<0> For SCAN Health PlanMichelle Hokr, 818-597-8453, x-5 </0>
announced today that it is expanding its Medicare Advantage plan into Marin County, effective January 1, 2014. SCAN is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans with a presence in San Francisco, Contra Costa, San Joaquin and Santa Clara counties as well as eight additional counties in Southern California and Arizona.
Unlike most Medicare Advantage plans, SCAN has no commercial members, which allows it to dedicate 100 percent of its energy and programs toward serving older adults across the wide spectrum of aging. Its focus is to provide affordable and accessible quality healthcare to seniors and to continue to look for innovative ways to serve Medicare members’ healthcare needs.
“For more than 35 years, SCAN has been committed to providing services that enhance seniors’ ability to manage their health and to continue to control where and how they live,” said Karen Sugano, SCAN’s general manager in Northern California. “As a result, we believe we bring a unique mission and an unmatched perspective to the more than 50,000 Medicare-eligible individuals in Marin County.”
Partnering with SCAN as its contracted providers in Marin County are Meritage Medical Network (formerly the Marin Sonoma IPA) and Marin General Hospital, including its affiliates Prima Medical Foundation and Marin Healthcare District Medical Centers. The 235-bed hospital is home to the county’s only designated trauma center and offers the county’s only full-service cancer care program, comprehensive heart and vascular care program, accredited chest pain center, spine and bone institute, and certified primary stroke center. Meritage Medical Network is a healthcare network of physicians, ancillary services, physical therapy, wellness classes and more. Through Meritage Medical Network, SCAN members in Marin will have access to 50 primary care physicians and approximately 275 specialist physicians.
SCAN will be offering three health plans in Marin County. The SCAN Classic (HMO) plan offers a low monthly premium, $5 co-pays for primary care physician office visits, and $10 co-pays for visits to specialists along with no cost for annual exams, routine eye exams, lab services, X-rays and immunizations. Seniors and others on Medicare can enroll in SCAN Classic during the annual enrollment period of Oct. 15 – Dec. 7.
SCAN also offers eligible individuals in Marin County two “special needs plans” – for individuals with chronic conditions − which have year-round enrollment. SCAN Heart First (HMO SNP) is for people with cardiovascular disease or congestive heart failure, and the SCAN Balance (HMO SNP) plan is for individuals with diabetes. Both offer office visits to primary care doctors or specialists with no co-pays.
In addition to these benefits, SCAN will bring to Marin County seniors the added benefit of the personal service SCAN routinely provides to its members. All SCAN employees undergo the Trading Ages “age-sensitivity program” to better help them understand the process of aging and better identify with members’ needs. Staff members at SCAN’s contracted providers in Marin have also been through the Trading Ages program.
All calls into SCAN during business hours are handled by one of SCAN’s specially trained member services representatives. “This all adds up to the special SCAN touch, which we believe truly helps differentiate us and is one of the reasons members choose to remain with SCAN year after year,” said Sugano.
For 35 years SCAN Health Plan has been focusing exclusively on the unique needs of seniors and others on Medicare. The company currently has nearly 150,000 members in California and Arizona. Further information may be obtained at or on Facebook at . For information, Medicare beneficiaries can call 855-561-7226.
SCAN Classic (HMO), SCAN Balance (HMO SNP) and SCAN Heart First (HMO SNP) are HMO plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan depends on contract renewal. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. Limitations, co-payments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Contact SCAN Health Plan for more information.
Y0057_SCAN_8220_2013F File & Use Accepted 09252013