Firms improve LV Medicare programs under new law

Michelle Swafford

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2004 | 10:55 a.m.

Las Vegas-area seniors on private Medicare plans such as Senior Dimensions and Secure Horizons will likely see additional benefits and a decline in premiums in March.

The new Medicare law provides additional reimbursements for insurers that offer Medicare + Choice plans, which are privatized health plans that cover everything traditional Medicare covers and then some for people age 65 and older and the disabled.

The only providers of private Medicare plans in Nevada are Las Vegas-based Sierra Health Services Inc., which offers Senior Dimensions; and Cypress, Calif.,-based PacifiCare Health Systems Inc., which offers Secure Horizons.

Pending approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which oversees traditional Medicare, Secure Horizons and Senior Dimensions will enhance their benefits packages as of March 1.

Senior Dimensions' proposed enhancements include:

Secure Horizons' proposed enhancements include:

Both programs will introduce prescription drug discount cards later this year.

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