Medicare beneficiaries have until Dec. 7 to choose one of Blue Cross' affordable Medicare Advantage plansBOSTON, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For 2024, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) has added even more enhanced benefits to its popular PPO and HMO Medicare Advantage plans, adding flexibility that makes it easier for members to choose the benefits that are right for them.Within its suite of plans starting with premiums as low as $0 per month, Blue Cross has a new Flex Card debit card loaded with up to $2,160 in savings for over-the-counter expenses; fitness and weight-loss programs; dental, vision and hearing copays; and rewards for healthy activities like annual wellness visits. It also expanded the types of fitness classes to include pool-only facilities, as well as fitness equipment and virtual classes.Blue Cross also announced the addition of more primary care providers to its Medicare network, offering members convenient and timely access to primary care. New providers include On Belay Health Solutions and VillageMD, which offer in-person and virtual care, as well as Firefly Health and Carbon Health, which offer virtual-first care."We are proud to offer older adults in Massachusetts affordable Medicare options that meet their individual needs from a plan they can trust," said Mary Hsieh, head of government programs at Blue Cross. "As the health plan that insures the most Medicare beneficiaries in Massachusettsi and has deep roots in the community, we offer enhanced and flexible benefits in areas that matter most to older adults, coupled with an unparalleled local service experience."Blue Cross' popular Medicare Advantage plans may include:* New * Flex Card debit card loaded with up to $2,160 in additional savings , including up to $1,000 for over-the-counter expenses ( $250 every quarter); up to $500 for fitness and weight loss programs; up to $600 for dental, vision and hearing expenses; and $60 in rewards for healthy activities like annual wellness visits., including up to for over-the-counter expenses ( every quarter); up to for fitness and weight loss programs; up to for dental, vision and hearing expenses; and in rewards for healthy activities like annual wellness visits

WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Firefly Health – a health plan and virtual-first care innovator – today announced the Honorable Karyn Polito, former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, as the newest member of the Firefly Advisory Council. She joins individuals such as Brian Marcotte, the former president and CEO of the Business Group on Health. The Advisory Council is a group of professionals with a wide variety of knowledge from the worlds of healthcare benefits, brokers/consultants, employers, government, business, and those we serve – all brought together to provide outside guidance to the benefit of Firefly, its users, product, and growth strategy. Polito’s experience managing public health, including leading the Commonwealth through the Covid-19 pandemic and her extensive network throughout the state of Massachusetts bring essential expertise as Firefly expands its benefit offerings and partnerships throughout the Commonwealth.“Karyn Polito has spent over two decades serving the state of Massachusetts, giving voices to underrepresented people and places, focusing on delivering access and opportunity across the state. We are honored to welcome her to the Firefly Advisory Council,” said Firefly Health CEO, Fay Rotenberg. “Her commitment to reform and innovation aligns with our mission to transform healthcare in a way that leads with patient care while utilizing technology to its fullest extent.”Polito served as the 72nd Lt

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprinter Health, an on-demand mobile health and diagnostics company bringing personalized and affordable healthcare services to the home, today announced a partnership with Firefly Health, a health plan and virtual-first care innovator with a mission of delivering half-priced health care that’s twice as good, clinically and emotionally. The partnership aims to improve access to care while saving downstream costs by integrating Sprinter Health’s in-home clinical services into Firefly Health virtual primary care. Access to quality preventive care in the US remains a significant challenge - 124 million adults have gone over a year without visiting a PCP, 34 million people have diabetes and 21% are undiagnosed, and 33 million adults are unaware they have kidney disease1. The typical primary care journey is clearly not working. Patients often wait weeks for an appointment, spend hours of time to get ~12 minutes with a doctor, and then have to navigate complex referral processes for downstream imaging and diagnostic procedures