For years, many retirees were able to obtain their medical plans through their former employers. In recent years, more employer groups are no longer offering retiree medical coverage because of the number of lower cost individual plan options available to retirees.

If you are a retiree in Western New York who will no longer be offered a group Medicare plan through your employer, you have options, including Medicare Advantage plans. Independent Health can help you learn about the great benefits offered through our Medicare Advantage plans and help you find the right plan to fit your individual needs.

What to expect from our Medicare Advantage plans

No matter what Independent Health Medicare Advantage plan you’re considering, all of them come with great benefits*. Our 2013 offerings provide our members a choice of copayment and premium levels like $0 premium plans, plans that offer greater flexibility in seeing doctors anywhere, and a plan for those who don’t need prescription coverage.

Every Medicare plan we offer includes $0 copayment for preventive services such as flu shots, routine annual physicals, colonoscopies and more. They also include an expanded dental network, with preventive dental services as well as vision and eyewear coverage**. For extra piece of mind, our Medicare plans also provide coverage at any emergency room in the world.

All of our Medicare plans also include Healthy Benefits, a fitness benefit that allows you to join one of over 100 participating fitness facilities for 12-months and includes all of the facility amenities – treadmills, fitness classes, free weights – that are included in a basic gym membership.

In addition to these great plan benefits, all our our Medicare Advantage plans come with the RedShirt Treatment. Whatever you need, whether it’s calling to see how you’re feeling after a recent surgery or reviewing whether your medications can cause a dangerous interaction, the RedShirts are there.

A great option for retirees losing their group Medicare

We understand that you may be concerned about the cost of purchasing coverage yourself. However, with Independent Health’s Encompass 65 Essential HMO-POS plan, you can have the coverage you need with a $0 premium.

Our Encompass 65 Essential plan is perfect for retirees looking for a low monthly premium and who do not mind paying higher co-payments. Plus, you still get all of the great benefits like the Healthy Benefits gym membership, vision and dental coverage and our RedShirt treatment.

Medicare star ratings matter

Independent Health is a 4.5 Medicare star rated plan for 2013***. The star ratings are compiled annually by Medicare and are an unbiased way to compare plans based on quality, value and performance. The plans are rated together through information gathered from clinicians, member surveys and other trusted sources.

Stars for each plan show how well the plan performs overall on a set of quality measures, designed to help you objectively choose a plan. Ratings are based on a five star scale, with one star meaning “poor” quality ranging up to five stars for “excellent” quality. Visit www.medicare.gov to find the star ratings of the private insurance companies you’re interested in.

The RedShirts are here to help

More people choose Independent Health for their Medicare Advantage coverage than any other plan in Western New York†. The reason for this is our comprehensive benefits, quality services and our RedShirt Treatment.

We encourage you to visit one of our Medicare Information Centers†† to speak with a RedShirt and learn more about our Medicare Advantage plans. Our centers are open: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Orchard Park
Tops Plaza
(Near Tim Hortons)
3223 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(Open year-round)

Cheektowaga/Depew
Valu Plaza
(Across from Wegmans)
620 Dick Road
Depew, NY 14043
(Open year-round)

Tonawanda
Youngmann Plaza
(BJ’s Wholesale Plaza)
746 Young Street
Tonawanda, NY 14150
(Site closes December 7)

Williamsville
Independent Health
250 Essjay Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
(Open year-round)

Jamestown/Lakewood
Independent Health
66 Chautauqua Avenue
Lakewood, NY 14750
(Open year-round)

If you would like more information about Independent Health’s Medicare Information Centers or Medicare Advantage plans, call (716) 635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405 (TTY users call 1-888-357-9167) Monday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. or visit www.IndependentHealth.com /medicare.

Independent Health is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. *The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. **Benefits vary by plan. ***Plan performance Star Ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. †Per CMS WNY enrollment data 9/12. ††A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings call 716-635-4900 or 1-800-958-4405 (TTY users call 1-888-357-9167).

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