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UPMC Health Plan Enhances Medicare Plans for 2007

PITTSBURGH (October 13, 2006) ­– UPMC Health Plan is lowering its monthly premiums and enhancing benefits for its Medicare HMO plans for 2007.

In addition to continuing to offer its popular “zero premium” plan – known as UPMC for Life HMO – UPMC Health Plan has introduced a new, lower priced HMO plan with pharmacy coverage, UPMC for Life HMO Rx. This plan has a monthly premium of $23.60 and no deductible for prescription drug coverage. This product’s pricing is 67% lower than UPMC Health Plan’s 2006 HMO with pharmacy coverage offering. 

The UPMC for Life HMO Rx Enhanced plan has lower copays and expanded pharmacy coverage, including no deductible for Part D prescription drug coverage and unlimited generic drug coverage to help members make it through the pharmacy coverage gap known as “the donut hole.”  It has a monthly premium of $72.50. 

“We are pleased to be serving the Medicare eligible population by enhancing our plans in order to give people an affordable option in their Medicare coverage,” said Diane P. Holder, president of UPMC Health Plan.
 
Persons who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B or who are approaching Medicare eligibility can enroll for UPMC Health Plan’s 2007 Medicare products beginning Nov. 15, 2006. Coverage becomes effective January 1.

 UPMC for Life HMO offerings include:

UPMC for Life HMO Plan: This plan features a $0 monthly premium and no referrals and works well for persons who have VA pharmacy coverage. It does not include Medicare prescription drug coverage.

UPMC for Life HMO Rx Plan: This new plan provides coverage beyond what is covered through Original Medicare and has no deductible for Part D prescription drug coverage. Monthly premium: $23.60.  Medicare beneficiaries with PACE pharmacy coverage can enroll in this plan for a $0 monthly premium as the State will pay the monthly premium on the member’s behalf. PACENET members will pay the monthly premium but will not have to pay the monthly deductible at the pharmacy.

UPMC for Life HMO Rx Enhanced: This plan provides all the coverage of the Rx plan, lower copays, plus unlimited generic drug coverage to help through the “donut hole.” Monthly premium: $72.50.

UPMC for Life also offers a PPO Rx Enhanced plan that has a monthly premium of $116.50, (a $4.50 reduction per month from 2006), prescription drug plan, and a private fee-for-service plan.
           
Persons who are approaching Medicare eligibility should understand that they do not need to wait until they become 65 to begin acquiring information. They should also be aware that they can enroll in a Medicare plan three months prior to their 65th birthday.
           
Moreover, they may enroll in Medicare when they reach age 65 even if they do not retire at that time.

UPMC for Life offers all HMO and PPO members a Health Care Concierge Program, which delivers personalized, quality service for members. This program takes a proactive approach to member services. Rather than waiting for members to call for help if they experience a problem, the concierge program uses outbound calls in an attempt to help members avoid problems before they occur.

As part of their coverage, UPMC for Life HMO and PPO members also receive Silver&FitTM, a program designed especially for Medicare-eligible members. In addition to free fitness club membership, Silver & Fit offers members a home-based fitness and health education program.  

UPMC for Life HMO members also are covered by Assist America, the nation’s largest provider of emergency travel assistance services. For members who travel domestically or internationally, Assist America provides access to medical services 365 days a year.

UPMC Health Plan is planning a series of informational seminars in Western Pennsylvania this fall. Anyone who would like to have a schedule of these seminars or wishes to attend one can call 1-877-381-3765.
  
For information about the UPMC for Life plan that best suits your needs, call the UPMC for Life Medicare Sales Department at 1-877-381-3765 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hearing-impaired may call the TTY number – 1-800-361-2629 – during those same hours.

In addition, to help give you an overview of Medicare, UPMC Health Plan’s website (www.upmchealthplan.com) provides links to information about coverage plans and overall information about Medicare. Just click on “Plan Options.” We also provide a link to the Social Security Administration’s website, where you will be directed to a booklet called Medicare. This booklet can help you answer questions about Medicare qualifications, when and how to register, exactly what Medicare covers, and other special enrollment situations.

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