Health Insurance Providers Actions Concerning Medicare Advantage

Aetna Medicare Advantage plans for 2024 will continue to offer a SilverSneakers fitness memberships to all individual MA members at no additional cost. Additionally, members will have an enhanced and expanded fitness reimbursement that can be used on a variety of activities, including pickleball, golf, bowling, swimming and entrance fees for national and state parks.

Aetna, a CVS Health company, is offering Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans in 46 states plus Washington, D.C. Aetna added 255 new counties across the country, providing 2.2 million more Medicare-eligible beneficiaries access to an Aetna plan. In total, Aetna will offer MAPD plans in 2,269 counties in 2024, accessible by 58 million Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.

Alignment Healthcare announced an agreement with Instacart to offer co-branded MA plans in 2024, making nutritious food more accessible to seniors with chronic illnesses in 13 counties across California and Nevada. Members with a qualifying chronic condition who enroll in one of these plans will have access to a $50 to $100 quarterly grocery allowances through Instacart, as well as a complimentary Instacart+ membership with free delivery on all orders over $35, among other benefits.

Alignment Healthcare, Inc. and Walgreens are offering new $0-premium co-branded Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in select markets throughout Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas in 2024, reaching approximately 1.6 million Medicare-eligible adults. Members who enroll in one of the co-branded plans will be able to use their over-the-counter benefits at Walgreens or online through a mail-order provider.

Arkansas Blue Medicare has partnered with Walmart to offer the Walmart Wellness Benefits Card for over-the-counter products to HMO and PPO members. Members get $50–$150 each calendar quarter to spend on over-the-counter health-related items.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are expanding crisis services to the Medicare population for those in behavioral crises to receive prompt and appropriate health treatment. Through partnerships with community organizations to manage urgent crisis needs, Blue Cross covers crisis services across the lower peninsula of Michigan with providers who serve patients face-to-face or virtually. In 2024 and beyond, Blue Cross aims to expand services statewide including expanding to Michigan’s upper peninsula.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is enhancing its 2024 Medicare Advantage coverage in Texas, expanding its service area to reach 6.3 million Medicare-eligible Texans in 225 of 254 counties. The plan enhancements provide access to nearly 30,000 primary care providers, 148,000 specialists and 4,600 hospitals and care facilities. They also include access to one of Texas' largest dental networks, with more than 85,100 providers.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) has expanded network access for Medicare Advantage plans to 12 additional counties in 2024. With the new expansion, BCBSOK now serves 85% of Oklahoma’s 77 counties for Medicare Advantage products offered. In addition, Amazon Pharmacy has been added as a preferred mail-order pharmacy for all Medicare Advantage plans.

Cigna Healthcare's Medicare Advantage plans offer access to the Cigna Healthy Today℠ card, which bundles benefits and incentives onto a single card for use at more than 62,000 participating retailers nationwide. Depending on the plan, the card includes wellness incentives, a reward for volunteerism, dollars for over-the-counter health-related items, and an allowance for fitness supplies, utilities, and groceries.

For the fifth consecutive year, Cigna Healthcare has expanded its Medicare Advantage service area, increasing its footprint to 603 counties across 29 states and the District of Columbia. New to its service area this year are 25 counties, which includes a first-time entry into Nevada serving the Las Vegas metro area in Clark and Nye counties.

Candoo Tech and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield are partnering together to bring a digital literacy pilot to CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage DualPrime members in the Baltimore area. CareFirst’s eligible members will have access to a U.S.-based tech concierge to receive help with everything from learning how to use a smartphone, tablet or computer, setting up and learning how to use email and Zoom, installing a new app, and learning how to use the CareFirst website and research medical issues.

Elevance Health's affiliated health plans offer simplified and flexible Medicare Advantage plans with customizable supplemental benefits to respond to the preferences of members in the company’s service area, which includes 22 states and Puerto Rico. Enhanced supplemental benefits, known as Essential Extras, provide members with the flexibility to tailor their plan to their specific needs – members choose how they spend their allowance. With Essential Extras, consumers have a choice among dental, vision and hearing, transportation to medical appointments, assistive devices, utilities such as gas and electric bills, and groceries. A single pre-paid card will enable members to pay for these benefits. Members can access these benefits in a way that is most convenient for them – in-store, online, or by app or phone.

