ALBANY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) announced today new wellness services that will be offered in many of the companys 2020 Medicare Advantage plans. As part of its commitment to helping consumers improve their health and well-being, Empire is giving its members the option of 10 wellness services to choose from, including nutritional support, a fitness device and member engagement programs, service animal support, and pest control. Empire recognizes that these types of social and support services can be drivers of good health, are important to Medicare-eligible consumers, and can be key factors when individuals make enrollment choices in this years Medicare annual election period.

The Essential Extras package, which contains the 10 service choices, will be offered to consumers enrolled in select counties in the following 2020 Medicare Advantage plans: Empire MediBlue Select (HMO), Empire MediBlue Dual Advantage Select (HMO D-SNP), and Empire MediBlue Extra (HMO).

When we looked at the underlying medical, behavioral, and environmental obstacles our members face, we designed a menu of wellness services that aim to help members lead healthier lives, said Tomas Orozco, President of Empires Medicare division. Our 2020 benefits will help remove hurdles to healthier living for our Medicare Advantage members from nutrition counseling and fitness tracking to pest control and service dog support by offering the health plans social and support benefits.

Members who are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plans that have the Essential Extras package will be able to select one of the 10 services listed below, at no extra cost. Members should consult their Evidence of Coverage document for specific benefit details as benefits may vary by plan.

Individuals who are interested in joining one of these health plans can enroll during this years Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP). The AEP begins October 15, 2019, and continues through December 7, 2019 and gives consumers enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B the opportunity to sign up for Empires 2020 Medicare Advantage plans.

For more details about these health plan benefits and Empires Medicare plans, consumers can call (855) 878-1107, which is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 1 to Sept. 30; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, Oct. 1 to March 31. Individuals can also visit the companys online store at https://shop.empireblue.com/medicare.

Empire BlueCross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Empire BlueCross is an HMO DSNP plan with a Medicare contract and a coordination of benefits agreement with the New York State Department of Health. We do not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in our health programs and activities. 1-888-230-7338TTY711 ATENCIN: Si habla espaol, tiene a su disposicin servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingstica. Llame al 1-888-230-7338 (TTY: 711). This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare.

About Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield

Empire BlueCross (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc. and Empire BlueCross HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at http://www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/EmpireBCBS and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EmpireBlueCrossBlueShield.

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Empire BlueCross and Empire BlueCross BlueShield Expand Benefits in 2020 Medicare Advantage Plans to Address Whole-Person Health - Business Wire