Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Extends $0 Insulin Benefit to Medicare Advantage (PPO) Complete Plan Members for 2021

(Eagan, Minnesota) October 21, 2020 — As part of an array of plan options designed to help Seniors better manage their health care costs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) has announced $0 insulin benefit and $0 drug deductible on all drug tiers for Medicare Advantage (PPO) Complete members in 2021.

“The price of prescription drugs is a burden for many of our Medicare members, especially those with more than one chronic condition,” said John Warren, vice president of Medicare for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Our 2021 portfolio offers broad network access with 96 percent of providers in network and plan benefit options for every Minnesotan to manage health care costs, inclusive of premium, care and drug costs with reasonable maximum out-of-pocket limits. Our Complete plan offers very stable price predictability from month-to-month with rich plan benefits and both are important considerations for our members with diabetes and multiple chronic conditions.”

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO plans (MAPD PPO) have a 4.5-Star Rating out of five Stars from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and include several notable benefit enhancements for 2021, including:

• $0 co-pay for primary care provider visits (all MAPD PPO plans)
• $0 co-pay for preferred generic medications (all MAPD PPO plans during the deductible, initial coverage and coverage gap phases)
• $0 co-pay for Part D insulins (Complete plan during the deductible, initial coverage and coverage gap phases)
• Eliminated or reduced Part D deductibles 
  • Complete: $0 on all Tiers
  • Choice: $0 for Tiers 1-2 and $300 Tiers 3-5
  • Core: $0 Tier 1 and $445 Tiers 2-5
• Doubled allowance for over-the-counter medicines, $50/per quarter for all MAPD PPO plans

All Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO) plans cover additional supplies and services for members with diabetes (both insulin and non-insulin users) including $0 co-pay for test strips and meters (All MAPD PPO plans; in-network and limited to Ascensia brand.)

Blue Cross was the first health plan in Minnesota to announce a $0 insulin benefit for fully insured commercial members, including Individual and Family plan members, in 2019. This benefit went into effect on January 1, 2020 and continues to provide financial relief to thousands of members struggling with the rising cost of this life-saving medication. 

More information about Blue Cross’ Medicare plans can be found at Bluecrossmn.com/medicare.

Blue Cross offers PPO, Cost and PDP plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in these Blue Cross plans depends on contract renewal. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

Ascensia Diabetes Care US, Inc. is an independent company providing diabetic supplies.