Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans offer comprehensive coverage and benefits to help you stay healthy and financially secure in your golden years.
BCBS Medicare Advantage plans cover a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, and prescription medications.
With BCBS Medicare Advantage, you can also enjoy additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage, which can be a significant cost savings.
Many BCBS Medicare Advantage plans also offer wellness programs and fitness classes to help you stay active and healthy.
Medicare Basics
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).
You're eligible for Medicare if you're 65 or older, or if you're under 65 and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for at least 24 months.
Medicare has four main parts: A, B, C, and D. Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, and some home health care. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment.
You can enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after.
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and may include additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage.
Healthcare Programs
Blue Medicare Advantage plans offer a range of programs and services to ensure high-quality care for members.
You can see specialists without needing a referral, and use providers outside the network if needed.
With over 90% of doctors and every Alabama hospital in the Blue Advantage network, finding an in-network doctor is relatively easy.
Many health screenings, immunizations, and other preventive services are available at no cost to members.
Blue Advantage Plans
Blue Advantage Plans offer comprehensive medical coverage with no referrals required to see specialists. You can use providers outside the network, and with over 90% of doctors and every Alabama hospital in the Blue Advantage network, it’s easy to get the in-network doctor you want.
Many health screenings, immunizations, and other Medicare-recommended preventive services are available at no cost. This includes routine vision and hearing exams, which have a $0 copay. You'll also get significant discounts on hearing aids through TruHearing.
Blue Advantage Plans include a range of benefits, such as:
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage
- Prescription Drug Coverage
- Comprehensive Dental
- Vision Exams & Eyewear
- Hearing Exams & Hearing Aids
- SilverSneakers Fitness Membership
You can choose from $0 premium options, and some plans have a $0 drug deductible. The network includes 100% of Alabama hospitals and over 90% of doctors, making it easy to find a provider. In-network and out-of-network services are covered, and you'll get a $0 copay for most preventive services, immunizations, and lab services.
Medical Management Programs
Medical management programs are in place to ensure high-quality care for members, with Blue Medicare HMO and PPO plans offering a range of services to support this goal.
These programs include medical management services that aim to provide the best possible care for members.
Case management programs are also available, allowing eligible members to work one-on-one with a case manager.
This personalized support can help patients navigate the healthcare system and receive the care they need.
To be eligible for case management, members must meet certain criteria, but specific details are not provided.
Benefits and Coverage
With Blue Advantage, you've got comprehensive medical coverage that makes it easy to get the care you need. You can see specialists without a referral and use providers outside the network if needed.
You'll have access to over 90% of doctors and every Alabama hospital in the network, making it simple to find an in-network doctor. Many health screenings, immunizations, and preventive services are also available at no cost.
The prescription drug coverage is another perk, with over 1,000 network pharmacies in Alabama to help you save money. You can use Rx Savings Solutions to ensure you're paying the least amount for your prescriptions.
Comprehensive Medical Coverage
With Blue Advantage, you've got the freedom to see the doctors you want, whenever you need to. You can choose from over 90% of doctors and every hospital in Alabama, giving you a wide range of options to suit your needs.
You won't need a referral to see a specialist, making it easier to get the care you need.
Many health screenings, immunizations, and preventive services are covered with no out-of-pocket costs, including those recommended by Medicare.
You can also use providers outside the network, giving you even more flexibility in your healthcare choices.
Prescription drug coverage is also included, helping you manage your medications with confidence.
Hearing exams and hearing aids are also covered, providing you with the support you need to stay healthy.
Prescription Drug Coverage
You have access to over 1,000+ network pharmacies in Alabama through Blue Advantage plans, making it convenient to save money on prescriptions.
Blue Advantage plans offer a wide range of pharmacies to choose from, ensuring you can find one that suits your needs.
Clicking on the Rx Savings Solutions link can help you find ways to pay the least amount for your prescriptions.
As a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage provider, you may have received a message from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about prescribing drugs for Medicare patients.
If you've received such a message, it's essential to note that you may need to enroll in or opt-out of Medicare to continue prescribing drugs for Medicare patients.
Effective Jan. 1, 2017, changes were made to claims submissions for Medicare Advantage Plans, which have streamlined claims processing and improved efficiencies.
Dental Coverage
Our Medicare Advantage plans offer a range of dental coverage options to help you stay on top of your oral health.
You can choose from several plans, each with its own dental allowance maximum per calendar year. For most comprehensive and preventive dental services, you're looking at a $1,000 or $1,300 allowance, depending on the plan you select.
If you opt for a preventive-only dental service plan, the allowance is lower, at $375 per calendar year.
The Blue Advantage Complete and Blue Advantage Premier plans offer the higher allowance, making them a great choice if you need more extensive dental work.
Eye Care
Eye care is an essential part of maintaining your overall health. You can get a $0 copay for an annual routine vision exam, which is a great way to stay on top of your eye health.
