UPMC for Life Offers Two $0 Premium Medicare Plans for Veterans & Expands UPMC for Life PPO Salute to Philadelphia Region

Pittsburgh (Oct. 3, 2024) – With Medicare Open Enrollment running from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2024, Medicare-eligible veterans looking at coverage options in 2025 have two Medicare Advantage (MA) options from UPMC for Life.

UPMC for Life PPO Salute (PPO) is a plan that works well for those with TRICARE For Life and CHAMPVA members. UPMC for Life HMO No Rx (HMO) is a plan that is a good fit for someone who already has credible drug coverage from the VA, PACE, or PACENET.

"Many retired veterans rely on traditional Medicare and TRICARE For Life to cover their health care needs, and while these benefits are essential, many veterans find themselves spending large amounts on premiums and services that are not covered. But now veterans have a real choice when it comes to MA plans," said Angela Perri, Chief Medicare Officer for UPMC Health Plan. "Our PPO Salute and HMO No Rx plans don't replace military benefits—they complement your existing benefits by delivering enhanced coverage while putting money back in your pocket."

Since most veterans already have prescription coverage through the Veterans' Administration or other sources, both plans are able to offer a $0 premium by not having to build drug costs into the premium and are able to offer richer supplemental benefits packages.

"If veterans already have robust prescription drug coverage through the military plans, they shouldn't have to pay for that as part of their Medicare coverage," said Perri. "Our plans are about coordinating our coverage to the existing military plans and delivering the best possible coverage and the highest quality care in a way that controls costs for our veterans."

Both plans offer more benefits than with Original Medicare alone, including the UPMC for Life Flex Spend Card, which gives additional dollars to use when needed to pay for medical service costs, such as over-the-counter (OTC) products, home safety products, dental, vision, and hearing services, and additional benefits like free gym memberships, personal counseling, and caregiver support.

Members who enroll in the HMO No Rx will receive a total of $110 per month ($1,320 annually) back in their monthly Social Security checks. The plan offers affordable access to UPMC's high-quality provider network, as well as other community providers across Pennsylvania. The HMO No Rx plan provides a Flex Card benefit of $500 per year, with $250 for medical services, OTC products, fitness, home safety products, and another $250 for dental, vision, and hearing services.

The UPMC for Life PPO Salute plan enhances existing military retirement benefits to better serve retired military members with $0 in monthly premiums and $65 per month ($780 annually) back in their Social Security check. It also provides access to a large network of providers, as members on this PPO plan can choose to use any provider that accepts Medicare in the U.S. The PPO Salute plan provides a Flex Card benefit of $600 per year, with $300 for medical services, over the counter (OTC) products, fitness, home safety products, and another $300 for dental, vision, and hearing services.

As with all other UPMC for Life plans, HMO No Rx and PPO Salute members have the additional support of a dedicated Health Care Concierge team, who provide customized services, medical appointment scheduling, assistance with digital health tool resources, and resolving coverage questions and concerns. Our concierge team also works with the member's providers and TRICARE For Life to ensure efficient claims payment processing.

For the first time, the PPO Salute plan will now be available to veterans in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, but with some differences in Flex Card benefit amounts and premium savings. See Evidence of Coverage for details.

For more information, visit our UPMC for Life Veterans Resources page.

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your 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 D-SNP, and PPO plans. The HMO D-SNP plans have 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., UPMC for You Inc., and UPMC Health Coverage Inc.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division 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.