Ahead of the Medicare open enrollment period, Medicare Advantage insurer Alignment Healthcare is making several updates to its plans for seniors.
The company announced Monday it is expanding its offerings for its $0-premium Preferred Provider Organization plans and special needs plans for dually eligible beneficiaries. It is also providing new benefits. The company is adding 14 counties to its footprint, bringing its reach to 8.3 million Medicare-eligible adults in 52 markets. Already in Arizona, California, Nevada and North Carolina, Alignment is expanding to Florida and Texas.
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“With California, Florida and Texas, Alignment will have a presence in the top three states with the most number of seniors,” Dawn Maroney, markets president and CEO of Alignment Health Plan, wrote in an email. “These three states make up a quarter of the nation’s seniors.”
Maroney said the new offerings are focused on three areas: value, access and flexibility. Alignment is aiming to provide more value by bringing its $0-premium PPO plans to additional markets in Arizona, California and Texas and expanding its dual eligible special needs plans from 24 counties to 32. It is also adding benefits, like financial assistance for gas and utilities for beneficiaries who are dually eligible or who qualify for Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy program.
Alignment is working to improve access to healthcare by expanding two HMO plans that are tailored to Asian and Hispanic populations. The former is Harmony, which is expanding to four counties in California, and the latter is el ÚNICO, which is expanding to four counties in Florida and two counties in Texas.
Lastly, the insurer is focused on flexibility by adding a benefit to its ACCESS On-Demand Concierge “black card,” which acts similar to a debit card for certain grocery and over-the-counter items. The new benefit is called a “Flex” allowance and will allow members of certain plans to buy things like dentures and veneers from in-network and out-of-network providers.
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Other changes the company is making include new benefits like providing a one-month insulin supply at $35 or less and discounted pet medication. Select plans will also have a new $300 to $600 yearly reimbursement for caregivers. Additionally, the company’s 24/7 ACCESS On-Demand Concierge will be available for members to answer health questions, schedule appointments and find transportation.
These new benefits are in response to a recent study the insurer did, which found instability, loneliness and food insecurity are seniors’ top barriers to receiving care.
“We’re championing a new era of aging. Amid rising prices and the growing popularity of Medicare Advantage, value is more important than ever to seniors, so Alignment Health is focused on delivering consistent value for our members,” Maroney said.
Photo: diego_cervo, Getty Images
