Highmark announces 2020 Medicare Advantage and Medigap products for central Pennsylvania

• New $0 Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature plan
• $0 HMO plan offers exceptionally low cost medical benefits and 20% more in network physicians
• Lower monthly premiums for our Freedom Blue PPO plans

CAMP HILL (Oct. 1, 2019) — The annual election period for 2020 Medicare coverage begins October 15 and runs through December 7, and today Highmark Blue Shield announced a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Medigap supplement products for the upcoming year.

"Consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to selecting the right Medicare coverage," said Alexis Miller, senior vice president of Senior Markets at Highmark. "Whether it's a Medicare Advantage plan or Medigap supplements, Highmark has a plan for everyone that includes affordable monthly premiums, robust benefits and low out-of-pocket costs."

For 2020, Highmark is introducing a new $0 Community Blue Medicare PPO Signature plan that offers a robust package of medical and supplemental benefits, which includes:

• $0 co-pays for primary care visits
• $0 co-pays for tier one preferred generic drugs at preferred pharmacies
• No deductibles
• $2000 in comprehensive dental coverage, as well as preventive dental, vision, fitness and hearing benefits and an allowance for Over The Counter items
• Coverage for both In-and Out-of-network physicians and hospitals

Highmark has also enhanced its Community Blue Medicare PPO Distinct plans by lowering costs for inpatient hospital stay, reducing copays for specialists and physical therapy, and reducing the annual out-of-pocket maximum. Primary care visits will still have a $0 co-pay as well as no deductible and $0 co-pays for tier one preferred generic drugs at preferred pharmacies. Community Blue Medicare PPO Distinct offers a wide array of supplemental benefits, which now includes a $2000 comprehensive dental allowance, vision, hearing and fitness benefits and an allowance for Over the Counter items. Members will have access to both in-network and out-of-network providers at home or while traveling elsewhere in the United States.

The $0 premium Community Blue Medicare HMO Signature products have been improved to include lower costs for specialist visits, inpatient hospital stays, outpatient surgery, and more. The network has been expanded with access to 20% more in network doctors, so members will benefit from even greater access to local physicians. This HMO is a great value for anyone who wants more coverage for medical and prescription drugs, but doesn't need supplemental benefits like dental or vision.

Highmark is lowering monthly premiums and improving benefits for its Freedom Blue PPO plans, with reduced co-pays for covered services, lower annual out-of-pocket maximum, higher allowance for eyewear and $0 routine hearing exams.

In an effort to expand consumer choice and help control the rising cost of prescription drugs, Highmark has added new pharmacies and lowered the prices of many prescription drugs within its preferred pharmacy network. Highmark's preferred network includes over 1,700 locations across PA and close to 25,000 across the United States.

Highmark offers a wide range of Medigap Blue supplemental products that help fill in the gaps of Original Medicare by providing assistance paying for your share (i.e. deductibles, coinsurance and copayments) of the costs for Medicare-covered services. Medigap Blue also provides the freedom and flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. Additionally, members of Highmark Medigap Blue plans have exclusive access to the exciting new Whole Health Balance program, which provides extra coverage for routine hearing, vision, dental and fitness services, all of which are not covered by Original Medicare.

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.