New Medicare Advantage Plans Now Available in Iowa and Illinois

HealthPartners UnityPoint Health plans are affordable, convenient and simple

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – HealthPartners UnityPoint Health is introducing two new Medicare Advantage plans. The plans are called HealthPartners UnityPoint Health Align (PPO) and HealthPartners UnityPoint Health Symmetry (PPO). Both offer consumers a coordinated care and coverage experience. They also include travel coverage, gym memberships and other programs to help members get and stay healthy.

The plans will be available for Medicare’s open enrollment period. That begins Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7. It’s when people eligible for Medicare can review and change their plans. Coverage will start Jan. 1, 2017.

“HealthPartners UnityPoint Health is one of the first companies to offer both health care and benefit coverage in Iowa,” said Troy Caraway, senior vice president of the Insurance Division, UnityPoint Health. “Our Medicare Advantage plans allow consumers to receive the quality care they are used to through one plan – while still seeing the UnityPoint Health doctors they trust.”

Residents of select counties in Iowa and Illinois can buy the plans.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to traditional Medicare. They combine medical benefits and prescription drug coverage into one plan.

Other Medicare plans are often sold separately. This means consumers may need to buy as many as three different plans to cover all of their health care needs.

“We want to make it easier for people to get the care they need,” said Doug Smith, HealthPartners senior vice president of Sales and Account Service. “Medicare Advantage plans are affordable. There are fewer out of pocket costs. And, we make it even easier for people because they can have their health care and medical insurance all in one place.”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, just 17 percent of Iowa residents enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan last year. This is below the national average. In some states, more than 40 percent of eligible residents choose Medicare Advantage plans.

The HealthPartners UnityPoint Health Medicare Advantage plans are convenient and simple. The plans are a good fit for those who:

• Want to have all their health insurance through one plan.
• Want a network that includes UnityPoint Health doctors.
• Prefer to pay a lower monthly premium.
• Want additional benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, like routine vision and hearing exams, worldwide emergency care and a gym membership.

About the plans, Align and Symmetry

Consumers eligible for Medicare can choose from two different plans:

• Align: A zero-premium plan. This plan is ideal for people who don’t need a lot of meds or doctor visits.
• Symmetry: A $39-premium plan. The cost sharing is lower with this plan, meaning you can get the care you need without worrying about the bills. This plan is great for people who visit the doctor more often and need extra prescription coverage during the coverage gap.

Both plans include the UnityPoint Health doctors that consumers already know and trust, as well as other doctors in the network.

How to learn more

Visit healthpartnersunitypointhealth.com to learn about upcoming informational community meetings, compare plan details or enroll online. Or, consult a licensed HealthPartners UnityPoint Health representative by calling 888-360-0796.

Individuals eligible for Medicare in 2017 can enroll anytime during their initial enrollment period.