Highmark expands 2020 Medicare Advantage products to five new counties in West Virginia

• Highmark Medicare Advantage plans now available in Lincoln, Marshall, Mineral, Morgan, and Wayne counties
• New Medicare Advantage plan launching in 11 counties
• Lower premiums on the Freedom Blue PPO Standard plan
• Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) and Prescription Drug plans available statewide

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Oct. 1, 2019) — The annual election period for 2020 Medicare coverage begins October 15 and runs through December 7, and today Highmark Blue Cross 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 robust benefits and low out-of-pocket costs."

For 2020, Highmark is introducing a new Medicare Advantage plan in 11 counties in West Virginia, Freedom Blue PPO Distinct. It offers both medical and prescription drug coverage as well as a wide array of supplemental benefits, including preventive and comprehensive dental, vison, hearing, 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 plan will include:

• Affordable monthly premiums
• $0 copay for primary care visits
• $0 co-pays for tier one preferred generic drugs at preferred pharmacies
• No deductibles
• $500 comprehensive dental allowance, as well as preventative 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

In addition, Highmark's Freedom Blue PPO Standard plan will be improved in 2020 including:

• Lower monthly premiums
• Lower primary care visit co-pays
• Lower annual out-of-pocket maximum
• No deductibles
• $0 routine hearing co-pay
• Increased eyewear allowance
• Lower dental co-pays
• Coverage for both In-and Out-of-network physicians and hospitals

In order to help improve members experience and control the ever risking cost of prescription drugs, Highmark has added new pharmacies and lowered the prices of many prescription drugs for its preferred retail pharmacy network. Highmark will offer its members a preferred network of over 200 locations across WV and 23,000 across the U.S.A. This network is anchored by CVS, Wal-Mart, Kroger, and several other local pharmacies.

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.