Blue Care Network of Michigan: Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System

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Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System

New to Medicare? Looking to change your current Medicare plan?

Whether you’ve just turned 65 and are choosing a Medicare plan for the first time or you’re currently enrolled in a plan but are exploring other options, we want to help you pick the plan that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Consider BCN Advantage HMO-POS^SM, a Medicare-approved health maintenance organization plan offered by Blue Care Network. BCN Advantage is the Medicare Advantage HMO backed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Why choose BCN Advantage?

We’re proud of the popularity of our plan, and we think you’ll like it too. After all, you’ll get all the benefits of Original Medicare and much more — more coverage, more savings and more peace of mind. And you’ll have the security and recognition of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield on your side.

Our plan is easy to use

You’ll choose a primary care physician from our network of more than 3,370 doctors.* Your PCP will be your health care partner and help coordinate your care. And you’ll have one ID card for all covered services. Just show your BCN Advantage ID card each time you visit your network physician, and you’re assured that your coverage will always be accepted.

Our Customer Service team is dedicated to you

The BCN Advantage Customer Service team is specially trained to serve you. They’re dedicated to BCN Advantage members, and they’re available to answer your Medicare questions.

You’ll like our benefits**

As a Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System BCN Advantage member, you’ll enjoy:

Benefits for routine and follow-up care while on extended stays outside of Michigan — great for snowbirds!
Prescription drug coverage
No deductible
Low-cost coverage that includes hospital and doctor visits
Coverage for preventive tests, immunizations and annual physical exams
Hearing care coverage
Your choice of thousands of contracted doctors and other health care providers
Access to care management programs for certain chronic medical conditions
Special members-only discounts

Need more reasons to join?

Check out the Top 10 Reasons BCN Advantage is the smart choice (PDF) brochure.

Please contact us at 1-866-966-2583 to inquire about other benefits or to receive an enrollment kit containing a Summary of Benefits. Representatives are available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call 1-800-431-7944.

Your retiree status determines the benefit plan available to you. If you have questions about your retiree status, please contact the Office of Retirement Services at 1-800-381-5111 for assistance. TTY users should call the Michigan Relay Service at 711. Representatives are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Are you eligible?

You may enroll in BCN Advantage if:

You are eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
You live in one of the following counties: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne. View service area map (PDF).

Note: If you enroll in BCN Advantage, dependent members on your contract who are not eligible for Medicare must enroll in a Blue Care Network plan. You will need to complete an election form for them.

How to enroll

If you have questions about BCN Advantage or would like to request an enrollment kit, please call:

BCN Advantage

1-866-966-2583
TTY users may call 1-800-431-7944.
Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You may also print and complete the enrollment form (PDF).

Mail your completed enrollment form to:
Office of Retirement Services
P.O. Box 30171
Lansing, MI 48909

Here are some tips to completing the paper enrollment form:

Read through the entire application.
Use blue or black ink.
Print your answers, except where your signature is required.
Choose an emergency contact who is aware of your medical history.
Include your Medicare number from your Medicare card (This may also be referred to as health insurance claim number or HIC number.)
Copy the information from your Medicare card directly onto the picture of the card on the enrollment form when filling out the Medicare section.
If you have any questions when completing the form, please call BCN Advantage Sales and Marketing at 1-866-966-2583 for assistance.

If you have questions about when you can enroll, or need to update your address, please call:

Office of Retirement Services

1-800-381-5111 (TTY 711)
Representatives are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

* Source: BCN Provider Count Report, January 2011.

** Limits and copays apply.

Important information about this plan

BCN Advantage HMO-POS℠
BCN Advantage HMO-POS is available in these counties: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne. Premiums vary by county. You must have both Part A and B and continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

You must use plan providers except in emergency or urgent care situations or for out-of-area renal dialysis or other services. If you obtain routine care from out-of-network providers neither Medicare nor BCN Advantage HMO-POS will be responsible for the costs, and your care may cost more than in-network pricing. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply.

If you are enrolled in BCN Advantage HMO-POS Basic, Option 2 or Option 3, you must use a network pharmacy to access your prescription drug benefit, except under non-routine circumstances when you cannot reasonably use a network pharmacy. Quantity limitations and restrictions may apply. Our pharmacy network includes the majority of chain pharmacies, mail order through Medco or Walgreens, as well as long-term care and home infusion pharmacies. For additional information on network pharmacies, please call Customer Services at 1-800-450-3680, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. TTY users should call 1-800-430-3211. You may also write to: BCN Advantage HMO-POS, P.O. Box 5184, Mail Code A103, Southfield, MI 48086-5184

The benefit information provided herein is a brief summary, not a comprehensive description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1, 2012.

If you decide to have your BCN Advantage HMO-POS premium withheld from your Social Security check or deducted from your checking or savings account, it may take up to three months for the automatic deduction to begin. If your premium amount is currently withheld from your Social Security check or deducted from your checking or savings account and you wish to receive a monthly bill instead, the change may also take up to three months to become effective. During this time, you will be responsible for paying your premium.

Medicare beneficiaries may enroll in BCN Advantage HMO-POS through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at http://www.medicare.gov. For more information, please contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan at 1-877-469-2583, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. TTY users should call 1-800-481-8704. Beneficiaries may only enroll during specific times of the year. You may be able to get Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs. To see if you qualify for extra help, call:

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
The Social Security Office at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users should call, 1-800-325-0778; or
Your State Medicaid Office.

People with limited incomes may qualify for Extra Help to pay for their prescription drug costs. If eligible, Medicare could pay for up to one hundred (100) percent of drug costs including monthly prescription drug premiums, annual deductibles, and co-insurance. Additionally, those who qualify will not be subject to the coverage gap or a late enrollment penalty. Many people are eligible for these savings and don’t even know it. For more information about this Extra Help, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Please call customer service at the number listed above to have any information verbally translated into another language.

A health plan with a Medicare contract.

H5883_BCNAdvantageWebR2 CMS Approved 05242011

page modified 09/23/2011