Priority Health Medicare news

New plan, new counties added for 2011

Priority Health will offer its Medicare Advantage plans in 38 counties in 2011, up from 31 counties in 2010.

Priority Health Medicare Advantage plans will now be available in Charlevoix, Clare, Lake, Macomb, Mason, Otsego and Wayne counties, as well as the 31 counties covered in 2010: Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Cass, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Hillsdale, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Leelanau, Livingston, Manistee, Mecosta, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, Roscommon, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wexford.

"What sets our plans apart is the level of value we bring to the table," said Kimberly K. Horn, president and CEO of Priority Health. "As we've expanded our Medicare service area and product offerings, we have worked to provide affordable options for our members without sacrificing service. That is why we have earned a 5-star quality rating from the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) three years in a row. CMS is the federal government agency that oversees the Medicare program nationally."

Priority Health's Medicare Advantage plans vary in price based on where individuals live and what benefits they are looking for. Those individuals eligible for Medicare may choose from three Medicare Advantage plans or a prescription-drug plan Priority Health offers, including:

• PriorityMedicare Value^SM offers the lowest monthly premiums for those individuals who don’t use their medical benefits very often.
• PriorityMedicare^SM offers a slightly higher premium than PriorityMedicare Value with lower copays and out-of-pocket costs.
• PriorityMedicare Select^SM, a new plan for 2011, offers manageable premiums combined with the flexibility to see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare.
• PriorityMedicare Rx^SM is a stand-alone prescription drug plan. It's available to Medicare-eligible individuals throughout the state of Michigan.

Priority Health began offering Medicare Advantage and prescription-drug plans in 2005. It currently provides Medicare coverage to more than 48,000 people. The company has maintained its 5-star (excellent) quality rating from CMS three years in a row.

Medicare is available to individuals age 65 and older as well as to some people with disabilities. Medicare recipients may enroll between November 15 and December 31, 2010. Learn more about Priority Health's Medicare plans, premiums by county and participating health care providers on this website, or call Priority Health toll-free at 888 389-6676, or drop by a Priority Health Medicare Information Center in Holland, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo or, opening November 1, Traverse City.

About Priority Health
Priority Health is an award-winning health plan nationally recognized for creating innovative solutions that impact health care costs while maximizing customer experience. It offers a broad portfolio of products for employer groups, individuals and Medicare and Medicaid. As a nonprofit company, Priority Health serves more than 600,000 people and continues to be rated as one of America's Best Health Plans by U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Visit priorityhealth.com to learn more.