Healthfirst offers a portfolio of Medicare Advantage plans that in 2024 will include money-saving benefits such as dental services as low as $0—including dentures, crowns, root canals, and extractions—with no annual benefit maximum, a yearly eyewear allowance of up to $350, and an OTC Plus card of at least $525/qtr. for over-the-counter items, healthy foods, most home utilities, and more.

Medicare Advantage offerings from HealthPartners include a prepaid Choice Card with money to spend on non-Medicare covered chiropractic services, prescription eyewear, hearing aids and home-delivered meals. Monthly premiums and primary care co-pays also start at $0.

CINQCARE, a company with a deep commitment to Black and Brown communities has teamed up with Humana to serve Medicare Advantage members throughout New York. CINQCARE, through its "Care at Home" model, will offer robust care management to qualifying Humana members, including around-the-clock telephonic nurse support and remote monitoring, and at-home services including visits from nurses and physicians.

Humana has expanded its Medicare Advantage footprint in New Jersey to Middlesex County, meaning it now covers 100% of the state.

Humana and Denver Health have broadened access to care for Humana Medicare Advantage plan members in the Denver area. Under the agreement, members with Humana Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS plans have in-network access to care at the Denver Health main campus, as well as access to care to more than 1,500 doctors in 131 medical specialties across the Denver area.

Independence Blue Cross offers Medicare Advantage members access to the Age Fearless and Camp Independence programs, which are focused on healthy aging and holistic health. Some of the topics covered include healthy cooking, exercising and self-care, and how to develop positive relationships. There are also classes like basket weaving, bonsai trimming, and art offered.

Medica is expanding from 8 to 55 the number of counties (nearly a 600% increase) where its Medicare Advantage plans are available throughout Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The expansion will provide 53% of Medicare-eligible residents in those states with more options for affordable health care coverage effective January 1, 2024. The plans, known as Medica Advantage℠ and Medica Advantage Solution℠, will now be available in 48 counties in Nebraska (plus 3 border counties in Iowa), 4 counties in North Dakota, and 3 counties in South Dakota.

MVP Health Care and The University of Vermont Health Network announced that their Medicare Advantage Plan, called UVM Health Advantage, will include new benefits in 2024 tailorable to each customer’s health needs. UVM Health Advantage offers patients personalized support, including personal guidance, a well-being rewards program, and chronic pain management.

Providence Medicare Advantage Plans has rolled out a host of new benefits aimed at improving the health and well-being of Medicare eligible adults. 2024 coverage features $3,100 to cover dental-related expenses and reduced pharmacy costs — all in a $0 premium plan. Providence spent its first year in the Southern California market learning more about residents’ specific healthcare needs.

UPMC for Life has announced its UPMC for Life PPO Salute Medicare Advantage plan, which works seamlessly with the U.S. military’s TRICARE FOR LIFE and CHAMPVA coverages. The UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan builds upon existing military retirement benefits to better serve retired military members with $0 in monthly premiums and $75 per month ($900 annually) back in their Social Security check. The plan also supports healthier living with the UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card that provides $600 a year to members to spend on over the counter (OTC) products, medical service costs, dental, vision, and hearing services.

UPMC Health Plan's 2024 UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage plan offers an additional $2,000 dental allowance for most plans, $0 copays for Tier 1 and Tier 2 medications when filled at preferred pharmacies, and full coverage for six home safety products on most plans, double the amount from 2023. Members also have additional support through a dedicated Health Care Concierge team, providing customized services, including medical appointment scheduling, assistance with digital health tool resources, and help to resolve coverage questions and concerns.

SCAN Health Plan is launching SCAN Inspired, the first Medicare Advantage plan designed by women, for women. Members will have access to a Women’s Health Advocate, a dedicated care professional who will ensure they receive personalized care tailored to their needs, as well as $0 estrogen therapy and high-end fitness facilities, boutique studios, on demand and livestreaming fitness developed for women, among other benefits.