ALBUQUERQUE — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) plans its largest-ever service area and product expansion in 2023, increasing health care coverage options for as many as 421,000 Medicare-eligible individuals to an additional 17 counties in New Mexico.
This expansion allows BCBSNM to offer Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans to people in 29 counties, which is an increase from 12 counties last year. Offering plans in these new counties will allow greater choice and flexibility for Medicare beneficiaries.
“We are pleased to expand coverage for Medicare-eligible individuals throughout our state,” said Janice Torrez, BCBSNM president. “With this expansion, we are building on our commitment to increase access to quality, cost-effective, equitable health care in our communities, especially rural and underserved areas.”
The expansion is not just geographic. For 2023, BCBSNM is offering new products and services to best serve the specific needs and lifestyles of the growing Medicare population in New Mexico. Many BCBSNM MAPD plans provide additional benefits beyond traditional Medicare, including dental, vision and prescription drug coverage at a variety of price points, including options with $0 monthly premiums.
Under the new 2023 Open Access PPO plan serving the new expansion counties, BCBSNM members can see any provider who accepts Medicare, including primary care physicians and specialists, without a copay. Members will also enjoy a high level of cost certainty through the Flex PPO plan, with $0 copays, coinsurance and no out-of-pocket maximum.
New for 2023:
- MAPD plan with Part B Premium Reduction benefit for cost-conscious Medicare consumers
- HMO plan with $5,000 dental allowance
- PPO plan with $5,000 dental allowance
- PPO plan with $1,000 pre-loaded Flexible Spend card to use toward covered dental, vision and hearing benefits
- Both Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans will include a Flexible Spend card. The Flexible Spend card will add additional allowance, in the form of a prefunded Mastercard, that members can use to help supplement out-of-pocket costs on their nonmedical-covered dental, vision and hearing benefits.
To support the MAPD county expansion, BCBSNM is adding 2,695 new providers for a total of 27,000 to its network to help members have access to specialized care when and where they want and need it.
The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period starts Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, 2022. For information, visit medicare.gov.
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About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico is one of the largest commercial health insurers in New Mexico with more than 680,000 New Mexicans carrying a Blue Cross and Blue Shield card. Since 1940, BCBSNM has been committed to promoting the health and wellness of its members and communities through accessible, cost-effective, quality health care. BCBSNM is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
HMO, PPO, HMO Special Needs Plans, and PPO Special Needs Plans provided by Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC). PPO plan provided by HCSC Insurance Services Company (HISC). HCSC and HISC are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a contract with the New Mexico Medicaid program. HISC is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in these plans depends on contract renewal.