BCBSWi: Blue Cross Shield of Wisconsin Offers New Blue MedicareRx Plans

Affordable, Quality Prescription Drug Plans Now Available to Medicare Beneficiaries in Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently awarded contracts to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin
(BCBSWi) affiliate companies to offer Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans (prescription drug plans) to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in Wisconsin. As a result, BCBSWi today announced it is offering new Blue MedicareRx plans designed to help enhance affordability, increase access and provide exceptional value for Medicare beneficiaries statewide.

Three Blue MedicareRx plans will be offered at different prices to meet the varying needs of Medicare beneficiaries:
* Blue MedicareRx Value – $20.55
* Blue MedicareRx Plus – $28.56
* Blue MedicareRx Premier – $35.29

Product highlights include:
* Cover both brand name and generic drugs
* All plans can be purchased independently or in conjunction
with an existing health coverage plan
* Convenient access to prescription drugs through most retail
pharmacies nationwide
* An option to obtain prescription drugs via mail order
pharmacy
* Services through a trusted, financially stable Blue Cross &
Blue Shield Plan

Blue Medicare Rx plans are available to:
* People who have Part A and/or Part B
* People who have purchased Medicare Supplemental coverage
without pharmacy benefits
* People who have Medicare Supplemental coverage with drug
coverage and want to discontinue the drug portion of their Supplemental coverage
* People who are turning 65 and/or becoming eligible for
Medicare

“We are contributing to one of the most significant changes to Medicare history,” said Susan Rawlings, Senior Vice President and President of Senior Services for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin. “We hope that by offering these new Blue MedicareRx plans we can increase access and choice for Medicare beneficiaries statewide.”

In addition, BCBSWi’s SmartValue Private Fee For Service (PFFS) plan offers two new and affordable health plan options for eligible Medicare beneficiaries, one with the drug benefit built in for a $4 monthly plan premium and a second plan without drug coverage for a $0 monthly plan premium, along with low co-payments for office visits and other medical services. SmartValue offers coverage of medical care and services including hospital and physician services, brand and generic drugs, and additional benefits not offered by Medicare such as vision, hearing and physical exams. SmartValue plan enrollees may see any doctor of their choice and any specialist without a referral.

For more information about Blue MedicareRx plans, please visit www.bluecrosswisconsin.com or call (800) 216-5572.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin is one of the State’s largest health insurers. Headquartered in Milwaukee, the company offers a flexible product portfolio with a broad range of options for small, medium and large groups, as well as individual plans for people without access to group coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., the nation’s largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company serving the health care needs of 28.8 million medical members nationally. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and can be found on the web at www.bluecrosswisconsin.com.

Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. is the entity contracting with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is licensed to offer this Part D plan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin is providing marketing, administrative and sales support services.