Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, announced the company is increasing its footprint in the Medicare Advantage market to serve more than 90 new counties, increasing access to new coverage options for more than 1.1 million additional Medicare-eligible individuals. The expansion is the company’s largest service area and product expansion in its history, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
HCSC’s Medicare Advantage plans allow Medicare eligible individuals greater flexibility and choice in coverage, offering enhanced benefits and greater value. Premiums can vary by geography, including some $0 premium health management organization (HMO) and preferred-provider organization (PPO) plan offerings. Medicare Advantage plans may also provide additional benefits beyond traditional Medicare, including (or the option to purchase) dental, vision, and hearing coverage at a variety of price points in a simple and easy to understand plan design.
Through this expansion, HCSC is focusing beyond major metropolitan areas to provide needed access and choice to the rising population of those aging into Medicare– projected to increase to nearly 80 million people nationwide over the next decade, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). To accommodate the expansion, HCSC significantly increased its broad network, adding 19,000 primary care professionals and 2,800 hospitals and other medical facilities across its five states.
HCSC is in the process of seeking all necessary regulatory approvals in its targeted states for 2022. The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period (AEP) starts October 15, 2021 and ends December 7, 2021.
Health Care Service Corporation is the country’s largest consumer-owned health insurer, with nearly 17 million members in its health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
This was reported by Health Care Service Corporation on August 10, 2021.
Contact information: Jori Fine, Health Care Service Corporation, 300 East Randolph Street Chicago, Illinois 60601; 312-653-4256; Email: Jori_B_Fine@hcsc.net; Website: https://www.hcsc.com/
