For immediate release: October 19, 2012
Contact: Leigh Tofferi (802) 223-6131

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont Receives Four-Star Rating for Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit Plan

Berlin, VT – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont’s Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, Blue Medicare-Rx, has earned a four-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the company announced today. Blue Medicare-Rx is one of only twenty-six plans nationally to earn a rating of four or five stars.

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is committed to offering outstanding experiences and quality health benefit plans to all Vermonters -- individuals, small and large employers, and those who are Medicare eligible and need supplemental or prescription drug coverage,” noted Don George, BCBSVT President and CEO. “This four-star rating is confirmation that our efforts to offer a high quality Medicare Part D plan have been successful. Vermonters over age 65 who chose Blue can have peace of mind that they are getting a quality plan.”  

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rates Medicare plans on a 1 to 5 star scale, with 1 star representing poor performance and 5 stars representing the highest level of performance. The rating measures five broad categories: outcomes, intermediate outcomes, patient experience, access, and process measures. CMS instituted the ranking system so that people with Medicare can use the star ratings to compare the quality of drug plan options and select the plan that is the best value for their needs during the open enrollment period for 2013.

Blue Medicare Rx is a joint enterprise of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and Blue Plans in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc., Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont are the legal entities which have contracted as a joint enterprise with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are the risk-bearing entities for Blue Medicare-Rx plans. The joint enterprise is a Medicare-approved Part D Sponsor.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is the state’s oldest and largest health insurer, providing coverage for about 180,000 Vermonters. It employs about 340 Vermonters at its headquarters in Berlin and branch office in South Burlington, and offers group and individual health plans. More information about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is available on the Internet at www.bcbsvt.com. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont is an independent corporation operating under a license with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.