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Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Increases Access to Whole-Health Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia announced today expanded access to health and wellness services offered through many of its 2022 Medicare Advantage plans. Members will be able to choose from a package of up to nine benefits, which may include benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing flex card; healthy food; and in-home support. These services aim to address drivers of health, such as food insecurity, home safety, and social isolation.

“These enhanced and new benefits are part of Anthem’s approach of addressing whole health and its many drivers of health, helping our members be more proactive in their health,” said Raul Smith, President of Anthem’s Medicare North/East Region. “We are committed to giving Medicare-eligible individuals access to innovative products and services that make it easier for them to improve their health and wellbeing.

The Essential Extras package will give members the ability to choose, at no extra cost, one benefit available through the package to help meet their unique healthcare needs. The package may include the services listed below. Members should consult their Evidence of Coverage document to understand how many benefits they will be able to choose as well as benefit availability and details – as benefits may vary by plan.

  • Flex Card (New in 2022): Members will be given up to $500 each plan year to purchase dental, vision, and hearing services and items – on top of what may be covered in their health plan. This gives them the ability to choose how to spend their annual allowance.

  • Healthy Groceries Card (New in 2022): Each month, up to $50 is loaded on the Healthy Groceries Card. Members will be able to use the card to purchase healthy groceries at participating stores, reducing their monthly out-of-pocket costs.

  • In-Home Support (New in 2022): Up to 60 hours of a friendly, at-home technician who can assist with light housekeeping, errands, tech support, as well as companionship – making daily tasks easier and easing loneliness.

  • Assistive Devices: Up to a $500 allowance for safety devices such as ADA toilet seats, shower stools, hand-held shower heads, and reaching devices.

  • Health & Fitness Tracker: The member is provided a fitness tracker device as well as membership in programs to promote improved physical and mind fitness.

  • Healthy Meals: 180 meals (2 meals per day for 90 days) delivered to the member’s home, based on qualifying clinical criteria.

  • Personal Home Helper: Eligible members receive up to 124 hours of an in-home personal care aide for assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, & bathing.

  • Pest Control: Quarterly preventive treatments to regulate or eliminate the intrusion of household pests that may impact a chronic condition.

  • Transportation: Up to 60 one-way trips per year to health-related appointments or to obtain a service covered by the health plan.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield will offer its 2022 Medicare Advantage plans in 76 counties across Georgia.