Affordable Health Care Available to More Fixed-Income Medicare Beneficiaries in Texas: Secure Horizons Gold Expands to Johnson,
November 16 2005 - 12:46PM
PR Newswire (US)
* Plan Offers No Monthly Premiums, No Office-Visit Copayments and
Unlimited Access to Brand-Name and Generic Prescription Drug
Coverage CYPRESS, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. (NYSE:PHS) is expanding its Secure
Horizons Gold health plan for those who qualify for Medicare and
Medicaid (Texas STAR Program) in Johnson, Kaufman, Rockwell and
Ellis counties in Texas. The Secure Horizons Gold plan is designed
to offer Medicare beneficiaries with limited resources a private
health plan and an affordable prescription drug benefit. For
example, the plan design has no office-visit and no hospital
copayments and offers no-cost transportation for doctor's office
visits. In addition, Secure Horizons Gold members automatically
qualify to receive extra assistance to pay for prescription drugs
with no Part D premiums, no coverage gaps and access to unlimited
brand-name and generic prescription drugs with low copayments of $1
and $5. Also, members can receive low-cost dental cleanings and
eyeglasses as well as caregiver support via PacifiCare's A Solution
for Caregivers. Members will also have access, at no additional
charge, to SilverSneakers(R), a unique fitness program designed to
encourage physical and mental well-being. SilverSneakers includes a
free fitness center membership, health education and specialized
classes that focus on improving and increasing strength, endurance
and mobility. Last year, PacifiCare launched its Secure Horizons
Gold plan in Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Comel and Guadalupe counties,
and earlier this year the plan expanded into Kendall and Atascosa
counties, reinforcing PacifiCare's longstanding commitment to
deliver affordable, quality health care coverage to Medicare
beneficiaries in Texas. Qualified Medicare beneficiaries can enroll
now to receive their medical, hospital and prescription drug
coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2006. Secure Horizons can also assist
those who meet the income and asset requirements -- who are not
participating in the STAR program and want to enroll in the Secure
Horizons Gold Plan -- apply for the Medicare Savings Program, which
can save them more than $90 per month on their Medicare Part B
premiums that are deducted each month from their Social Security
checks. Recent CMS data report that 15 percent of Medicare
beneficiaries are already enrolled in state-sponsored Medicaid
programs, such as the Texas Star Program, but that as many as
another 15 percent are qualified but have never applied. Secure
Horizons Gold has a dedicated team available at 888-810-6605 that
can help individuals determine whether they are eligible for these
programs and apply for the Texas Star Program if they qualify.
"Secure Horizons Medicare Advantage plans have provided Texas
seniors affordable health care benefits for years; Secure Horizons
Gold goes a step further to reduce financial barriers to quality
health care for those who qualify," said Kathy Feeny, PacifiCare's
executive vice president of Secure Horizons. "We believe that many
of these seniors will appreciate Secure Horizons Gold because it
offers more comprehensive benefits than original, fee-for-service
Medicare and all of the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan --
and more -- with a lower out-of-pocket cost." About PacifiCare
PacifiCare Health Systems is one of the nation's largest consumer
health organizations with nearly 3.2 million health plan members
and approximately 11.3 million specialty plan members nationwide.
PacifiCare offers individuals, employers and Medicare beneficiaries
a variety of consumer-driven health care and life insurance
products. Today, Secure Horizons offers competitive health care
coverage and additional benefits to more than 740,000 members
nationwide through its Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement
plans and caregiver services. PacifiCare's specialty operations
include behavioral health, dental and vision, and complete pharmacy
benefit management through its wholly owned subsidiary,
Prescription Solutions. More information on PacifiCare Health
Systems is available at http://www.pacificare.com/. DATASOURCE:
PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. CONTACT: Cheryl Randolph of PHS
Media Relations, +1-714-226-3441, Web site:
http://www.pacificare.com/
Copyright
Pacificare Health (NYSE:PHS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Pacificare Health (NYSE:PHS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024