About Care Improvement Plus

In 2003, perhaps the most significant legislative change in the history of Medicare was signed into law–the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). The MMA introduced several important changes to Medicare, including Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug health plans that allow seniors to select from a variety of health plan options that best fit their needs. Among the new Medicare options are Special Needs Plans (SNPs). SNPs are Medicare Advantage plans that provide better coverage and preventive care for three specific groups of Medicare beneficiaries: those with chronic illnesses, those residing in nursing homes, and low-income individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Care Improvement Plus, a Medicare Advantage plan offered by XLHealth Corporation, is committed to delivering quality healthcare benefits and serving the underserved. Care Improvement Plus seeks to serve as a model of how care coordination can improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare spending while supporting the costliest Medicare beneficiaries.

Care Improvement Plus offers a choice of plan options, including:

• Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans for Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes and heart failure
• Dual Advantage (Regional PPO) Plan for Medicare beneficiaries with both Medicare and full Medicaid
• Medicare Advantage (Regional PPO) Plan for those beneficiaries without special needs, such as spouses and caregivers of Special Needs Plan members

All Care Improvement Plus plans provide comprehensive Medicare coverage and a Part D prescription drug benefit, plus additional services such as dental, vision, transportation coverage, and care management support.

Care Improvement Plus was established in 2006 as a Chronic Condition SNP offered to residents of select counties in Maryland. While the company remains focused on serving beneficiaries with chronic conditions, its rapid success led it to expand its service area and create additional SNP and MAPD plan offerings. Today, there are over six million Medicare beneficiaries across the states of Maryland, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas eligible to become Care Improvement Plus members.

Improving Medicare Coverage

Care Improvement Plus is transforming the way Medicare beneficiaries experience healthcare. Members receive more benefits and services than Original Medicare and many traditional Medicare Advantage plans. All of Care Improvement Plus' plans are designed to empower members to take an active role in managing their health.

Focusing on the Chronically Ill

Medicare beneficiaries living with complex chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart failure have special health care needs beyond medication and regularly scheduled doctor appointments. For these beneficiaries, Care Improvement Plus takes a care management approach that focuses on identifying and treating complications such as blindness, neuropathy, and high cholesterol before they become serious and lead to hospitalization.

Serving the Underserved

For Medicare beneficiaries with both Medicare and Medicaid, it can be confusing to understand what is covered by Medicare and Medicaid. As a result, these beneficiaries may not be getting all the benefits, care, and services they are entitled to. Care Improvement Plus offers support services to help dual-eligible beneficiaries access more benefits, coordinating their care and ensuring that they obtain necessary services. In addition, Care Improvement Plus plans include an open-access provider network with no referral requirements.

More Services for Less

Medicare beneficiaries, especially those with chronic conditions and/or on limited incomes, often see a number of different doctors, take many different medications and require additional medical supplies for their daily care. For these beneficiaries, out–of–pocket healthcare costs can quickly add up. Care Improvement Plus offers low–cost coverage designed to help members better afford their healthcare. $0 monthly premium and $0 cost sharing plan options encourage members to get the care they need before complications develop.

This page was last updated on: 11/13/2009 3:34:30 PM