Contracts Mean More Options for Medicare Advantage Members
MILWAUKEE, Wis., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin (Anthem) announced it has signed agreements with Aurora Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare to provide services to their Medicare Advantage members in Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha counties. These agreements add two of the state’s most robust physician’s groups to Anthem’s network.
“We are pleased to add Aurora Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare to our network of providers,” said Steve Martenet, president of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Wisconsin. “Anthem continuously works to increase accessibility to our members and the addition of these premiere providers with their multiple locations and specialties combined with our existing provider contracts further enhances and strengthens the provider network we can offer to our Medicare Advantage members.”
In addition to a robust network of doctors, medical personnel and facilities, the Anthem Senior Advantage Health Maintenance Organization, HMO, which Anthem is reintroducing to Wisconsin Medicare beneficiaries in 2008, offers members a $0 premium and Part D prescription drug coverage options that include generic drug coverage in the coverage gap. The Anthem Medicare Preferred Provider Organization, PPO, also new to the market in 2008, provides members access to a broad network of doctors and medical services within the network with no referral required for care in or out of network. The PPO plan also includes Part D prescription drug coverage options that include generic drug coverage in the coverage gap. Both plans offer members access to the Healthways SilverSneakers(R), Fitness Program which encourages members to increase their levels of physical activity and motivates them to continue this healthy lifestyle behavior.
“We recognize the importance of offering innovative and preventive health care options to our members,” said Martenet. “In addition to helping older adults stay physically healthy, SilverSneakers also offers a great way for them to socialize, meet new friends and have fun.”
Developed in 1992, SilverSneakers is specifically designed to meet Medicare beneficiaries’ unique health and physical needs. At no additional cost to their health plan membership, eligible members receive access to any participating fitness center, YMCA, JCC or class site. There, they can enjoy specialized SilverSneakers fitness classes, taught by certified SilverSneakers instructors, focusing on improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.
In addition, participants also receive other basic fitness center membership amenities such as use of exercise equipment (e.g., treadmills, exercise bikes, etc.), weight training, and other fitness offerings (e.g., aerobics, social events). A unique reciprocity agreement allows SilverSneakers members the opportunity to visit any of more than 2600 participating locations across the nation when they travel. Because nearly 60% of SilverSneakers members are new to the fitness center scene, each location has a specially trained Senior Advisor(SM) to assist members in utilizing fitness center resources and classes.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name used by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (“BCBSWi”) and Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (“Compcare”), independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
In Wisconsin, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the largest health insurers. BCBSWi and Compcare are subsidiaries of WellPoint, Inc. WellPoint, Inc. is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and serves its members as the Blue Cross licensee for California; the Blue Cross and Blue Shield licensee for Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area), Nevada, New Hampshire, New York (as Blue Cross Blue Shield in 10 New York City metropolitan counties and as Blue Cross or Blue Cross Blue Shield in selected upstate counties only), Ohio, Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.), Wisconsin; and through UniCare.
