Highmark lowers premiums for 2016 Medicare Advantage plans

In an effort to keep members as rival UPMC grows its insurance business, Pittsburgh-based Highmark is lowering premiums for seven of its nine Medicare Advantage plans for 2016, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Premiums will decrease by 3 to 35 percent for the plans and networks will remain largely the same, said Tim Lightner, Highmark's vice president of product and marketing for senior products. Reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage plans from CMS and quality bonus payments helped Highmark lower premiums, according to Mr. Lightner.

Highmark has approximately 182,000 Medicare Advantage members in western Pennsylvania.

UPMC Health Plan, which has approximately 145,000 Medicare Advantage members, is increasing premiums for five of its six Medicare Advantage plans for 2016.

The outcome of an Oct. 6 Supreme Court hearing could change the Pennsylvania insurers' plans. The hearing involves whether UPMC must continue to provide in-network health services to Highmark Medicare Advantage plan members.

The open enrollment period for Medicare Advantage runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

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