Independent Health is the largest Medicare Advantage plan in Western New York.* It’s a distinction that we’re very proud of and hope to maintain for years to come. To do so, we know it’s important that we continue to provide a variety of affordable and quality plan options you can choose from. Therefore, we have made some exciting plan and benefit enhancements** for 2011.

• Introducing $0 copay for select generic prescription drugs

Our Medicare drug formulary will now include a $0 tier for select generic drugs that are used to treat conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, reflux, glaucoma and osteoporosis, among others.

• New $0 monthly premium plan

In addition to Independent Health’s Encompass 65® Basic HMO plan, we are adding a second $0 premium plan to our product portfolio: Independent Health’s Medicare PassportSM Basic PPO. This new plan includes out-of-network benefits*** and no referrals to give our members more flexibility and choice when it comes to accessing care.

• Enhanced vision coverage

We now provide our members with an annual limit that they can use for their vision needs, such as purchasing frames and lenses. For some plans, this will be as much as $150. In addition, routine eye exams are $0 copayment on all plans.

• SilverSneakers® Fitness and Healthy Benefits Programs

As an Independent Health Medicare Advantage plan member, you can take advantage of the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program benefit and enjoy great health and wellness benefits such as a fitness club membership—at any participating location throughout the country – and signature classes designed specifically for older adults like YogaStretch, SilverSplash®, and Cardio Fit. All at no cost to you! The Healthy Benefits Program provides our members with another opportunity to enhance their health and well-being. Use your Healthy Benefits card at participating locations toward the following:

• Buffalo Athletic Club (BAC) six-month membership – all Western New York locations

• WeightWatchers® program – including registration and meeting fees (does not include food)

• Wellness classes, including Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi

• Acupuncture and massage therapy

Visit a Medicare Information Center† to get your exclusive RedShirt Benefit Review

During the Medicare open enrollment period (which began on November 15), Independent Health wants to help individuals by answering any questions members and nonmembers alike may have about their Medicare Advantage plan options. Stop by one of our six conveniently-located centers and get an exclusive one-on-one RedShirt Benefit Review. One of our Independent Health RedShirts will meet with you and review all your Medicare Advantage plan options to find the plan that is right for you. Our Medicare Information Centers are open to the entire community from October 1 through December 31.

“Independent Health wants to make sure that Western New Yorkers are once again well-informed when it comes to their Medicare coverage,” said Linda Rehrauer, Director of Government Sales and Service. “By stopping by our unique informational centers, individuals will be able to sit down with one of our friendly and knowledgeable RedShirts and receive help in determining what type of Medicare plan best meets their needs in 2011.”

Independent Health’s Medicare Information Centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the following locations:

Cheektowaga/Depew
Valu Plaza
(Across the street from Wegmans)
620 Dick Road

Niagara Falls
Wegmans Plaza
1595 Military Road

Tonawanda
Youngmann Plaza
(B.J.’s Wholesale Plaza)
746 Young Street

Jamestown/Lakewood
Independent Health
66 Chautauqua Avenue

Orchard Park
Tops Plaza
(Near Tim Horton’s)
3223 Southwestern Boulevard

Williamsville
Independent Health
250 Essjay Road

For the convenience of the public, all six centers are handicap-accessible and feature individual areas for one-on-one consultation. Each center hosts informational seminars† every Thursday at 2 p.m. (except for our Williamsville location). In addition, there are other seminars scheduled in your neighborhood.

We’re here to listen

If you have any questions about Independent Health’s Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Information Centers, our RedShirts can be reached at (716) 635-4900 or 1 (800) 958-4405, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (November 15 – March 1). TDD user call: 1-888-357-9167.

A Medicare Organization with a Medicare contract.
*Per CMS WNY enrollment data 8/10.
**Effective January 1, 2011. Benefits vary by plan. The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1, 2012.
***Members may pay a higher cost share for services provided by an out-of-network provider.
†A sales representative will be present to assist with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings, please call (716) 635-4900 or 1 (800) 958-4405, Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (November 15 – March 1). TDD users call 1-888-357-9167.

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