Faulk, general manager of government programs for Regence. “We’re excited to offer expanded benefits and alternative care options so that Regence members have more ways to maintain and improve their health holistically. Health care is personal and diverse, so health plans should reflect this reality.”

Comprehensive benefit coverage, locally and nationwide

In addition to expanded benefits, select 2020 Regence Medicare Advantage plans can also offer:

• No deductible for generic prescription drugs, including drugs to treat chronic conditions
• Low $3 copay on preferred generic drugs at a preferred pharmacy
• Prescription discounts available by mail-order or retail pharmacies with three-month supplies
• $0 copay for dental cleanings, exams and x-rays
• $0 copay annual eye exam and vision hardware allowance
• Routine hearing exam and hearing aid coverage for all plans
• Virtual access to care, known as telehealth, for certain physical and mental health services
• Nationwide access to in-network providers contracted with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association PPO Network Sharing Program
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® Core program for access to urgent and emergency care in over 190 countries and territories around the world

Strong Star Ratings for all 2020 Regence Medicare Advantage plans

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Recently, Regence BlueShield announced its 2020 Star Ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), earning 4 Stars for its Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans. Achieving a rating of 4 Stars or higher indicates that a health plan is performing above average compared to other health plans, and reflects Regence’s relentless commitment to provide high-quality, cost-effective coverage to Medicare members.

Additional Regence Medicare coverage options and support

Regence will continue offering its Medicare Supplement plans that cover costs beyond Original Medicare coverage, and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) for those who want to add prescription drug coverage to their Medicare Supplement and/or Medicare plan.

Regardless of the plan they choose, all Regence Medicare members have access to resources and support at no additional cost. This includes the Regence mobile app and regence.com member portal, along with the Regence Advice24 nurse line which offers 24/7 access to a registered nurse, via computer or mobile device. Regence members also have access to its award-winning Customer Service team.

More information about Regence’s Medicare Advantage plans is available at regence.com/medicare. Regence Medicare plan advisors are also available by calling 1 (844) REGENCE (734-3623), 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Time during Medicare’s annual election period; otherwise plan advisors are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Current Regence members can call the number on the back of their card with any questions about their current Medicare Advantage plan or 2020 options. Customer Service can be reached 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week from Oct. 1 through March 31; otherwise hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

* Those enrolled in Medicare can sign up or switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare’s annual election period (AEP) that runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year with a Jan. 1 coverage effective date.

Regence is an HMO/PPO/PDP plan with a Medicare contract.  Enrollment in Regence depends on contract renewal. Other providers are available in our network.  Regence complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.  ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística.  Llame al 1-800-541-8981 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-800-541-8981（TTY: 711).

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