Highmark BSNENY significantly enhances 2022 Medicare Advantage products

• Introducing Freedom Basic (PPO), a new $0 premium plan with a $50 Part B buyback to put money back in members’ pockets
• Reducing specialist copay on Freedom Nation (PPO)
• Enhancing supplemental benefits in the Blue Total Health package, with new benefits for routine chiropractic, along with acupuncture and massage allowances, available on all plans

Albany N.Y. (October 1, 2021) — Earlier this year, Highmark announced the completion of its affiliation with HealthNow New York Inc. to bring new and innovative programs, resources and advanced technologies to Northeastern New York. Now, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York (Highmark BSNENY) is announcing the details of its 2022 Medicare plans.

“We continue to listen to our customers and Medicare-eligible consumers in all the regions we serve to make our products better and better,” said Alexis Miller, Market President, Federal Markets at Highmark. “When the affiliation with HealthNow was completed, we said we were going to enhance products and services offered to members in Northeastern New York. We are very excited about our 2022 Medicare product offerings and feel that current Medicare members and potential members will like what we have to offer.”

Highmark BSNENY’s brand-new Medicare Advantage offering, Freedom Basic (PPO), includes a $50 Medicare Part B buy-back.  With lower premiums and copays on some products and innovative new benefits like enhancements to the Blue Total Health package, consumers will find a lot to like with Highmark BSNENY coverage.

“Since we completed our affiliation with Highmark, we have seen many positive changes for our members in Northeastern New York,” said Michael Edbauer, president, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York. “Even with those changes, we remain the local company that our members have come to trust for more than 75 years, and with our 2022 Medicare products, we will continue to take care of our Medicare members now and in the future.”

Focusing on member health

As an extension of Highmark BSNENY’s commitment to members, Medicare Advantage plans now include $0 diabetic monitoring supplies, including lancets, glucose monitors, and test strips, which will help members with diabetes to manage their condition more affordably.  In addition, Highmark BSNENY is offering the Senior Savings Model for insulin with some plans in Northeastern New York.  With this model, members receive a 30-day supply of select insulin for $30 at a preferred pharmacy or $35 at a standard pharmacy.

2022 Medicare Advantage products

Highmark BSNENY’s newest coverage option, Freedom Basic (PPO), offers comprehensive medical and drug coverage, a $50 Medicare Part B buy-back, and access to the best doctors and hospitals in Northeastern New York, plus in-network access to BCBSA networks across the country, all for a $0 monthly premium.  This plan also includes coverage for routine chiropractic, an acupuncture and massage allowance, preventive dental, and other services under the Blue Total Health package.

The Freedom (HMO) plan offers predictable costs for physician and hospital services across a broad network of providers in Northeastern New York, plus preventive dental coverage, for a $0 premium.

The Freedom Value (HMO) plan offers predictable costs for physician and hospital services, retail and mail-order prescription drug coverage, plus preventive dental coverage, for a $0 premium.  In addition, this plan offers the Senior Savings Model for insulin, where members can receive a 30-day supply of insulin for $30 at a preferred pharmacy or $35 at a standard pharmacy.

The Freedom Nation (PPO) plan offers all of the great coverage of the Freedom Value (HMO) plan, including prescription drug, preventive dental, routine chiropractic, and acupuncture/massage allowance.  It also includes the Senior Savings Model for insulin.  This plan provides in-network access to the BCBSA network of physicians and hospitals across the country.

The Freedom Plus (HMO) plan offers low copays for PCPs and specialists, retail and mail-order prescription drug coverage, plus preventive dental coverage, for an affordable monthly premium.  In addition, this plan offers the Senior Savings Model for insulin, where members can receive a 30-day supply of insulin for $30 at a preferred pharmacy or $35 at a standard pharmacy.

The Senior Blue 652 (HMO) plan offers $0 PCP copays and a $0 prescription drug deductible, plus preventive dental coverage.  In addition, this plan offers the Senior Savings Model for insulin, where members can receive a 30-day supply of insulin for $30 at a preferred pharmacy or $35 at a standard pharmacy.

The Forever Blue 770 (PPO) plan offers low copays for PCPs and specialists and a $0 prescription drug deductible, plus preventive dental coverage.  In addition, this plan offers the Senior Savings Model for insulin, where members can receive a 30-day supply of insulin for $30 at a preferred pharmacy or $35 at a standard pharmacy.  This plan provides in-network access to the BCBSA network of physicians and hospitals across the country.

Highmark BSNENY offers a wide range of Medigap supplemental products to ensure that everyone can find the right Medicare plan for them.  Medigap lowers members’ out of pocket costs and offers the freedom and flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare.

Detailed descriptions of all Highmark BSNENY’s Medicare Advantage plans, including network and pricing are available at www.bsneny.com/Medicare.

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