A Safe Bet for Medicare Beneficiaries in the...( NORTH CHARLESTON S.C. Jan. 29 /- ...),Health

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadian Health Plan, Inc., a leading provider of Medicare Advantage health plans for Medicare beneficiaries, has enhanced its benefits for 2008 and is expanding within the state of South Carolina. This comes on the heels of successful rollouts in North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Maine.

Highlights of the South Carolina plans include $0 premiums, free annual physicals and flu shots, dental benefits, and an ever-expanding provider and hospital network.

"We've been met with enthusiasm from the Medicare population," said Dr. John Austin, chairman of Arcadian Health Plan, Inc. "Medicare is in the midst of historic changes, and Arcadian Health Plan is dedicated to helping people understand their options. We think our growth is due in large part to this education."

Dr. Austin went on to say that Arcadian Health Plan is entering the greater Spartanburg area of South Carolina. Arcadian Health Plan operates locally throughout South Carolina as Southeast Community Care.

"Arcadian Health Plan's goal has always been to choose mid-size to smaller markets to enter so that we're able to interact with members and health care providers on a personal level," said Garrison Rios, Chief Marketing Officer for Arcadian Health Plan. "We believe our growth is attributable to this commitment, and we look forward to taking this commitment into South Carolina."

When Congress modernized Medicare laws in 2003, the private sector was given a greater role in administering Medicare services. In addition to regular Medicare, beneficiaries can now choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. These follow a managed-care model that uses a network of local doctors and hospitals that enrollees can choose. This model can reduce health care costs while ensuring excellent care and access to specialists.

Enrollees in Arcadian Health Plan's South Carolina markets can choose from two plans with no premiums,
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