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Friday, October 01, 2021

Highmark significantly enhances Medicare products in 2022 — Harrisburg

  • Putting money back into members’ pockets with a new $22 Part B premium buy-back on the $0 premium Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature plan
  • Improving benefits on our $0 premium Community Blue Medicare HMO plans, including $0 specialist copays
  • Waiving in-patient COVID related cost-sharing for the second year in a row
  • Adding new benefits specifically designed to improve community health, including Onduo, an innovative diabetes management program

Harrisburg, Pa. (October 1, 2021) — Highmark’s Medicare coverage options keep getting better year after year, and 2022 will be no different. From lower premiums and copays to innovative new benefits, consumers will find a lot to like with Highmark coverage. 

“Every year, we listen to our customers’ feedback so we can keep improving our Medicare plans,” said Alexis Miller, Market President, Federal Markets at Highmark. “Highmark prioritizes making healthcare more affordable and making care easier to access by introducing new plan options, adding new benefits, and reducing monthly premiums.”

Focusing on member health

In addition to making product improvements, Highmark is adding many new tools to help make it easier to manage chronic conditions.

“The pandemic has reminded all of us how important it is to take care of each other and protect our health,” said Ellen Galardy, Senior VP, Consumer Markets.  “We didn’t stop thinking about local seniors after we sent the COVID care packages last year.  We continue to add new programs and benefits to our Medicare plans like making sure diabetic supplies are more affordable and providing our members with tools to help manage chronic conditions.”

As an extension of Highmark’s commitment to members, Medicare Advantage plans now include $0 diabetic testing supplies, which will help members with diabetes to manage their condition more affordably.  In addition, Highmark is offering the Onduo enhanced diabetes management program on all plans.  This innovative program is designed to help members manage their Type 2 diabetes with personalized tools and expert guidance, in coordination with their physician.

Highmark is also offering the PAPA Pals program to combat social isolation. The PAPA Pals program provides a qualified helper for home visits, short distance travel for errands and appointments, and companionship for social activities such as health club visits, walking or gardening. PAPA Pals is available with some Highmark products in the Harrisburg area.

2022 Medicare Advantage products

The Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature product includes a $22 Part B premium buy-back and a lower one-time per-admission copay for in-network hospitals.  It also provides broad access to doctors and hospitals in the region, including Penn State Health and Wellspan, plus all UPMC Pinnacle hospitals, plus in-network access to BCBSA networks across the country and lots of supplemental benefits, like an allowance for comprehensive dental that covers crowns, root canals, and more.

The Community Blue Medicare PPO Distinct plan offers all of the same access to hospitals and physicians as the Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature plan, plus lots of supplemental benefits, and helps members manage healthcare costs with even more affordable access to specialists.  The Senior Savings Model on this plan includes a 31-day supply of insulin for a $35 copay.  And this year, the monthly premium has been reduced by $10 to just $25 per month.

The improved $0 Community Blue Medicare HMO Signature product now offers a $0 copay for specialist visits.  This plan provides preferred access to doctors and hospitals at Penn State Health and Wellspan, plus UPMC Harrisburg and UPMC West Shore.  The Senior Savings Model on this plan includes a 31-day supply of insulin for a $35 copay.  Plus, this plan includes the PAPA Pals program.

The Freedom Blue PPO plan benefits from lower premiums, new $0 transportation copay, and $0 diabetic testing supplies, as well as valuable features to help members recover from serious illness like our post-discharge meal delivery service. PAPA Pals is included on some Freedom Blue PPO plans.

Additional 2022 Highmark product offerings for Medicare-eligible individuals include:

Highmark offers a wide range of Medigap Blue supplemental products to ensure that everyone can find the right Highmark Medicare plan for them.  Medigap Blue lowers members’ out of pocket costs and offers the freedom and flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. Additionally, members of Highmark Medigap Blue plans have exclusive access to the Whole Health Balance program, which provides extra coverage for hearing aids, vision, dental and fitness.

Highmark also offers standalone Blue Rx PDP prescription drug plans.

Detailed descriptions of all Highmark Medicare Advantage plans, including network and pricing are available at Shop.Highmark.com/Medicare.

Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Senior Health Company, and Highmark Senior Solutions Company are Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. HM Health Insurance Company is a PDP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Senior Health Company, Highmark Senior Solutions Company, and HM Health Insurance Company depends on contract renewal.

Health benefits or health benefit administration may be provided by or through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Senior Health Company, Highmark Senior Solutions Company, or Highmark Health Insurance Company, all of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.  All references to “Highmark” in this document are references to the Highmark company that is providing the member’s health benefits or health benefit administration.

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About Highmark Inc.
One of America's leading health insurance organizations and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc. (the Health Plan) and its affiliated health plans (collectively, the Health Plans) work passionately to deliver high-quality, accessible, understandable, and affordable experiences, outcomes, and solutions to customers. As the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization, Highmark Inc. and its Blue-branded affiliates proudly cover the insurance needs of more than 6 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

For more information, contact

Leilyn Perri
Highmark Health
717-302-4243
leilyn.perri@highmarkhealth.org