This benefit can be especially helpful if you have family members who need regular vision exams as well. You can take advantage of the $100 eyewear allowance per calendar year to help cover the cost of new glasses or contacts.
Wellness and Prevention
As a Medicare Advantage provider, Blue Cross has made it easier for you to prioritize your health and well-being. They offer a range of resources to help you stay on top of your wellness.
Their Medicare Advantage Annual Wellness Visit Guide is a valuable tool that includes a visit checklist, information on Medicare coverage, and coding tips. This guide can help you document your visits more efficiently and meet Medicare requirements.
You can also use their Medicare Advantage Annual Wellness Visit Form, which can be filled out digitally or printed and completed by hand. This form is designed to help you stay organized and ensure that you're covering all the necessary topics during your wellness visits.
Blue Cross also offers rewards and incentives for healthy activities, such as completing selected screenings, managing chronic conditions, or seeing a doctor for a physical. These rewards can be a great motivator to stay on track with your health goals.
Here are some of the rewards and incentives you can earn:
- Selected screenings
- Managing chronic conditions
- Seeing a doctor for a physical
In addition to these resources, Blue Cross offers a range of wellness benefits, including $0 premium options, $0 drug deductible (depending on the plan), and $0 copay for an annual routine vision and hearing exam. They also offer significant discounts on hearing aids and eyewear, as well as a FREE fitness allowance FlexCard (depending on the plan selection).
Network and Marketing
To join the Blue Cross Medicare Advantage network, you'll need to fill out the Provider Onboarding Form, which can be found under the Network Participation tab.
As a provider, you'll be expected to abide by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules for marketing when it involves Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) or Blue Cross Medicare Advantage products or benefits.
BCBSOK contracts with physicians, facilities, and other healthcare professionals to ensure their members receive accessible, cost-effective, and quality healthcare services.
Join the Network
To join a network, you need to fill out a specific form, such as the Provider Onboarding Form, which can be found under the Network Participation tab.
BCBSOK contracts with various healthcare professionals to ensure their members receive quality care, including physicians and facilities.
To become a contracting provider with BCBSOK, you need to be part of their Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO networks.
The provider onboarding form is a necessary step to join the network, and it's located in a specific tab on the BCBSOK website.
Medicare Marketing Guidelines
If you're providing Medicare Advantage services through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK), you're expected to follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules for marketing.
All providers who contract with BCBSOK to offer Medicare Advantage services must abide by these rules.
The CMS rules apply to marketing that involves BCBSOK or Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (HMO) or Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO) products or benefits.
This means you'll need to be mindful of your marketing efforts to ensure they comply with these guidelines.
Claims and Denials
As a provider working with Blue Cross Medicare Advantage, it's essential to understand the claims and denials process to avoid any issues. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage wants to help you avoid administrative claim denials.
To prevent denials, a list of common administrative claim denials has been created. These denials can be avoided by following some simple tips. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage has made this information available to help providers like you.
By being aware of these potential denials, you can take steps to prevent them and ensure smoother claims processing.
Hold Harmless Policy
Some Blue Medicare members will not be held financially responsible for covered services under certain conditions. This is known as a Hold Harmless Policy.
This policy is designed to protect members from unexpected medical expenses. Certain conditions may apply to qualify for this protection.
If you're unsure about whether you're eligible for a Hold Harmless Policy, it's best to review your Blue Medicare plan details carefully. This will help you understand what's covered and what's not.
Reducing Claim Denials
Reducing Claim Denials is crucial for healthcare providers. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage has created a list of administrative claim denials that providers may receive.
To avoid denials, it's essential to review the list and take necessary steps. This can save time and reduce the stress of dealing with denied claims.
One common reason for claim denials is lack of documentation. Blue Cross Medicare Advantage wants to help you avoid administrative claim denials by providing tips on how to prevent them.
To prevent denials, make sure to submit complete and accurate claims. This includes ensuring all necessary information is included and that the claim is submitted in a timely manner.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the likelihood of claim denials and get paid faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans?
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, offering a wide range of coverage options to eligible beneficiaries.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
People are leaving Medicare Advantage plans due to low payments to providers and limited in-network options, especially in rural areas. This can lead to fewer healthcare choices and reduced access to care, causing some to seek alternative coverage.
Do all providers accept Medicare Advantage plans?
No, not all providers accept Medicare Advantage plans. Some doctors may stop accepting these plans if they experience difficulties with payment processing.
Sources
- https://www.bluecrossnc.com/providers/networks-programs/blue-medicare
- https://www.bcbsok.com/provider/network/network-participation/bma
- https://www.bcbsnm.com/provider/network/bma.html
- https://ades.bcbsok.com/provider/network/bma.html
- https://www.bcbsalmedicare.com/sales/web/medicare/blueadvantage-overview
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