Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus (D-SNP HMO) A 2022 Suffolk County, New York Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus is a 2022 Medicare Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) for people who live in Suffolk County, New York. This Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO plan is required to provide all of the same benefits as Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage., and includes many additional benefits, but out-of-pocket costsOut-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare are the remaining costs that are not covered by the beneficiary's health insurance plan. These costs can come from the beneficiary's monthly premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. for the member are different.
Key Takeaways
- Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus is a Medicare Advantage SNP plan available to people on Medicare who also qualify for New York state MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. benefits (dual-eligibleDual-eligible beneficiaries are those who receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits. It includes beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B while receiving full Medicaid and/or financial assistance through a Medicare Savings Program....).
- This is a zero-dollar D-SNP cost-sharing plan. Members have no copays when they use Medicare-approved healthcare services.
- To qualify to join this D-SNP, you must live in Suffolk County and be enrolled in Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers limited home healthcare services and hospice care. and Part B, and qualify for full Medicaid benefits.
- It is a HMO style private health plan that includes Medicare Part DMedicare Part D plans are an option Medicare beneficiaries can use to get prescription drug coverage. Part D plans provide cost-sharing on covered medications in four different phases: deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic. Each... prescription drug benefits.
- The annual Part D deductible is $480.00. You pay this amount before cost-sharing begins.
- Plan members that also qualify for Medicare's "Extra Help" program will also get full or partial assistance with their Medicare Part D monthly premium, annual deductible, and prescription copaymentsA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service..
- As required, Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus gives its members the coverage benefits included with Medicare Parts A and B (aka, Original Medicare), but also includes additional benefits.
- If you don't qualify, compare Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, are health plans from private insurance companies that are available to people eligible for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). available in Suffolk County, New York. Another way to get more coverage is with one of the many New York Medigap plans and a stand-alone Part D plan for Arizona residents.
| Plan Basics | |
|---|---|
| Plan ID: | H1732-001-0 |
| Plan Type: | D-SNP |
| Network Type: | HMO |
| Plan Year: | 2022 |
| Premium: | $42.40/mo Plus your Part B premium. |
| Health Plan Deductible: | $0.00 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum: | $7,550 In-networkDoctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers that agree to health plan members' services and supplies at a set price are in-network providers. With some health plans, your care is only covered if you get... |
| Drug Plan Benefit: | Enhanced $480.00 deductible |
| Rx Gap Coverage: | No Gap Coverage |
| Supplemental Benefits: | None |
| Availability: | Suffolk County, New York |
| Insured By: | Empire BlueCross BlueShield |
Health Plan Costs & Benefits
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. HMO plan members usually receive health care services through the plan’s local network of providers. Referrals are almost always required to see a specialist and other providers. However, Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus does allow out-of-network care for emergencies and out-of-area dialysis.
PremiumsA premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must pay for coverage. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly basis. In the federal Medicare program, there are four different types of premiums. , deductiblesA deductible is an amount a beneficiary must pay for their health care expenses before the health insurance policy begins to pay its share., and copays vary widely from plan to plan. It is very important to compare costs and apply them to your personal financial and healthcare needs.
Monthly Premium
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus's total monthly premium in Suffolk County is $42.40. This includes your prescription coverage, as well. Plus, you must continue to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premiumThe Medicare Part B premium is the monthly charge paid by beneficiaries for their outpatient medical care, services, and supplies. A beneficiary's premium may be uplifted by an IRMAA surcharge if their income is above....
Annual Deductible
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus's annual health plan deductible is $0.00. This does not include the deductible for the prescription drug plan (if any), which is detailed below.
Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit
The Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) with this Empire BlueCross BlueShield plan is $7,550 in-network. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans must set an annual Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limit on inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. Once you reach this amount of spending on your copayments, all of your Medicare Part A and Part B services will be covered at no additional charge for the remainder of the year. MOOP does not include monthly premiums, prescriptions, or other extra benefits.
