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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Now Offers More Choices to Florida's Seniors

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) has introduced a new statewide Medicare Advantage Regional PPO plan called BlueMedicare Regional PPO, as part of its portfolio of Medicare product offerings for Florida's Medicare eligibles. The BlueMedicare Regional PPO product is being offered along with their HMO, PPO, Private Fee-for-Service, Part D and Medicare Supplement plans.

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BCBSF continues to expand the number of health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries to increase access to affordable choices that fit a variety of needs. Medicare beneficiaries will have more options when selecting their healthcare and pharmacy coverage, whether they're looking for a plan that allows the freedom to choose their own doctors, a prescription drug plan that provides coverage through the gap or a plan with predictable costs.

The new BlueMedicare Regional PPO is available statewide and provides medical and prescription drug coverage for a $45 monthly plan premium. Benefits include the freedom to choose your own doctors and hospitals with no referrals required. The plan also provides coverage for health care services both in- and out-of-network. The plan includes predictable copays for most in-network services and financial protection with maximum out-of-pocket limits for in- and out-of-network services.

BlueMedicare PFFS and the BlueMedicare Rx Part D prescription drug plans are also available statewide. The BlueMedicare PPO will continue to be available in Alachua, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Escambia, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Okaloosa, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties. The BlueMedicare HMO will continue to be available in Broward, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.

BCBSF's BlueMedicare Private Fee-for-Service product allows PFFS members to use any provider - not only in Florida, but nationwide - who accepts Medicare and agrees to accept the terms and conditions of the BlueMedicare PFFS plan. No referrals are needed and pharmacy coverage is included. Members will have a $4 copay for covered generic drugs and a mail order benefit of a 90-day supply for an amount equal to two monthly copays.

BlueMedicare PPO is for people who want the freedom to go out-of-network if they choose and still have coverage. BlueMedicare PPO provides comprehensive benefits, predictable copayments and includes coverage for prescription drugs for no additional premium. Pharmacy coverage includes a $4 copay for covered generic drugs and a mail order benefit of a 90-day supply for an amount equal to two monthly copays.

BlueMedicare HMO members pay a low or no monthly plan premium and coverage includes no deductibles and fixed copayments. These low cost plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional charge. Pharmacy coverage includes a mail order benefit of a 90-day supply for an amount equal to two monthly copays.

The BlueMedicare Rx (PDP) Part D prescription drug plans are offered statewide and provide comprehensive prescription drug benefits for both generic and brand name drugs at thousands of pharmacies nationwide. There are three plan options available and in 2010 all BlueMedicare Rx plans will have a $4 copay for covered generic drugs. Mail-order benefits include a 90-day supply of prescription drugs for an amount equal to two monthly copays.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida

Celebrating 65 years as Florida's leader in the health industry, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida is mission-driven to improve affordable access to health care. BCBSF is a not-for-profit, policyholder-owned, tax-paying mutual company. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., BCBSF is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information concerning BCBSF, please see its new Web site designed just for Medicare beneficiaries at www.BlueMedicareFL.com.

SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida