Contact:

Gina Pferdehirt
Director, Public Relations & Community Relations
UPMC Health Plan
412-454-4953
pferdehirtgm@upmc.edu

**UPMC for Life’s 2019 Plans Provide Continued Quality and Value in Western Pa.**

UPMC for Life expands $0 premium, $0 deductible with pharmacy coverage HMO plan to eight additional Western Pa. counties along with new health, fitness, and travel benefits

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 1, 2018) – UPMC for Life, the Medicare Advantage product of UPMC Health Plan, is proud to once again offer high quality plans at premium costs that are among the lowest in Western Pa.

Most UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage plans will continue to have access to a provider network that includes more than 19,800 doctors and 3,594 facilities in Pennsylvania, including full in-network access to all the doctors and hospitals of UPMC. For the 19th time, U.S. News & World Report recognized UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside as one of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals (8-14-18).

In 2019, beneficiaries in the 28 counties of Western Pa. will have seven UPMC for Life plans from which to choose, including five HMO plans and two PPO plans.
UPMC for Life has also expanded its HMO Premier Rx plan, which boasts a $0 premium, a $0 deductible, and Part D prescription drug coverage to eight additional counties. This plan is now available in Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Erie, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Westmoreland Counties, and includes a select network of providers that members can use for their care. Members can use any providers that participate with their plan without a referral.

"UPMC for Life continues to offer outstanding benefits and great value to Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania," said John Lovelace, president of government programs at UPMC Health Plan. "Our member retention rate of 97% exceeds industry standards. We believe our members have peace of mind knowing that they have in-network access to the top-ranked hospitals in the state, including UPMC, as well as award-winning concierge services. And this year we have the most robust benefit offerings in our history."

Enhanced Plan Benefits

UPMC for Life has added and enhanced many of its plan benefits for the upcoming year. All plans include at no additional cost:

The SilverSneakers® fitness program, which provides free unlimited access to participating fitness facilities, one free personal training session per year, support from trained instructors, access to a variety of fitness amenities, the option to work out at home with fitness kits, and online support at www.SilverSneakers.com.
New benefits for one free in-home safety assessment each year and up to three bathroom safety products each year at no additional cost.
Six personal counseling sessions each year with a licensed counselor at no additional cost.
HMO plan members will have full in-network medical coverage when they travel to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Select plans also offer additional benefits, including:

Most UPMC for Life plans include preventive dental coverage for cleanings and oral exams every six months, as well as one bitewing x-ray every year that shows the upper and lower back teeth and how the teeth touch each other. Three plans now include a comprehensive dental allowance for fillings and simple tooth extractions.
Four plans include routine hearing coverage for hearing exams, hearing aid fittings, and a hearing aid allowance.
All UPMC for Life plans include coverage for routine vision exams and a vision allowance for contacts or glasses every two years depending on plan.

Prescription Drug Coverage

UPMC for Life members will continue to have a $0 copay for preferred generic (Tier 1) prescriptions when filled at preferred pharmacies. Preferred pharmacies offer members the lowest copays on generic (Tier 2), preferred brand (Tier 3), and non-preferred (Tier 4) drugs.

Members can cost-effectively fill prescriptions at preferred pharmacy locations, including Costco, Giant Eagle, Giant Food Stores, Kmart, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, Walmart, and Wegmans. Other pharmacies/providers are available in the network.

Starting Jan. 1, 2019, members filling 90-day maintenance prescriptions can also take advantage of the lowest copays available at preferred pharmacies and by using mail-order, which provides an added convenience for members.

Awards and Recognition

All UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage members will also enjoy access to UPMC Health Plan’s award-winning Health Care Concierge program. Concierges are customer service representatives who are knowledgeable about Medicare and are dedicated to answering members’ questions and to getting problems solved with just one phone call.

UPMC Health Plan has earned three 2018 Gold Stevie Awards for its outstanding sales and customer service.

UPMC for Life earned an overall 4 out of 5 rating in NCQA’s Medicare Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2017-2018.

Enrollment Details

The Annual Election Period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2018. Medicare beneficiaries can add or drop Part D prescription drug coverage, change to a Medicare Advantage plan, or change to Original Medicare. Changes in coverage will be effective Jan. 1.

Medicare beneficiaries who are interested in UPMC for Life can get information on the 2019 plans online at www.upmchealthplan.com/medicare or by calling UPMC for Life toll-free at 1-877-381-3765 seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. TTY users should call 711.

Individuals can also visit one of the four local UPMC Health Plan Service and Sales Center retail locations in Western Pa., including Monroeville Mall, Ross Park Mall, South Hills Village Mall, and The Mall at Robinson.

Other pharmacies/providers are available in our network. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call 1-877-381-3765 (TTY: 711) seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for more information.

UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO, HMO SNP, and PPO plans. The HMO SNP plan has a contract with the PA State Medical Assistance program. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal. UPMC for Life is a product of and operated by UPMC Health Plan Inc., UPMC Health Network Inc., UPMC Health Benefits Inc., and UPMC for You Inc.

Tivity Health and SilverSneakers are registered trademarks or trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries.

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About UPMC Insurance Services Division

The UPMC Insurance Services Division is owned by UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), a world-renowned health care provider and insurer based in Pittsburgh, Pa. The UPMC Insurance Services Division—which includes UPMC Health Plan, WorkPartners, UPMC for Life, UPMC for You, UPMC for Kids, and Community Care Behavioral Health—offers a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance and workers' compensation products and services to more than 3.4 million members. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.