Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Introduces SmartSense, Price-Conscious Plans Targeted at the Uninsured

LAS VEGAS (Map) - LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Nevadans looking for good news about affordable health care coverage are in luck ... Today, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield introduced SmartSense -- new price-conscious, choice-driven health insurance plan targeted to "early" retirees, the self-employed, independent contractors, students and the uninsured.

"SmartSense represents the best of Anthem's plans," said Mike Murphy, president, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada. "Most individual plans on the market today offer limited choices. SmartSense can be tailored to fit your needs - and has an extremely attractive price point with premiums ranging from as little as $33 to $178 per month for a healthy 25-year old male.

"Anthem's goal is to reduce the percentage of Nevadans who are uninsured," Murphy added. "As we move forward, we'll continue to focus on providing affordable plans that maintain the high quality and value-added benefits consumers have come to expect from us."

SmartSense is designed to provide protection against expensive and unexpected medical bills and offers a variety of deductibles, starting at $500, that allow consumers to find a premium they can afford. Plans offer:

-- Coverage for first three doctor visits with $30 copayment before the deductible (per person per calendar year), then 30 percent coinsurance after deductible

-- Choice of prescription drug benefits (comprehensive Rx or Generic Only Rx)

-- Inpatient, Outpatient, Emergency Room and Professional Services coverage

-- Coverage up to $7,000,000 per member in lifetime benefits.

Members choosing SmartSense have access to more than 6,500 Nevada PPO network doctors and specialists and nearly 80 hospitals. These plans also provide coverage outside the state of Nevada through the Blue Card program. Term life and dental plans are also available at an additional cost.

"I am very excited that Anthem has introduced the SmartSense plans with multiple benefit options with extremely reasonable rates for all Nevadans," said Denise Brown, Broker, Direct Health and Life Insurance of Nevada. "These plans provide such a wonderful opportunity to have quality insurance at a value not seen before in Nevada. With SmartSense plans you receive $7 million in benefits and the ability to select a plan and a choice of deductible that best suit you and your family's needs with a highly respected health care provider."

For more information about SmartSense and other Anthem products, contact your local Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield agent or call 303-831-2219, or visit us at www.ANTHEM.com .

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada:

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. (R) ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Nevada