TULSA, Oklahoma — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSOK) announced it will again offer plans in 2023 with $0 premiums for Medicare beneficiaries in its Medicare Advantage service area that now includes nearly 30 new counties across the state.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period starts Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7. During this time, anyone on Medicare can enroll in plans or make changes, with coverage starting on Jan. 1, 2023.
BCBSOK offers HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans and is increasing access to new coverage options for more than 589,000 Medicare-eligible individuals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
The new counties are:
Alfalfa, Blaine, Bryan, Caddo, Cherokee, Cotton, Dewey, Garvin, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Hughes, Jackson, Jefferson, Kay, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Major, Marshall, McIntosh, Muskogee, Noble, Okfuskee, Osage, Pawnee, Seminole, Stephens, Tillman and Wagoner
“Providing seniors with the most benefits at the lowest possible cost is a top priority for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma,” said Stephania Grober, president of BCBSOK. “This is our largest-ever service area and product expansion, and we have options available for Medicare-eligible Oklahomans. All our plans come with the peace of mind you get from knowing your coverage is backed by a company that has been protecting Oklahomans for more than 82 years.”
BCBSOK’s Medicare Advantage plans will continue offering low or $0 monthly premiums, no-cost gym memberships and competitive benefits for inpatient hospital stays, routine care and Part D prescription drugs. Many Medicare Advantage plans also provide benefits beyond traditional Medicare, including dental and vision. New highlights for 2023 include:
- Reduced monthly premiums for veterans: Veterans who have a Medicare Advantage PPO plan will see their Part B premiums reduced.
- New Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP): A new plan option is available for individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid that makes care more accessible and more affordable.
- Increased dental allowance: Several new Medicare Advantage PPO plans will see an increased allowance of up to $5,000 for preventive and comprehensive dental services.
To support the Medicare Advantage expansion, BCBSOK is adding nearly 7,000 providers to its network to help individuals access specialized care when and where they want and need it.
For information, visit bcbsok.com/medicare.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
For 82 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 is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
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). 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.