A New Health Plan that Delivers

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A New Health Plan that Delivers

Nov 17, 2020

Choosing the right health plan can be tricky at any age. Our reliance on the healthcare system increases as we age—and so, too, does the difficulty in finding a plan that meets our growing needs.

Starting in January 2021, the Los Angeles Jewish Home will introduce the Brandman Health Plan, a new offering designed with aging seniors in mind. "Traditionally, health insurance tends to think of seniors as being between 65 and 80 years-old, but the age of the demographic is really changing. The Brandman Health Plan is based on a more expansive model of care that grows out of our more than 100 years of real-world experience with residents at the Jewish Home, where the average age is over 90," says Stephen Martinez, Ph.D., CEO of the new plan. "Our program is different because it’s been built to reflect the evolving needs presented by the interaction of geriatric care and pre-existing conditions."

The plan is a Medicare Advantage Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan, also known as a C-SNP. To enroll, a senior must be a resident of Los Angeles County and be diagnosed with at least one of four qualifying chronic conditions: diabetes, chronic heart failure, cardiovascular disorders and/or dementia.

"We offer two plans depending on the chronic condition, Aspire and Arise, and each plan has two options based on Medicare and Medi-Cal eligibility. All plans cover Medicare Part A and Part B, as well as Part D—the pharmacy component," Stephen notes. "But what makes us competitive is the range of additional, or supplemental, benefits we’re providing."

The Brandman Health Plan’s supplemental benefits offering was created based on feedback from Jewish Home clinicians and administrative leaders. "We asked our staff for a wish list of what they would like to see a health plan offer," Stephen says. "They shared that people with dementia frequently lick their lips, which can cause their dentures to shift out of alignment. Based on this information, we made sure to include denture alignment in our dental benefits. When discussing hearing benefits, we learned that many people could not afford additional batteries. We made sure to offer a range of hearing aids, from a basic model at no copay to an optional upgrade at an additional cost, with extra batteries included. The bottom line is that the Brandman Health Plan provides comprehensive coverage at a great value."

A partial list of the benefits offered by the Brandman Health Plan includes dental, hearing, vision, transportation for medical appointments, mental health services, in-home safety assessments, and a rich drug formulary that offers prescriptions, such as insulin at a $35 copay for a 30-day supply.

"We are extremely enthusiastic about all of the ways the Brandman Health Plan will help support the seniors who enroll," says Jewish Home CEO-President Dale Surowitz. "Our goal is to uplift and empower them so they can stay healthy and thrive."

Though the plan is open to any Los Angeles County resident who is eligible for Medicare and has one of the four chronic conditions, Stephen thinks it will have particular resonance for residents of the Jewish Home. "I think they’ll be especially pleased with what we’re offering because it speaks directly to their situations," he says.

The Brandman Health Plan will go live on January 1, 2021. Enrollment is now open and will continue year-round. For more information, contact Maria Carreon, the plan’s manager of sales and broker relations, at (818) 457-7608, or visit us online at www.brandmanhealthplan.com.

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