Update: Tufts Medicare Preferred Offers Medicare Supplement and Stand-Alone Prescription Drug Plans

As previously announced on November 1, 2009, Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred introduced group Medicare Supplement plans and a stand-alone prescription drug plan, effective January 1, 2010.

These are separate plans. If an individual is enrolled in both, which is common, he or she will have a separate member ID number for each plan. The member ID number format for both plans is an "S" followed by a random number.

These plans are offered in addition to the Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO plan.

Tufts Medicare Preferred Supplement Plan
This plan supplements a member’s Medicare coverage and is offered to eligible employer groups for their retirees.

There is no contracted provider network, and members do not need to select a primary care physician.

Providers should bill Medicare for Medicare-covered services and items, and Medicare will then forward the claim to Tufts Medicare Preferred for processing. Please do not bill Tufts Medicare Preferred for Medicare-covered services, as those claims will be denied.

Tufts Medicare Preferred covers a limited number of services and items that are not covered by Medicare. Please submit claims for the following items and services directly to Tufts Medicare Preferred:

Annual routine physical exam (except for the one-time “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam)
Annual routine hearing exam (covered up to $100)
Annual routine vision exam (covered up to $100)
Eye glasses (lenses and frames covered up to $150 per year)
Hearing aids (covered up to $500 once every three calendar years)
Wig prostheses for cancer and leukemia patients (up to $350 per year)

For all other items and services, please bill Medicare.

Prescription Drug Plan
This stand-alone Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) is offered to those who have Medicare as their primary medical plan and need to obtain drug coverage (Part D) by joining a Medicare PDP. Those covered under a Medicare Advantage HMO plan, such as the Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO, cannot elect the new PDP.

Members who elect the PDP as individuals, not through an employer group, have a 4-tier plan. Tier 4 includes specialty drugs. Members who join through an employer group have a 3-tier plan.

Members who join the PDP are issued a Prescription Drug Plan card. To identify a Tufts Health Plan PDP member, the card is clearly labeled with “PDP” displayed in the upper right corner.

If you have questions, please call the Tufts Medicare Preferred Provider Services Department at 800-279-9022.

November 1, 2009
Updated: March 26, 2010
Updated: May 1, 2010