Highmark's 2024 plans make Medicare more affordable, easier to use - Pennsylvania

• Introducing a brand-new plan, Premier, with $0 PCP, specialist, physical therapy, and generic drugs, plus 1^st dollar dental coverage — for the consumer who wants to minimize their out-of-pocket expenses for care.
  
• Making dental care more accessible and more affordable for Medicare Advantage members by offering $0 preventive dental plus first dollar comprehensive dental coverage and up to $3,500 in allowances
• Increased food/utility allowances for D-SNP members on our Diamond plan, and introducing a food/utility allowance on our Ruby plan
• Added value for current Highmark members with lower copays and expanded supplemental benefits, including increased over-the-counter allowances on many plans
• Lowering premiums for the 6^th year in a row for many Security Blue and Freedom Blue members.
• Locally based Medicare Advisors to guide shoppers through plan selection and enrollment

PITTSBURGH (October. 1, 2023) — Highmark has debuted their 2024 Medicare Advantage plan designs with options to meet the wide range of needs of Medicare consumers. Highmark’s 2024 Medicare Advantage offerings include a complete portfolio of MA and Dual Special Needs plans (D-SNP) plans so any Medicare shopper can find the Highmark plan that’s right for them — including plans with $0 premiums, plans that give you money back every month, plans with market-leading medical benefits, plans for those dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, and even a plan designed for veterans. In addition, our new Premier plan is designed for those who want the lowest out-of-pocket costs for medical, prescription, and dental care.

Highmark Wholecare also offers tailored HMO D-SNP plans for those Medicare beneficiaries eligible for full or partial Medicaid. Plans are created to ensure $0 premium, $0 or low-cost copays for medical care, and $0 copays for prescription drugs. A wide array of supplemental benefits complement our Diamond and Ruby plans to help members live their healthiest lives.

“Each year, we consider consumers’ needs as we design our Medicare portfolio,” said Ellen Galardy, president, Federal Business. “Highmark offers plans that make Medicare coverage more affordable, more accessible and easier to use.”   

Enhanced Benefits for 2024

Highmark Medicare Advantage plans provide market leading medical benefits with multiple plans available that include $0 copays for PCP visits, labs, and generic prescription drugs. As Medicare consumers place a higher priority on dental benefits, Highmark has prioritized making dental care more affordable and more accessible across their footprint. “Shoppers will notice that our dental coverage has reduced members’ out-of-pocket costs for both preventive and comprehensive services,” said Galardy. “And, we have also increased the number of dental services and procedures that we cover.”

New in Pennsylvania in 2024, Highmark will be offering the Premier plan. Bill Tuthill, vice president of Market Strategy, explained, “The Premier plan is an ideal Medicare Advantage option for those deciding between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. In addition to $0 PCP, specialist, lab, therapy, and generic prescription copays, Premier provides supplemental benefits that Medicare Supplement plans don’t provide such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage and allowances for health-related over-the-counter items.”

Highmark Wholecare’sDiamond and Ruby plans are built to support all elements of our members’ health.  “We look to support our members’ whole health by supplementing our strong medical and prescription drug benefits with supplemental benefits like a food and utility allowance,” said Ellen Duffield, president of Highmark Wholecare.

Key benefits on the Diamond and Ruby DSNP plans include:

• $0 premium, $0 PCP, $0 prescription drugs (all tiers)
• A large network of providers to help you care for all your needs
• A Highmark Wholecare branded Visa card with a monthly allowance to use toward healthy food and utilities
• Access to over 2,000 food retailers in PA alone, plus an additional 48,000 out of state when visiting family and loved ones
• Extra meals when discharged from the hospital
• No cost fitness benefit to help keep you at your best
• Transportation to and from your appointments

Enhanced D-SNP benefits for 2024 also include additional dental services and lowered expenses with generous allowances of up to $8,000. Additionally, Ruby members will see a reduction in medical expenses such as lower cost X-ray, routine chiropractic, and supervised exercise therapy copayments. Additional plan benefits include up to $600 toward purchase of glasses or contacts, no cost lenses, hearing aids at no cost, and a generous over-the-counter allowance for select health related items.

Helping members understand and use their benefits

Galardy said that Highmark designs its Medicare Advantage plans  to make it easy for members to use their benefits and stay healthy. “We know that members who use their benefits — such as wellness programs, health coaches, regular doctors’ visits and preventive care — have better health outcomes and fewer medical complications,” she said. “We want to support our members so they can be and stay healthy.”

Highmark offers an array of resources to help members understand and use their benefits, including Highmark Direct stores, which are located throughout Pennsylvania and provide consumers with the opportunity to speak with a Licensed Medicare adviser to compare Medicare options, answer questions about Medicare and enroll in a plan that fits their needs and budget. The Highmark Direct stores also host Medicare seminars for consumers to learn about Medicare or healthy living. To find a store or schedule a personal meeting with a Highmark Medicare expert, click here.

For questions about Medicare or Highmark’s 2024 Medicare plans or to enroll in coverage for 2024, consumers can call a Licensed Medicare adviser at 1-800-318-1487. 

To learn more about Highmark’s 2024 Medicare plans or enroll in coverage online, consumers can click here and enter their zip code. 

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and/or Part D plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal.

Benefits and/or benefit administration may be provided by or through the following entities which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association:

• Western and Northeastern Pennsylvania: Highmark Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Health Insurance Company, or Highmark Senior Health Company. The health insurance policy may not cover all your health care expenses.
• Delaware: Highmark BCBSD Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield or Highmark Health Insurance Company.
• West Virginia:  Highmark West Virginia Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Highmark Health Insurance Company or Highmark Senior Solutions Company.
• Western New York: Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Inc. d/b/a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.

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 and/or to one or more of its affiliated Blue companies.