New Medicare Supplement Plans Available June 1
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) takes effect June 1, 2010.
MIPPA addresses three key issues:
- Improving Medicare benefits for low-income people.
- Improving race- and ethnic-based equity among Medicare users.
- Curb the growing cost of Medicare Advantage plans.
In order to address these three key issues, MIPPA requires changes to all insurance companies' Medicare Supplement plans sold on or after June 1, 2010. There will be no changes in benefits for any plan with an effective date before June 1, 2010.
Medicare Supplement changes applicable to all insurance companies:
- Medicare Supplement will cover the 5% hospice inpatient respite care coinsurance and up to a $5.00 copayment for each prescription drug or other similar product for pain management or symptom control to qualified hospice beneficiaries. Note: Plans K and L already include this hospice benefit.
- At-Home Recovery coverage will no longer be included for Plans D and G.
- Plans E, H, I, J and High Deductible J will no longer be available for sale.
- Two new budget-friendly plans, M and N, will be available that require insured cost-sharing in exchange for lower premiums.
BCBSIL Medicare Supplement changes:
- There will be no rate increase to your BCBSIL plan as a result of the MIPPA act.
- BCBSIL will offer Plans G and N. To learn more about these plans, call 1-800-646-3000, get an online quote, or contact your authorized independent BCBSIL insurance agent.
- BCBSIL will no longer sell Plan D or E. If you currently have Plan D or E, you may keep that plan and there will be no changes to your current benefits.
Plan change requests:
The new hospice benefit will be available with all plans sold as of June 1. However, you do not need to change your plan right away. Remember with BCBSIL your acceptance is always guaranteed, so you can switch to the hospice version of your plan or switch to a new plan at any time.
- If you want to change to the MIPPA version of your current plan now and your current plan is A, B, C, F (Standard or Medicare Select) or F High Deductible, you have two options:
Complete the online plan change request form. (Fastest, most secure method).
- If you want to change to the MIPPA version of your current plan now and your current plan is D or E Standard or Medicare Select, you must apply for a new plan.
Get a quote and apply online now.
Call 1-800-646-3000 to speak to an individual sales representative. - If you currently have Plan K or L, no action is required. You already have the hospice benefit.
.