Health Plan Out-of-Pocket Costs
The following table is a summary of the most common out-of-pocket costs you will incur if you join this Empire BlueCross BlueShield plan:
| Healthcare Service | Member Cost |
|---|---|
| Health plan deductible | $0 |
| Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs) | $7,550 In-network |
| Doctor Visits | |
| Primary | $0 copay |
| Wellness programs (e.g., fitness, nursing hotline) | Covered |
| Preventive care | $0 copay |
| Mental Health Services | |
| Outpatient group therapy visit with a psychiatrist | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Outpatient group therapy visit | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Outpatient individual therapy visit | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Inpatient hospital - psychiatric | $0 copay (authorization required) |
| Rehabilitation Services | |
| Occupational therapy visit | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Medical Equipment / Supplies | |
| Prosthetics (e.g., braces, artificial limbs) | $0 copay (authorization required) |
| Durable medical equipmentDurable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that is designed to last and can be used repeatedly. It is suitable for home use and includes wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, and hospital beds. (e.g., wheelchairs, oxygen) | $0 copay (authorization required) |
| Diagnostic Procedures / Lab Services / Imaging | |
| Diagnostic radiology services (e.g., MRI) | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Diagnostic tests and procedures | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Outpatient x-rays | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. Drugs | |
| Chemotherapy | $0 copay (authorization required) |
| Foot Care (podiatry Services) | |
| Routine foot care | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Hearing | |
| Hearing aids - inner ear | Not covered |
| Hearing aids - over the ear | Not covered |
| Hearing aids - outer ear | Not covered |
| Hearing exam | $0 copay (referral required, authorization required) |
| Preventive Dental | |
| Oral exam | Not covered |
| Fluoride treatment | Not covered |
| Cleaning | Not covered |
| Comprehensive Dental | |
| Restorative services | Not covered |
| Diagnostic services | Not covered |
| Extractions | Not covered |
| Endodontics | Not covered |
| Non-routine services | Not covered |
| Periodontics | Not covered |
| Vision | |
| Eyeglass lenses | Not covered |
| Contact lenses | Not covered |
| Eyeglasses (frames and lenses) | Not covered |
| Routine eye exam | Not covered |
| Eyeglass frames | Not covered |
| Other | Not covered |
| Emergency Care / Urgent Care | |
| Emergency | $0 copay |
| Ground ambulance | $0 copay |
| Inpatient hospital coverage | $0 copay |
| Outpatient hospital coverage | $0 copay |
| Skilled Nursing Facility | $0 copay |
| Optional supplemental benefits | No |
Feel free to download our Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus Summary of Benefits information.
Prescription Drug Plan Costs & Benefits
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus includes an enhanced benefit Medicare Part D plan (PDP). Enhanced plans have a higher actuarial value than basic plans. Actuarial value simply refers to the percentage of cost that's covered by the plan.
Enhanced plans generally have higher monthly premiums than basic benefit plans but offer more benefits. For example, many enhanced PDPs do not have an annual deductible, may offer additional coverage during the coverage gap (aka, "donut hole"), and may have a broader list of supported drugs, known as a formularyA formulary is a list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan or another insurance plan offering prescription drug benefits. Medications not on a plan's formulary are generally not covered.. Some enhanced PDPs even cover excluded drugs. It's important to remember that benefits vary from plan to plan.
Prescription Drug Plan Premium
Although the prescription drug plan (Part D) premium is bundled with the total plan cost, some plans have supplemental costs and/or offer low-income subsidySocial Security's Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs by paying some of the costs. Also known as "Extra Help", beneficiaries who qualify for LIS receive premium... (LIS) assistance. The following table outlines the prescription drug plan premium details of this plan.
| Basic Part D Premium: | $42.40 |
| Supplemental Part D Premium: | $0.00 |
| Total Part D Premium: | $42.40 |
| Part D Premium with Full LIS Assistance: | $0.00 |
| Part D Premium with 75% LIS Assistance: | $10.60 |
| Part D Premium with 50% LIS Assistance: | $21.20 |
| Part D Premium with 25% LIS Assistance: | $31.80 |
For more information about the Low-Income Subsidy (aka, "Extra Help") program, refer to the Social Security Extra Help page.
