Highmark announces improved Medicare products to help consumers get ready for 2021

• Highmark’s newest product, Complete Blue PPO, offers in-network access to all local hospitals including AHN, UPMC, and other community providers 
• Reduced premiums for Security Blue HMO-POS & Freedom Blue PPO 
• Improved benefits on our $0 Community Blue Medicare HMO plans including expanded dental coverage
• Waiving copays for COVID related hospital admissions in 2021

PITTSBURGH (October 1, 2020) — Highmark is helping Medicare-eligible consumers get ready for 2021 with a slate of improved products and benefits, plus a new product — Complete Blue PPO — that offers in-network access to all local hospitals, including AHN, UPMC, and other community providers.  

“We always listen to the needs of our customers when improving our products and this year is no different,” said Alexis Miller, Market President of Federal Markets at Highmark. “We conducted a senior health survey in our local communities to assess what is most important to seniors when it comes to health, fitness and Medicare coverage options. The survey provided great feedback as we worked to improve all of our plans to ensure that everyone can find a plan to help them get ready for 2021.”

In addition to improving existing products, Highmark’s new coverage option, Complete Blue PPO, provides access to most doctors and all major hospitals in Western Pennsylvania including AHN, UPMC, and other community providers. Complete Blue PPO also includes many extras such as dental, vision, fitness, and over-the-counter drug coverage. Because the plan is a PPO option it also provides out of network coverage to get care if members need to see a doctors out of state.

Community Blue Medicare HMO Signature remains Highmark’s most popular Medicare Advantage plan, and includes dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits. In addition, members pay:

• $0 monthly premium
• $0 co-pays for primary care visits
• $0 co-pays for tier one preferred generic drugs at preferred pharmacies and mail order
• No deductibles
• No additional cost for enhanced coverage for dental services like root canals and crowns

Miller said tens of thousands of members continue to find value in $0 premium plans. “Members enjoy the peace of mind of knowing they don’t have to pay an additional monthly premium and have low out-of-pocket costs with no deductibles and limited co-pays,” she said.

Highmark is changing the name of its Community Blue Medicare PPO Distinct plan to the new Complete Blue PPO plan. These members will continue to see affordable copays and out-of-pocket costs for the same $35 monthly premium and be able to access even more local doctors and hospitals. Complete Blue PPO Distinct also offers a wide array of supplemental benefits, which includes a $750 comprehensive dental allowance, vision, hearing and fitness benefits and an allowance for Over the Counter items.

Highmark’s Community Blue Medicare and Complete Blue PPO plans include a comprehensive dental benefit, with coverage for root canals and crowns added for 2021, along with a larger, national network. 

Highmark reduced premiums for Freedom Blue PPO and Security Blue HMO-POS for the fourth consecutive year. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been reaching out to senior members to make sure they know we are here to help,” said Miller. “In 2021, we are committed to being here when our seniors need us the most including after a hospital stay. We’ve proactively decided to waive the copay for any MA member who is admitted to the hospital because of COVID. We have also added a new benefit to our Security Blue and Freedom Blue plans that provides up to 2 weeks of meal deliveries after a hospital stay.” 

Additional 2021 Highmark product offerings for Medicare-eligible individuals include:

Highmark offers a wide range of Medigap Blue supplemental products that help fill in the gaps of Original Medicare by providing assistance paying for your share (i.e. deductibles, coinsurance and copayments) of the costs for Medicare-covered services.  Medigap Blue also provides the freedom and flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. Additionally, members of Highmark Medigap Blue plans have exclusive access to the exciting new Whole Health Balance program, which provides extra coverage for routine hearing, vision, dental and fitness services, all of which are not covered by Original Medicare. 

Highmark also offers standalone Blue Rx PDP prescription drug plans.

Detailed descriptions of all Highmark Medicare Advantage plans, including network and pricing are available at Shop.Highmark.com/Medicare.

Health benefits or health benefit administration may be provided by or through Highmark Blue Shield, Highmark Choice Company, Highmark Senior Health Company, Highmark Senior Solutions Company or HM Health Insurance Company d/b/a Highmark Health Insurance Company, all of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. All references to “Highmark” in this document are references to the Highmark company that is providing the member’s health benefits or health benefit administration.