Care Improvement Plus Launches 2009 Benefit...( -Special Needs Plan focuses on added...),Health

-Special Needs Plan focuses on added benefits to improve care and quality

of life for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions-

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- In preparation for the upcoming Medicare annual enrollment period which begins November 15th, Care Improvement Plus today announced the launch of its 2009 Special Needs Plan (SNP) offerings for chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries in Texas, including new enhancements to added benefits and care management services to help members better manage their health.

"For 2009, we are continuing to focus on providing specialized benefits that go beyond what many Medicare plans offer, aimed at improving quality of care and controlling healthcare costs," said Frederick C. Dunlap, board chairman and chief executive officer of XLHealth, which owns and operates Care Improvement Plus. "Beneficiaries with conditions such as diabetes and heart failure have significantly different healthcare needs, which is why Care Improvement Plus such an important option for beneficiaries with chronic illnesses in Texas to consider."

Approximately 580,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Texas are eligible to join Care Improvement Plus, which focuses exclusively on beneficiaries diagnosed with diabetes, heart failure, end stage renal disease (ESRD) and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The plan is currently the largest chronic condition special needs plan in the state, with more than 19,500 members.

Care Improvement Plus members receive coverage that offers all the advantages of Original Medicare, with additional benefits and care management services, including:

-- Comprehensive Part D coverage including options offering select disease

state and generic prescriptions at $0 copay for the life of the

benefit, including through coverage gap.

-- An open access provider network where members may go to any

Medicare-approved provi
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