Prescription Drug Plan Deductible
The Medicare Part D annual deductible with this plan is $480.00. This is the amount you must pay at the pharmacy before Empire BlueCross BlueShield begins paying its share.
Prescription Drug Plan Out-of-Pocket Costs
In addition to the plan's monthly premium and deductible, Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus has copayments (a fixed dollar amount) and/or coinsurances (a percentage amount) that you must pay when you pick up your prescriptions. The following table shows you those costs.
| Tier | Preferred | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Preferred Generic) | $0.00 copay | $0.00 copay |
| 2 (Generic) | $6.00 copay | $6.00 copay |
| 3 (Preferred Brand) | $47.00 copay | $47.00 copay |
| 4 (Non-Preferred Drug) | $95.00 copay | $100.00 copay |
| 5 (Specialty Tier) | 25% | 25% |
| 6 (Select Care Drugs) | $0.00 copay | $0.00 copay |
A Brief Review and CMS 5-Star Rating Marks
The table below shows the quality ratings for this Empire BlueCross BlueShield plan. Each year CMS rates Medicare Special Needs Plans in nine broad categories. We do not recommend joining a plan with an overall rating of less than 3.0 (3 stars).
This plan too new to have a star rating from Medicare. But we can give you our take on Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus's value.
| CMS Measure | Star Rating |
|---|---|
| 2022 Overall Rating | |
| Staying Healthy: Screenings, Tests, Vaccines | Plan too new to be measured |
| Managing Chronic (Long Term) Conditions | Plan too new to be measured |
| Member Experience with Health Plan | Plan too new to be measured |
| Complaints and Changes in Plans Performance | Plan too new to be measured |
| Health Plan Customer Service | Plan too new to be measured |
| Drug Plan Customer Service | |
| Complaints and Changes in the Drug Plan | Plan too new to be measured |
| Member Experience with the Drug Plan | Plan too new to be measured |
| Drug Safety and Accuracy of Drug Pricing | Plan too new to be measured |
How to Qualify to Enroll in
Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus
To qualify for enrollment in Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus in Suffolk County, you must be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be age 65 or older, or have Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months. To be eligible for Medicaid, your income and assets must be at or below New York's state thresholds.
Before enrolling in Empire MediBlue HealthPlus Dual Plus, or any other dual-eligible SNP, be sure to ask the following questions:
- What costs should I expect to pay out-of-pocket (premiums, deductibles, copayments)?
- Will I be able to use my doctors? Are they in the plan's network?
- Are the plan's in-network providers and facilities in convenient locations?
- Does the plan provide coverage for services I receive from out-of-network providers?
- Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
- Are my medications on the Part D plan's formulary? What if I can't afford my medications?
- What special accommodations does the plan make for persons with disabilities?
- Does the plan offer free meal delivery after a stay in the hospital?
- What help is offered for caregivers? Is adult day care covered?
- Does the plan offer a prepaid card for over the counter medications and covered groceries?
Contact Empire BlueCross BlueShield
| Plan Website: | http://www.empireblue.com |
|---|---|
| Formulay Information: | https://shop.anthem.com/medicare |
| Pharmacy Information: | Empire BlueCross BlueShield Pharmacy Page |
| Prospective Members: | (855)593-0908 |
| TTY Users: | (711)- |
If you qualify for Medicare but have not yet enrolled or verified your enrollment status, you can do so on the Social Security Administration website. You can learn more about the Medicare Advantage program on www.medicare.gov.
Citations & References
- Empire BlueCross BlueShield, http://www.empireblue.com, Last Accessed October 15, 2021
- Medicaid.gov, "Medicaid & CHIP in New York", Last Accessed June 15, 2022
- CMS.gov, "Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)", Last Accessed May 21, 2022
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed October 26, 2021
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance, Last Accessed October 6, 2021
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package, Last Accessed October 4, 2021
This Medicare Advantage SNP plan information page was last updated on .