Group Health is offering two new Medicare Advantage plans in several Washington counties, including Yakima County. 

Consumers may sign up for the plans Nov.15, 2009 through the end of the year. Coverage will start Jan.1, 2010.

The preferred provider organization plans, called Clear Care PPO, allow members to benefit from Group Health’s extensive expertise in caring for seniors without having to switch doctors.

The Clear Care Elite PPO will cost $78 a month in premiums and the Clear Care Prestige PPO is priced at $37 a month.

Pam MacEwan, Group Health’s executive vice president for public affairs and governance, said the organization is able to offer these plans as a result of several converging factors including rising numbers of retirees living in the five counties, and favorable projected cost trends.

“We are very excited about offering affordable Medicare plans to the people of Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Clallam and Jefferson counties,” MacEwan said. “Group Health has served Medicare patients for more than 30 years — longer than any other health plan in Washington. Thirty percent of the state’s Medicare Advantage enrollees receive their care through Group Health — more Medicare patients than any other health plan in the state. Our coordinated approach to care and our focus on prevention make us well-suited for meeting the healthy aging and chronic care needs of seniors.”

While participating PPO doctors will have access to Group Health’s chronic care management expertise and continuing education programs in gerontology and healthy aging, PPO members will benefit from Group Health’s comprehensive preventive care checkups, mail-order pharmacy, 24-hour consulting nurse, supplemental dental plan, and a wealth of information about health and healthy aging offered at MyGroupHealth.org.

Group Health will continue offering Medicare Advantage HMO plans, called Clear Care HMO, in the 13 Western and Eastern Washington counties mainly served by Group Health Medical Centers.

“We look forward to serving our state’s growing number of retirees,” MacEwan said. “We have a long tradition of seniors being actively involved in our governance. We know that the Baby Boomers are savvy about their health and their health care, and we know from experience that we can give them the care that they both need and want, for a very affordable price.”

For more information click on Medicare Advantage Plans on www.ghc.org, or call 800-446-8882, ext. 100.