U.S. News & World Report Names UPMC for Life One of the "Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage" for 2024

Pittsburgh (Nov. 2, 2023) – As Medicare-eligible consumers are considering their coverage options during the 2024 Annual Enrollment Period, UPMC Health Plan today announced that its UPMC for Life Medicare Advantage (MA) product was named one of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage and Part D Prescription Drug Plans" for Pennsylvania. This will be the third year in a row UPMC for Life has received this distinction.

U.S. News & World Report used the CMS Star Ratings data for its rankings, including CMS's recent five-out-of-five overall Star Ratings of both UPMC for Life's HMO and PPO plans for 2024. UPMC for Life is the only Medicare Advantage plan in Pennsylvania to earn 5 stars for both its HMO and PPO plans.* UPMC for Life is also among only six percent of Medicare Advantage plans nationally to earn these highly competitive, quality-driven ratings. For more information about UPMC for Life's star ratings, visit upmchp.us/star-ratings.

"UPMC for Life is one of U.S. News' 'Best Plans' because of our proven commitment to offering access to the care, high-quality coverage and outstanding customer service for all of our members," said Angela Perri, Chief Medicare Officer, UPMC Health Plan. "As a community-based plan, we understand what our Medicare members need to live their healthiest lives possible. This 'members-first' approach is why we continue to receive national recognition—like this U.S. News honor and the five-out-five Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)—for our Medicare plans."

For an insurance company to be eligible for the list of U.S. News & World Report's Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage, all Medicare Advantage plans offered by the insurance company in that state had to be rated overall with at least three out of five stars by CMS. U.S. News & World Report then averaged the CMS Star Ratings for each of the eligible plans and those companies with an average overall rating of 4.5 or more stars earned recognition as a Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage.

"This recognition comes at an important time, as many with Medicare are evaluating their coverage options for 2024 and may consider quality-related credible organizations like U.S. News and CMS," said Perri, adding that Medicare-eligible individuals can select 2024 MA coverage plans during the Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 Annual Enrollment Period. "We strive to provide not only affordable access to world-renowned health care, but also to offer tools that we know empower members to get the most out of Medicare. Resources like our UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card let members decide where and how to spend their health care dollars, while our strong extra benefits, including increased dental allowances and affordable prescription drug coverage, help to keep members healthy and independent."

UPMC for Life's offerings for 2024 include:

• PPO plans with low-cost coverage, both in- and out-of-network, which allow members to see any provider that accepts Medicare** in the U.S.—a key flexibility for members who travel.
• An additional $2,000 dental allowance for most plans.
• $0 copays for "Tier 1" and "Tier 2" medications when filled at preferred pharmacies. This covers about 500 medications, including many generic medications used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression.
• Generous benefits to help those managing diabetes, with $0 copays for test strips through Lifescan, low insulin copays, and $0 copay for brand-name non-insulin drugs used to manage diabetes on some plans.

Those who are eligible for Medicare and interested in UPMC for Life can enroll by phone or online from the comfort and safety of their homes. For those who want personal help understanding their plan benefits, the UPMC for Life Medicare Advisor team is on hand to answer questions and provide support. Call UPMC for Life toll-free at 1-877-381-3765 (TTY:711) seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Medicare members can also go online to upmchealthplan.com/medicare to shop plans, find information about local community meetings, and see UPMC Health Plan Connect Center locations. For more information about UPMC for Life and its 2024 Medicare Advantage plan offerings, visit upmchealthplan.com/medicare.

*This does not include Special Needs Plans. Each year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. For more information about UPMC for Life's star ratings, visit upmchp.us/star-ratings.

**Out-of-network/Noncontracted providers are under no obligation to treat UPMC for Life members, except in emergency situations. Members should contact our customer service number or see their Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost sharing that applies to out-of-network services.

UPMC for Life has a contract with Medicare to provide HMO, HMO SNP, and PPO plans. The HMO SNP plans have a contract with the PA State Medical Assistance program. Enrollment in UPMC for Life depends on contract renewal.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

UPMC Insurance Services serves nearly 4.5 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. UPMC Insurance Services provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners^®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.