FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Health plan gains approval for ‘07

DOWNEY - Home visit after a hospital discharge, routine podiatry care and free transportation as well as inpatient hospital (worldwide coverage) are some of the 2007 benefits of Citizens Choice Healthplan, a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan that will expand its service area to include all of Los Angeles County and Northern Orange County commencing January 1, 2007.

The plan contracts with hundreds of Downey physicians as well as Downey Regional Medical Center.

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO’s 2007 benefits have been approved by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Open enrollment for the Medicare Advantage Plan begins November 15 through December 31 for a January 1, 2007 effective date.

Plan enrollees will have access to more than 1750 physicians and specialists through its current network of 24 medical groups and 31 area hospitals, including Downey Regional Medical Center and St. Francis Medical Center..

Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO’s benefits for 2007 include benefits during the Medicare Part D coverage gap for both formulary brand and generic prescription drugs (no donut hole).

Additional plan features include $0 monthly plan premium, $0 deductible, $0 inpatient hospital copay, $0 copay for outpatient services, $0 doctor office visits, $0 copay for specialists and $0 copay for transportation to and from medical appointments. The healthplan also offers $3 copay for generic medications, $15 copay for preferred brand name medications and $20 copay for non-preferred brand name prescriptions. There is no deductible, donut hole or premium for Part D medications.

“One special benefit for members is the $15 reduction to their Part B premium, which will provide them with a $180 annual rebate,” said Paul Kahen, CEO of Citizens Choice Healthplan.

Kahen said that Citizens Choice Healthplan HMO also offers members a $350 hearing aid allowance, $100 contact lens allowance, skilled nursing facility care (without prior hospital stay requirement), and a $150 vision frame and lens allowance.

“Another key benefit is our Choice Check Up Program, which is a personal home visit to each member following a hospital discharge,” he said. “This is an important program because many elderly patients need help when they return home from the hospital.”

For more information, please call 1 (866) 646-2247.