BayCare Medicare

Plan details have not been released yet, but we are excited to work alongside a local, trusted brand like BayCare as they enter the Medicare market in 2019.

BayCare’s plan will be a value-based care plan which is designed to improve the doctor patient experience, ultimately leading to long term plan sustainability.

This means better benefits for Medicare eligible residents in the Tampa and surrounding areas.

Plan information is limited and until we have more information to share, we have gathered some basic information for you to learn more about the BayCare health system.

About BayCare?

BayCare Health System in Clearwater, FL was founded in 1997 and is a leading not-for-profit health care system in the greater Tampa market.  As of 2018, they are the only local health system in Tampa area that will be offering their own Medicare Advantage plan.

This is extremely important as it allows BayCare to offer benefits utilizing a value based health care plan which is designed to better serve patients by working closer with plan doctors.  They recently announced a relationship with Lumeris, a company with historical success of creating extremely competitive Medicare plans along side local health systems.

Value based health care continues to emerge, and it only makes sense that BayCare lead the way in the Tampa Medicare market.

The BayCare Health System mission is to improve the health of all they serve through community-owned health care services that set the standard for high-quality and compassionate care.

BayCare Heath has been a powerful economic engine within the Tampa Bay region by being the second largest private employer, generating billions in economic value.

We are very excited to hear about their entry into the Medicare market in Tampa.

Where is BayCare?

BayCare is headquartered here in sunny Clearwater, Florida and serves the greater Tampa market which includes Polk, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties.

Established in 1997, BayCare Health System in Tampa, FL has 15 not-for-profit hospitals and more than 300 facilities offering many different services including:  cancer, behavioral health, diabetes, extended care, heart and vascular services, infectious diseases, internal medicine, neurosciences, back and neck health, primary care, rehabilitation, sleeping disorders, sports medicine, and surgery.

Its hospitals have more than 3,500 beds and approximately 4,500 physicians.

What Medicare Plans Does BayCare Currently Accept?

Below are the current Medicare Advantage plans accepted by BayCare Health System as of June 12th 2018 according to their website:

BayCare Medicare Advantage (Upcoming release for the 2019 plan year)
Aetna Health
Advantica Eye Care (Accepted at BayCare Surgery Center located at Trinity)
Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company
CarePlus
Florida Blue (BlueMedicare HMO, BlueMedicare PPO, BlueMedicare Preferred HMO, PFFS)
Florida HealthCare Plans (Pinellas Hospitals only)
Freedom Medicare Advantage Plans
Humana Medicare Advantage Plan
Molina Medicare HMO
Optimum Healthcare
Preferred Care Partners HMO
Simply Healthcare Plans HMO (Allwell)
Sunshine State Health Plan HMO
United Behavioral Health
United Healthcare of Florida
WellCare of Florida

When is Medicare Open Enrollment for BayCare Health System?

BayCare does not mandate an open enrollment period.

Open enrollment refers to the time frame for Medicare eligible patients living within the BayCare service area to choose or renew a 2019 Medicare Advantage plan accepted in the BayCare health system network.

Medicare annual election period (AEP) is from October 15th through December 7th.  This is the roughly 7 week window you can change your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan.

BayCare recently announced they will be offering their own Medicare Advantage plan which will begin enrollment October 2018 and the first plan year will be 2019.  Plan details have not yet been released, but we’ll keep our clients updated as soon as we have more information.

Using Medicare Supplemental Insurance at BayCare

BayCare accepts all Medicare Supplements including Florida Blue.

If your primary residence is not in Florida and you need to use BayCare Health System doctors or facilities, your supplement will work the same was as it does in your resident state.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Residents of Florida need to check their Medicare Advantage plan benefits to confirm their plan is accepted by BayCare primary doctors, specialists, hospitals, urgent care centers and specialty centers.  If your plan does not include BayCare facilities as “in network”, you’ll want to fully understand your out-of-pocket costs before choosing BayCare approved Medicare services.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and are visiting Florida from out of state, you’ll need to review your Medicare Advantage plan summary of benefits to understand your out of network restrictions.

How to enroll in BayCare Medicare Advantage?

Enrolling in a BayCare Medicare Advantage plan will be a simple process once enrollment becomes available in October:

Work with a licensed and certified BayCare Medicare agent (agent’s are required to certify every single year).
Sign a scope of appointment (compliance form that all BayCare brokers and agents are required to obtain from you to make sure they are meeting CMS compliance).
Review the BayCare Medicare benefits (when they become available) and make sure all of your doctors, specialists, and prescription drugs are accepted.
Complete an application and begin using your benefits in 2019.

**Disclaimer.  BayCare Medicare benefits cannot be discussed until the plan is officially filed with CMS and approved. 

What Types of Services Does BayCare Health System Provide?

BayCare provides the full complement of healthcare services in the greater Tampa, Florida area. BayCare has built its network of services with the goal of being a single source for health care for its customers.

BayCare has 15 not-for-profit hospitals along with more than 300 facilities that serve the following patient needs:

Allergy/Immunology
Back and Neck Health Bariatrics/Weight Management
Behavioral Health
Breast Health
Cancer
Children’s Health
Corporate Wellness
Cosmetic Surgery
Dermatology
Diabetes
Ear, Nose and Throat
Emergency Care
Extended Care
Family Medicine
Fitness Centers
Gastroenterology
Gynecology
Hearing Health
Heart and Vascular Services
Home Care
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Interventional Radiology
Laboratories
Maternity
Men’s Health
Nephrology
Neurosciences
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Palliative Care
Pharmacy
Podiatry
Primary Care
Pulmonary and Respiratory
Rehabilitation
Rheumatology
Senior Health
Sleep Disorders
Sports Medicine
Surgery
Urgent Care
Urology
Women’s Health
Wound Care

What Types of Facilities Does BayCare Health System Operate?

The BayCare Health System locations in the greater Tampa area are spread across a four-county area: Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, and Pasco.

BayCare is investing $308 million to expand three hospitals in Hillsborough County: St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa; St. Joseph’s Hospital – North in Lutz; and St. Joseph’s Hospital – South in Riverview.

Following are the BayCare Health System locations and contact information as of June 2018:

Conclusion

BayCare is offering a Medicare Advantage starting in the 2019 benefit year.  Plan details haven’t been released yet, but BayCare made their announcement they are entering the Medicare Advantage market.
BayCare is in the Tampa area and surrounding counties of Polk, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough.
Baycare has 15 hospitals, 4 surgery centers, and 15 urgent care centers along with more than 500 physicians.
BayCare is the leading health system in Tampa, FL.

We are excited to be one of the local BayCare Medicare agencies and will continue to provide you and your family with the highest level of care for your insurance needs.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have.