Seniors in search of a Medicare health plan in Michigan’s Great Southwest now have a new alternative in the form of Health Alliance Plan, or simply HAP, which is expanding into the seven county area with its offer.
Open enrollment began late last week for service starting in January of 2021, when the Michigan-based nonprofit health plan from HAP will continue its westward expansion. The by offer comes in the form of HAP’s Medicare Advantage Senior Plus HMO now available for the first time in Southwest Michigan. Beginning with open enrollment, which began on October 15th, those eligible for Medicare in Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties will be able to access a cost-effective quality health care plan and a new savings plan for individuals with diabetes.
HAP’s Senior Plus HMO offers seniors a $0 monthly premium; $0 copays for vision, dental and hearing care; prescription drug coverage with $0 deductibles and $300 in annual over-the-counter benefits. Of particular interest during the current pandemic, HAP’s plan also includes 24/7 access to doctors online and no-cost gym or fitness center memberships. Senior Plus HMO also extends to Michigan “snowbirds” who visit other states for up to six months each year.
Dr. Michael Genord, MD, HAP President and CEO, says, “I’m proud of the work that the HAP team has done to bring this affordable, quality healthcare option to market for our current and future members in Southwest Michigan,” and adds, “HAP is already a trusted voice and well established resource in Southeast Michigan, and we’re looking forward to filling out the rest of the lower half of Michigan and beyond as we continue to expand across the state.”
Last year, HAP partnered with a group of West Michigan physicians affiliated with Mercy Health to create a Medicare Advantage plan for Kent, Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties similar to the one now offered in Southwest Michigan. In its first year HAP enrolled 1,700 members in that four-county area.
With coverage starting January 1, 2021, HAP Medicare Advantage Senior Plus HMO will continue HAP’s statewide expansion while adding to the competitive options in Southwest Michigan – something that always benefits the customer.
Margaret Anderson, Senior Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, says, “Our market research indicates that seniors in West Michigan are looking for additional options in health insurance,” and notes, “Last year’s successful launch in the four counties prompted this year’s expansion into additional territory. We look forward to bringing our exceptional coverage and customer service to even more Michigan residents.”
HAP’s Medicare Advantage Senior Plus HMO will be one of the only plans in Michigan participating in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Part D Senior Savings Model, which caps the copay cost of insulin at $35. Senior Plus HMO members using insulin could see average out-of-pocket savings of $446.
Dr. Genord says, “Our goal has always been to remove barriers to care for members across Michigan,” and concludes, “Through our ongoing analysis of member spend patterns we learned that a significant portion of members are controlling diabetes through insulin and would benefit greatly from a program that caps insulin copays. Offering these savings to our members through this CMS program was a no-brainer.”
The model is a partnership between CMS and the nation’s three largest insulin makers – Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi – and will include both pen and vial dosage forms for rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting insulins.
For more information on HAP’s product offerings in Michigan you can visit online at: http://www.hap.org.
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is a Michigan-based, nonprofit health plan that provides health coverage to individuals and companies of all sizes. For 60 years, HAP has partnered with leading doctors and hospitals, employers and community organizations to enhance the health and well-being of the lives it touches. HAP is an operating unit of Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation’s leading health care systems.
