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Medicare’s annual enrollment period begins Oct. 15

TULSA, Okla. — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma is offering Medicare Advantage plans in 58 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties for the coming Medicare annual enrollment period.

The enrollment period begins Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7. This is the time each year when most Medicare beneficiaries can select or switch plans. Selected plans are effective Jan. 1.

MA plans are popular because they offer benefits beyond original Medicare, including routine vision, hearing aids with a copay and some dental coverage. Other benefits available in some plans include:

• Transportation to and from doctor’s offices and pharmacies in dual eligible special needs plans for people who qualify for Medicare and Medicaid.
• Home-delivered meals following hospitalization in the dual eligible program.
• A monthly allowance for healthy groceries for dual eligible members with certain chronic conditions.
• Allowance for over-the-counter health-related products.
• Senior-oriented fitness programs through SilverSneakers^® Fitness Program.

Some BCBSOK MA plans are available for $0 premium. Others give customers money back in their Social Security check. Benefits and premiums vary by plan and geography.

BCBSOK MA plans include a wide network of participating providers throughout the state, including about 3,000 primary care providers, 15,000 specialists and 600 hospitals and other health care facilities.

Additionally, BCBSOK offers Medicare supplement insurance plans, Medicare supplement plus plans and Blue Cross MedicareRx^℠ prescription drug plans statewide. Medicare supplement insurance plans pair with original Medicare, filling coverage gaps. They are generally sold with a prescription drug plans to cover prescriptions. Medicare supplement plus plans may include dental and vision coverage as well as access to the SilverSneakers^® Fitness program.

“We offer Medicare customers a wide variety of choices to fit their every budget, lifestyle and health need, all delivered by a brand that they’ve come to know and trust over their lifetimes,” said BCBSOK President Stephania Grober.

Visit www.bcbsok.com/medicare/shop-plans for information. Call 1-866-288-3539 (TTY 711) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time, seven days a week, for enrollment questions. Additionally, get Medicare questions answered at an educational session. Browse opportunities at BCBSOK events.

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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For 85 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been committed to meeting the health care financing needs of Oklahomans. As the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides health care benefit plans for more than 800,000 Oklahomans. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

"Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or Federal Medicare Program."

HMO and PPO plans provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, which refers to GHS Health Maintenance Organization, Inc. d/b/a BlueLincs HMO (BlueLincs) (HMO plan) and refers to GHS Insurance Company (GHSIC) (HMO Special Needs Plan and PPO plans). PPO plans and HMO and PPO employer/union group plans provided by Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC). HCSC, BlueLincs, and GHSIC are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC, BlueLincs, and GHSIC are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract. GHSIC is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Oklahoma Medicaid program. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal.

Prescription drug plans provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, which refers to Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC), an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in HCSC's plans depends on contract renewal.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

As long as you are an Oklahoma resident, age 65 or older, have Medicare Part A and are within the six months following your enrollment for Medicare Part B, your acceptance is guaranteed. If you are an Oklahoma resident, under age 65, have Medicare Part A and are within the six months following your enrollment for Medicare Part B, your acceptance is guaranteed for Plan A. If you are an Oklahoma resident turning age 65, were previously enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, and apply within six months of turning age 65, your acceptance is guaranteed.

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Media Contact

Jenny Lee
jenny_lee@bcbsok.com
918-724-6082