ARTICLE
More than 5 million Medicare beneficiaries in Florida to choose a coverage option during the Medicare Annual Election Period that begins on October 15. West Palm Beach, FL – October 14, 2024 – Florida Blue Medicare, a mission-driven organization and part of a not-for-profit mutual holding company serving the needs of Floridians, released details of its 2025 Medicare offerings. During AEP, which runs from October 15 to December 7, Medicare eligible individuals can switch or join the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan of their choosing for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2025. This year, Florida Blue Medicare is offering Palm Beach County Medicare beneficiaries the choice of 4 Medicare Advantage plans, including 3 options available for a $0 monthly plan premium. Once again, Florida Blue Medicare is offering a Medicare Advantage plan designed for veterans. Approximately 719,000 veterans over age 65 live in the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Our BlueMedicare Patriot PPO plan provides members with $75 toward their monthly Medicare Part B premium and helps veterans save money by not including Part D prescription drug coverage, which many veterans receive through Veterans Affairs. "Choosing the right health coverage can be a complex and overwhelming process," says Camille Harrison, Florida Blue’s executive vice president of Medicare and chief innovation and experience officer. "That’s why we’re focused on providing health solutions that make it easier for our members to choose the plan that’s right for their individual needs, including hearing, vision and dental benefits. We also work closely with like-minded, innovative providers to make sure they share our vision and will provide the personalized care and services our members deserve.” More than?one in five Floridians?are enrolled in Medicare, and more than half of those beneficiaries enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. Florida Blue Medicare offers a range of plans with comprehensive benefits, including: · Exceptional supplemental benefits and value-added perks on most BlueMedicare Medicare Advantage plans:?Members can access dental care, vision and hearing annual allowances, and the Silver Sneakers® fitness program. · Extra benefits for members with chronic health conditions:?Individuals with certain ongoing health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and chronic and disabling behavioral health conditions, dementia, or neurologic disorders can qualify for additional benefits through our BlueMedicare Premier HMO plan. For most members, benefits include extra money each quarter for over-the-counter meds, dietician consultations, free meals delivered to their home, and transportation services. · Transportation:?To help make sure transportation isn’t a barrier to care, many Florida Blue Medicare plans provide rides to doctor appointments at $0 extra cost. · Personalized condition management and guidance:?A team of registered nurses are dedicated to members with complex injuries, or who are chronically ill, very sick, or near the end of life, providing coaching and help to deal with their illness, follow their treatment plans, and get the care and support they need. · Support for caregivers:?Florida Blue Medicare offers digital tools, resources, and personalized expert advice to help caregivers care for themselves and their loved ones. Support includes financial advice, assistance in finding local resources for help at home or at senior living facilities, plus tips to support mental well-being and manage decision-making as a family. · Saving money with?Blue365®:?A free health and wellness discount program with year-round exclusive discounts of up to 50% on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating options, and more. · Neighborhood Florida Blue Centers:?Those looking for personalized support, help finding caregiving resources in their community, or assistance finding a doctor can reach out to their local Florida Blue Center and talk with a registered nurse in person or on the phone. It’s easy to find a local center at?FloridaBlue.com/Center?or by calling?1-877-352-5830. “There are significant changes coming to the Medicare Advantage program in 2025. It’s the largest transformation to happen in Medicare in over 20 years — since the addition of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage,” says David Wagner, Florida Blue market president for South Florida. “We want to make sure Medicare-eligible residents across South Florida have the information they need to make informed decisions about their health care options to ensure they have the coverage that best meets their needs. That’s why this year, especially, it's essential to carefully review your options during AEP and talk to a licensed agent if you have questions.” To learn more about AEP and Medicare Advantage options offered by Florida Blue Medicare, individuals can visit our website at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare or visit a local Florida Blue Center. About Florida Blue Medicare Florida Blue Medicare is committed to helping our Florida neighbors live healthier. We offer a wide range of plan options, including Medicare Advantage plans, to give Florida’s Medicare-eligible population what they need to live their best lives and improve their overall health and well-being. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue Medicare is proud to be affiliated with Florida Blue, a health insurer that has served Floridians for 80 years. Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blue365® offers access to savings on items that Members may purchase directly from independent vendors, which are different from items that are covered under the policies with your Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Company (each a “Blue Company”), its contracts with Medicare, or any other applicable federal healthcare program. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under your Blue Company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, they are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding these products and services may be subject to your Blue Company’s grievance process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. BCBSA does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guarantee any specific Blue365 vendor or item. Visit blue365deals.com for more information. HealthyBlue Rewards Program (HealthyBlue) restrictions and limitations may apply.
More than 5 million Medicare beneficiaries in Florida to choose a coverage option during the Medicare Annual Election Period that begins on October 15.
