The Health Plan Introduces New Medicare Advantage Plans
In addition to our SecureCare HMO, The Health Plan is pleased to announce two new Medicare Advantage plan options for Medicare eligibles in 2008: the SecureChoice PPO and the SecureFreedom Private Fee-For-Service.
The basic benefits provided by these plans are nearly identical. Each of the three features low, predictable copays, out-of-pocket limits, preventive care benefits and virtually no paperwork. Each plan is available with or without Medicare Part D prescription coverage.
Depending upon the county in which
the enrollee resides, monthly plan
premiums for SecureCare range from $0
to $55; for SecureChoice, from $20 to $75;
and for SecureFreedom, from $40 to $95.
With SecureCare, in most cases, the member must use network healthcare providers. SecureChoice offers in- and out-of-network coverage, but the member may pay more when going out of the network. On the other hand, with SecureFreedom, the member may access care from any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan’s terms and conditions, which are available at www.healthplan.org.
In addition to the new plan options, The Health Plan has expanded its Medicare Advantage service area to offer its plans in 15 more counties throughout Ohio and West Virginia in 2008. These counties include: Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Trumbull and Washington, in Ohio; and Calhoun, Pleasants, Ritchie, Webster, Wirt and Wood, in West Virginia.
For more information about The Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage options, call our St. Clairsville office at 1.877.847.7915 (TTY/TDD 1.800.622.3925), or our Massillon office at 1.877.236.2290 (TTY/TDD 1.877.236. 2291), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Employees Send Holiday Cheer to Troops Overseas
Employees of The Health Plan sent 500 Christmas stockings to troops serving overseas via Boatsie’s Boxes, a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to send care packages to any deployed troop in need of support.
“To raise money for the stockings and the contents, three fundraisers were held during October in our Massillon and St. Clairsville offices,” said Mary Ann Saunders, director of human resources for The Health Plan. “Our employees are very generous and enjoy working together on special causes.”
Fundraisers included a root beer float sale, a hot dog luncheon and a “Build Your Own Sundae” event. Nearly $5,000 was raised and was used to purchase the stockings and the items to fill them, such as snack foods, gum and personal care items.
“For some of our troops, this was their fourth Christmas away from friends and family,” said Carla Bell, human resources coordinator who, along with Saunders, organized The Health Plan’s fundraisers. “Especially during the holiday season, they need our support more than ever.”
In 2007, Boatsie’s Boxes received requests from troops for more than 17,000 stockings. “Our brave men and women of the United States military deserve nothing less than our full support,” said Gail “Boatsie” VanVranken, founder of the program. “We appreciate the enthusiasm and generosity of organizations such as The Health Plan, who help us to fill as many of these requests as possible.”
Besides Christmas stockings, Boatsie’s other projects include Valentine Hearts, Easter/Spring and Operation Beat the Heat. For more information about Boatsie’s Boxes, call 304.232.5277 or visit www.boatsie.com.
Inhalers Discontinued
An international agreement signed by the United States mandates that albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), such as Proventil® or Ventolin® inhalers, using chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) as propellants, must no longer be produced, marketed or sold in the U.S. after December 31, 2008.
In response to that agreement, manufacturers have already discontinued production of generic CFC inhalers. As a result, Medco will deplete its supply of albuterol CFC inhalers in mid-December 2007. Once that supply is exhausted, members will have to start using hydrofluoroalkane134 (HFA), inhalers, such as Proventil HFA, and start paying a brand copay or coinsurance, since all HFA inhalers are available only as branded products.
If you have any questions about HFA inhalers, please talk to your doctor. You can also call Medco Member Services at the toll-free number on your prescription label or on your prescription drug ID card. Registered pharmacists are available to speak with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HealthWise Archived (Past) Newsletters
| Volume 7, Issue 2 | Articles on Good Dental Health, Protecting Your Kidneys, Coverage for Chiropractic Services, Annual Flu Clinics and more |
| Volume 7, Issue 1 | Articles on NCQA Award; Reaching Your Doctor After Hours; Healthy Babies, Your Child's Health and more |
| Volume 6, Issue 1 | Articles include Medicare Part D Q&A; Benefit Knowledge; the Battle of the Bulge and more |
| Volume 6, Issue 2 | Articles include Cambridge Area Hospital Added to SecureCare Members' Network; Medicare Drug Card Questions; the Health Benefits of Chocolate; SecureCare - Health Coverage and a Medicare Prescription Benefit Drug Plan and more |
| Volume 6, Issue 3 | Articles include College Freshmen at Risk for Meningitis; Preventing Pneumonia & Flu - Immunize; Don't Be Blinded by Diabetes and more |