Cigna-HealthSpring Announces 2019 Medicare Advantage Plans

Cigna-HealthSpring, a leading provider of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, introduced its 2019 plans with more comprehensive benefits and a new nationwide prescription drug plan delivering personalized, affordable and quality health and well-being services. The company continues to offer a connected approach to quality care that improves the health and well-being of customers, while increasing affordability. “Our goal is to help the people we serve live healthier, more secure lives, and we offer personalized, affordable and easy-to-use healthcare solutions to help them every step of the way,” said Brian Evanko, president of Cigna-HealthSpring.

Cigna-HealthSpring is maintaining or reducing premiums in 87 percent of its MA plans compared to last year, and nearly half of its MA plans feature a USD 0 premium. Additionally, 87 percent of plans will have a USD 0 copay for primary care physician office visits. More than 85 percent of Cigna-HealthSpring’s current MA customers are cared for by a healthcare provider in an engaged physician model that employs a team approach and supports the doctor-patient relationship through clinical and customer engagement, holistic care coordination and detailed analytics.

Cigna-HealthSpring MA plan benefits may include:

• Preventive care services including health screenings, dental, hearing and vision
• Dedicated health services team works directly with physicians to help individuals access medication, therapies, education and community resources
• 24/7 Health Information Line (HIL) with nurses available to answer general medical questions and to help individuals determine where to go for care
• Transportation to medical appointments and pharmacies
• Wellness and convenience services, such as a fitness program

For the first time, most customers will now have access to nutritious home-delivered meals at no extra cost for one week following an acute inpatient hospital stay. The meals incorporate individual dietary restrictions, and are delivered frozen with preparation instructions. Meal delivery personnel will also visually check the home environment to assess safety. “We know lack of adequate nutrition can be challenging to someone trying to regain their strength following hospitalization,” Evanko said. “Through this program, we hope to provide people with a stable environment in which to recover so they don’t have to return to the hospital.”

Cigna-HealthSpring now offers Medicare Advantage plans in 16 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and the District of Columbia. In Florida, Cigna is expanding to the Orlando area, where it will offer two Medicare Advantage plans: a traditional HMO and an HMO geared toward people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. These plans will be offered in Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole counties. Cigna also offers Medicare Supplement plans in 48 states.

The company also will offer standalone prescription drug plans (PDPs) in all states, including a new plan called Secure-Essential with low monthly premiums of USD 22 or less, low copays and no deductible for many generic drugs. Through this plan, customers can save money by using Cigna-HealthSpring’s preferred pharmacy network, which includes more than 32,000 pharmacies nationwide. Cigna-HealthSpring will continue to offer the Secure and Secure-Extra PDP plans as well. Customers in the Secure-Extra and Secure-Essential plans can save money this year by utilizing mail order for their prescription drug needs. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. Health benefit plans purchased during AEP are effective Jan. 1, 2019. – Medical Buyer Bureau