West Palm Beach, FL – October 14, 2024 – Florida Blue Medicare, a mission-driven organization and part of a not-for-profit mutual holding company serving the needs of Floridians, released details of its 2025 Medicare offerings.
During AEP, which runs from October 15 to December 7, Medicare eligible individuals can switch or join the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan of their choosing for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2025.
This year, Florida Blue Medicare is offering Palm Beach County Medicare beneficiaries the choice of 4 Medicare Advantage plans, including 3 options available for a $0 monthly plan premium.
Once again, Florida Blue Medicare is offering a Medicare Advantage plan designed for veterans. Approximately 719,000 veterans over age 65 live in the state of Florida, according to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Our BlueMedicare Patriot PPO plan provides members with $75 toward their monthly Medicare Part B premium and helps veterans save money by not including Part D prescription drug coverage, which many veterans receive through Veterans Affairs.
"Choosing the right health coverage can be a complex and overwhelming process," says Camille Harrison, Florida Blue’s executive vice president of Medicare and chief innovation and experience officer. "That’s why we’re focused on providing health solutions that make it easier for our members to choose the plan that’s right for their individual needs, including hearing, vision and dental benefits. We also work closely with like-minded, innovative providers to make sure they share our vision and will provide the personalized care and services our members deserve.”
More than?one in five Floridians?are enrolled in Medicare, and more than half of those beneficiaries enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. Florida Blue Medicare offers a range of plans with comprehensive benefits, including:
· Exceptional supplemental benefits and value-added perks on most BlueMedicare Medicare Advantage plans:?Members can access dental care, vision and hearing annual allowances, and the Silver Sneakers® fitness program.
· Extra benefits for members with chronic health conditions:?Individuals with certain ongoing health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and chronic and disabling behavioral health conditions, dementia, or neurologic disorders can qualify for additional benefits through our BlueMedicare Premier HMO plan. For most members, benefits include extra money each quarter for over-the-counter meds, dietician consultations, free meals delivered to their home, and transportation services.
· Transportation:?To help make sure transportation isn’t a barrier to care, many Florida Blue Medicare plans provide rides to doctor appointments at $0 extra cost.
· Personalized condition management and guidance:?A team of registered nurses are dedicated to members with complex injuries, or who are chronically ill, very sick, or near the end of life, providing coaching and help to deal with their illness, follow their treatment plans, and get the care and support they need.
· Support for caregivers:?Florida Blue Medicare offers digital tools, resources, and personalized expert advice to help caregivers care for themselves and their loved ones. Support includes financial advice, assistance in finding local resources for help at home or at senior living facilities, plus tips to support mental well-being and manage decision-making as a family.
· Saving money with?Blue365®:?A free health and wellness discount program with year-round exclusive discounts of up to 50% on gym memberships, fitness gear, healthy eating options, and more.
· Neighborhood Florida Blue Centers:?Those looking for personalized support, help finding caregiving resources in their community, or assistance finding a doctor can reach out to their local Florida Blue Center and talk with a registered nurse in person or on the phone. It’s easy to find a local center at?FloridaBlue.com/Center?or by calling?1-877-352-5830.
“There are significant changes coming to the Medicare Advantage program in 2025. It’s the largest transformation to happen in Medicare in over 20 years — since the addition of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage,” says David Wagner, Florida Blue market president for South Florida. “We want to make sure Medicare-eligible residents across South Florida have the information they need to make informed decisions about their health care options to ensure they have the coverage that best meets their needs. That’s why this year, especially, it's essential to carefully review your options during AEP and talk to a licensed agent if you have questions.”
To learn more about AEP and Medicare Advantage options offered by Florida Blue Medicare, individuals can visit our website at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare or visit a local Florida Blue Center.
About Florida Blue Medicare
Florida Blue Medicare is committed to helping our Florida neighbors live healthier. We offer a wide range of plan options, including Medicare Advantage plans, to give Florida’s Medicare-eligible population what they need to live their best lives and improve their overall health and well-being. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Florida Blue Medicare is proud to be affiliated with Florida Blue, a health insurer that has served Floridians for 80 years. Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at FloridaBlue.com/Medicare.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blue365® offers access to savings on items that Members may purchase directly from independent vendors, which are different from items that are covered under the policies with your Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield Company (each a “Blue Company”), its contracts with Medicare, or any other applicable federal healthcare program. The products and services described herein are neither offered nor guaranteed under your Blue Company’s contract with the Medicare program. In addition, they are not subject to the Medicare appeals process. Any disputes regarding these products and services may be subject to your Blue Company’s grievance process. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) may receive payments from Blue365 vendors. BCBSA does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guarantee any specific Blue365 vendor or item. Visit blue365deals.com for more information.
HealthyBlue Rewards Program (HealthyBlue) restrictions and limitations may apply.