Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Announces Three New Prescription Drug Plans for Medicare Beneficiaries

Plans Will Include Zero Deductible and Low Copayment Options

(Richardson, Texas) – Oct. 3, 2005 – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX)  has introduced three innovative Blue MedicareRxSM prescription drug plans that will offer a broad range of prescription drug options to Medicare beneficiaries.  The three plans, also known as Part D plans, were recently approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Enrollment for these plans begins November 15, 2005 and coverage first becomes effective January 1, 2006.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield is a trusted name for millions of Texas residents, and we are dedicated to meeting their health care needs with a range of product options," said Nancy Donaldson, vice president, Strategic Medicare Business Development, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. "Our new Blue MedicareRx plans will help seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries save on current and future prescription drug expenses. Additionally, we are committed to serving as a valuable resource for information about the new drug coverage and deadlines."

The three new guaranteed-issue Blue MedicareRx plans are designed to be easy to understand, easy to use, and easy on the budget. They offer a broad list of covered brand name and generic medications, and the convenience of an extensive pharmacy network that includes major chains such as Walgreens, CVS, HEB and many independent pharmacies. Plan members can simply show their Blue MedicareRx card at any one of BCBSTX’s participating pharmacies to access their benefits.

Additionally, the new plans can be paired with a Medicare Supplement plan for added flexibility and thorough coverage. While Medicare Supplement plans cover hospital and physician expenses, prescription drug plans add coverage for medication expenses. Beneficiaries in Harris, Montgomery, Jefferson, mainland Galveston and El Paso counties can also choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage PPO plan to obtain prescription drug benefits.

The new Blue MedicareRx plans include: 

• Value plan ($0 deductible, $25.73 monthly premium): The Value plan includes a low 30-day retail copayment of $5 for generic drugs, $40 for preferred brand name drugs and $59 for brand name drugs. Members pay this copayment amount up until the point that they reach $2,250 in annual drug costs. 
• Plus plan: ($0 deductible, $43.32 monthly premium): The Plus plan offers a low 30-day retail copayment of $3 for generic drugs, $20 for preferred brand name drugs and $50 for brand name drugs. Members pay this copayment amount up until the point that they reach $2,250 in annual drug costs.
• Standard government plan ($250 deductible, $25.53 monthly premium): The Standard plan includes a 25 percent coinsurance once the $250 deductible is met. Members pay this copayment amount up until the point that they reach $2,250 in annual drug costs.
  

With all three plans, members pay 100 percent of prescription drug expenses once they reach $2,250 in annual drug costs. After their yearly out-of-pocket costs reach $3,600 they pay the greater of: $2 for generic or a preferred brand drug that is a multiple source drug and $5 for all other drugs, or 5 percent coinsurance. A 90-day mail order option is also available through Walgreens. Plan members who choose this option save one month of copayments.

"Beneficiaries should select a plan based on their current and expected future prescription drug usage, as well as each plan’s formulary and pharmacy network," added Donaldson. "As part of our efforts to make the process easy to understand, Blue Cross is conducting educational seminars throughout Texas to inform beneficiaries about the details of Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage." 

The initial enrollment period begins Nov. 15, 2005 and continues through May 15, 2006. BCBSTX will offer enrollment by phone, online, via mail, and through Blue Cross’ extensive statewide network of certified brokers who are available to assist beneficiaries with selecting a plan. Beneficiaries who do not enroll during this time period will be locked out of the program until Nov. 15, 2006. In addition, they will be assessed a one percent late enrollment penalty for each month they choose not to enroll. In subsequent years, enrollment will be available from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.

While enrollment doesn’t start until Nov. 15, seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries can call  888-579-9373 or order an enrollment kit online to get more information about Blue MedicareRx.

You can obtain more information about Medicare prescription drug coverage or call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227, TTY/TDD users call 877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas refers to HCSC Insurance Services Company, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company. These companies are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and offer or provide services for Medicare Part D products under HCSC Insurance Services Company’s contract S5715 with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

SM Service Mark of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is the only statewide, non-investor owned health coverage provider in Texas, serving more than 4 million members in all 254 counties. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.