Ahead of Medicare open enrollment, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has announced it is expanding its zero dollar premium Medicare Advantage plans to six Colorado counties.
The zero premium plans are available for BCBS's Medicare Advantage classic HMO and the MA dual-eligible special needs plan HMO.
Both feature medical and drug coverage, and give patients the ability to reach doctors for medical and behavioral health services through remote access technologies for a $0 copay.
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Anthem is expanding the zero premium plans to Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, El Paso, Larimer and Pueblo counties, and is continuing to offer MA plans in Denver and Douglas counties.
With the plans, remote access is available on a secure connection over the Internet via a smartphone, tablet or computer using LiveHealth Online, a website that allows patients to connect with doctors around the clock.
"This technology can be a great alternative in a number of situations, including accessing healthcare on evenings and weekends, for people living in rural areas or who travel a lot, and for those with mobility issues," said Joshua D. Martin, president of Anthem Medicare's west region.
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The traditional HMO, called Anthem MediBlue Plus, includes $5 copays at participating primary care physicians as well as a zero copay for certain drugs that treat conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and osteoporosis.
The MA dual-eligible special needs plan, called Anthem MediBlue Dual Advantage, coordinates benefits for people eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare and includes dental, vision and hearing benefits, an over-the-counter drug benefit, podiatry services at no extra cost, transportation to medical services and a no-cost fitness benefit.
Medicare enrollment begins Oct. 15 and ends on Dec. 7.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse