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BCBSA Launches Web Tool Linking Consumers With Local Linking Consumers

WASHINGTON – December 22, 2005) - The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA ) today launched a new Web tool linking consumers with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans offering Medicare products in their local communities. The Medicare Blue PlanFinder will simply and efficiently help consumers navigate the complex maze of Medicare offerings. The tool can be accessed by going to bcbs.com and clicking on “The Blues and Medicare.”

Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans are taking a leadership role in bringing to seniors the enhanced benefits of the modernized Medicare program. In 2006, 29 Blue Plans will sponsor Medicare Advantage products and 24 Blue Plans will sponsor Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

“The Medicare Blue PlanFinder is another example of how the Blues are working to provide consumers with the information they need to make the most informed healthcare decisions possible,” said Scott P. Serota, BCBSA’s president and CEO. “The Medicare Blue PlanFinder complements the already extensive efforts on the part of Blue Plans to educate beneficiaries in their communities about the comprehensive Medicare benefits now available to them.”

The PlanFinder tool will allow consumers to enter state and county information and learn which Blue Plan Medicare options are available in their area, linking them to the appropriate site for information about benefits. The tool will be located on a Web page devoted to news and information about the Medicare program. In the addition to the PlanFinder, the page will feature useful information about Medicare including:
A brochure aimed at the children, grandchildren and caregivers of Medicare-eligible seniors with advice on how to talk to parents about Medicare drug plans;
An RSS feed streaming news coverage focused on Medicare;
Relevant and recent research about Medicare Advantage and the current policy issues that may affect the program;
Links to timely information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is made up of 39 independent, locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 93 million - nearly one-in-three – Americans.

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