Another Opportunity for Carilion Plan

The Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 through March 31, offers many area residents another opportunity to enroll in the new health plan sponsored by Carilion Clinic, according to an announcement by Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan (CCMHP).

Those who have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage or Original Medicare and a Part D plan, and live in the plan’s approved service area, may be eligible to switch their coverage to CCMHP during this period. Area residents who live in the plan’s service area may also join now or when they qualify because they:

• Are turning 65.
• Become eligible for Medicare because of a disability • Involuntarily lose their Medicare coverage.
• Move out of their current plan’s service area and into the CCMHP service area.

Complete information about eligibility to enroll during this period is available by calling the plan at 1-800-779-2285. Coverage begins on the first of the month following enrollment during the OEP.

The plan’s provider network includes seven Carilion Clinic hospitals and more than 700 physicians, including more than 100 non-Carilion community physicians. Members must continue to pay their Medicare Part B premiums. The plan offers three HMO plans, including two Point-of-Service plans that allow beneficiaries to choose providers outside of the network.

Enrollees who choose the HMO plan without the Point-of-Service option must use providers within the plan’s network and should contact the plan to find out if their providers of choice participate in the plan’s network. The plans provide all of the benefits of Original Medicare plus additional benefits, including prescription drug coverage, at a cost that is usually less than Medicare Supplement plans.

The CCMHP Medicare-approved service area includes the cities of Bedford, Lexington, Radford, Roanoke and Salem, and the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Montgomery and Roanoke. Carilion Clinic Medicare Health Plan is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare approved Part D sponsor.