FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 11, 2007

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO CONTRACTS WITH APPLECARE MEDICAL TO SERVE DOWNEY SENIORS WITH MEDICARE PLAN

DOWNEY – Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO, a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Program approved by Medicare officials to serve Medicare beneficiaries, has signed an exclusive agreement with AppleCare Medical Group and Downey Regional Medical Center to serve Downey and its surrounding area residents.

“Our niche is our ability to serve the ethnic communities with improved Medicare benefits, many of which are provided at zero cost to the members,” said Elizabeth S. Tejada, General Manager of the plan. “All of our Member Services’ staff and Outreach Specialists speak fluent Spanish and understand the cultural dynamics of the communities we serve.”
With this year’s announcement about the increased costs of Medicare premiums, Medicare Advantage Plans, such as Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO, can be a good option for those looking to enjoy more benefits.

“Medicare Advantage Plans, such as Citizens Choice Healthplan, offer our patients maximum benefits such as free transportation to and from their health care provider, a monthly Part B premium reduction of $15, $0 plan premium and $0 office co-payments. The quality of service and value of this plan is a true benefit for our Medicare community, as many are living on fixed incomes,” said Surendra Jain, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of AppleCare Medical Group. “We are proud to partner with Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO and Downey Regional Medical Center for the betterment of the overall health of our area.”

AppleCare Medical Group is an independent physician association of approximately 650 physicians who practice in Downey (formerly known as Downey Select IPA) and the surrounding areas.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO ranked in the top three value-based Medicare Advantage Plans surveyed in Los Angeles County. Its zero co-payment benefit and zero premium includes no cost doctor and specialist visits, no cost inpatient hospital care, vision and routine hearing testing. Also included are multi vitamins and ensure products as well as 24 round trip transportation services for health related visits. The plan’s drug benefit requires a $3 co-payment for generic, $15 co-payment for preferred brand and a $20 co-payment for brand name medications.

About Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO
Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO delivers high quality care and service to its Medicare Advantage members. Based in Los Angeles, Citizens Choice Healthplan works with diverse communities to promote well health care for its members. It offers its network providers a variety of contracts that enable them to better serve their Medicare and Medicare/Medi-Cal (Medi-Medi) population in Los Angeles and northern Orange Counties.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO is a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan that contracts with the Federal Government to provide services to all beneficiaries eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO can be reached at (323) 728-7232 or 1-866-634-CCHP (2247).