For Immediate Release: Contact: Leigh Tofferi
September 27, 2005 (802) 223-6131
BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF VERMONT AWARDED MEDICARE PART D CONTRACT
Berlin, VT Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) will offer a new line of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Programs (PDPs) to Medicare-eligible Vermonters under a contract approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), BCBSVT announced today.
The new prescription drug programs will help improve the affordability of medications and, as a result, increase access to prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries. The programs will be marketed this fall and go into effect on January 1, 2006.
The high cost of prescription drugs is a serious issue for many elderly and disabled Vermonters, and these new PDP programs will offer them significant relief, said William R. Milnes, Jr., BCBSVTs president and chief executive officer.
We have developed a diverse portfolio of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans to meet the needs of Medicare-eligible individuals, and also will continue to advise and assist employer groups looking to help mitigate the growth in prescription drug costs for their retirees.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont will offer three PDP products to customers through a partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut. The partnership is listed as the Central New England PDP in CMS documents. All PDP products will cover both brand name and generic drugs and will be offered with no deductibles. The plans can be purchased independently or coupled with an existing health coverage plan.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont will be sponsoring a number of educational forums throughout the state in October to help inform beneficiaries about their options for drug coverage and BCBSVT offerings. Additional information about these forums can be found at www.BCBSVT.com/vermontblue65
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state's oldest and largest private health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs over 350 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in Williston, and offers group and individual health plans to Vermonters.
information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
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