MEDIA RELEASE

The 2012 Annual Election Period to choose a Medicare health plan ended Dec. 7, but eligible seniors have another opportunity to join a high-quality Medicare Advantage plan.

For the first time ever, the U.S. government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will allow Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in a 5-star Medicare Advantage plan during a Special Enrollment Period from now through Nov. 30, 2012. Seniors must meet certain criteria and live where a 5-star plan is offered.

Earlier this year, CMS announced its 2012 Medicare Star Quality Ratings for the nation’s Medicare plans. Plans are rated on a scale of one to five stars, with five being the highest, based on more than 50 care and service quality measures.

In previous years, seniors were limited to making changes to their Medicare plans during a seven-week enrollment period.

“The Special Enrollment Period provides seniors with a unique opportunity to learn more about their Medicare plan options,” said Sheri Oishi, Kaiser Permananete Hawaii
director of Medicare and Medicaid.

“We are proud that of 400 plans nationally, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii was one of only nine to receive a 5-star rating, and we hope that our local seniors will consider our services,” she said

“While there are many factors for seniors to consider when choosing a Medicare plan, the quality rating of a plan should be weighed heavily,” said Jed Weissberg, MD, senior vice president Hospitals, Quality and Care Delivery Excellence, Kaiser Permanente. “It’s important that seniors become familiar with the Medicare Star Quality Ratings, so they can make informed choices and select a plan that provides the best care and service available.”

Seniors can learn more about the Medicare Star Quality Ratings from Kaiser Permanente by calling 1-855-817-5831 or visiting: www.kp.org/medicarestars

CMS also offers details at the toll-free number 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week and at: www.medicare.gov

Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services each year and may change from one year to the next.