Have Medicare and Medicaid? Get Support Like Howard
At Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, we’re proud to offer a $0 health plan for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. The plan is called BlueRI for Duals (HMO-DSNP), and it gives members like Howard from Providence extra benefits and support at no added cost.
Help solving problems
Howard has a Health Navigator, Leslie, who helps him when he has questions or needs support. She can help with forms, benefits, doctor visits, and other health needs. He has other care team members who help him, too. For example, his care managers can help him tackle problems with medications, mental health, and more.
Howard once lost his walker—which he needs to get around and complete daily tasks—during a hospital stay. Leslie helped him get a new one, and the team continues to check in and make sure it’s working well for him.
Each month, either Leslie (his Health Navigator), Alicia (his nurse care manager), or Lauren (his behavioral health care manager) give him a call to make sure he’s doing well. They all work together to support Howard’s health needs. He says they listen to him, and they feel like friends now.
Recently, when Howard experienced new health symptoms, he was unsure what they meant. His care team listened to him, helped him talk with his doctors, and planned his next steps and appointments.
“Before I knew it, my doctor’s office called to set up an appointment. That touched me because she didn't just hear me, she listened and made the call.” Howard said. He was thankful for the help.
Help getting where he needs to go
Howard uses his ride benefit1 to get to doctor visits and his local senior center. His plan gives him 60 one-way rides for $0. The rides can take him to places that support his health and well-being. This benefit is especially helpful in the cold winter months. It also helps when a bus trip would take a long time or be difficult to plan.
For Howard, the transportation benefit is one of the reasons he likes his BlueRI for Duals plan better than the previous plan he had with a different health insurer.
"My ride benefit is easy to use and reliable. The vehicles are never overcrowded, and I can go straight to where I need to be without stopping for other people," he explained.
Help paying for everyday expenses
The BlueRI for Duals plan comes with a Flexible Benefit Card2. Money is added to Howard’s card each month for everyday health items and groceries3. He uses his card to buy many foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables. He is trying to eat better and likes using his monthly allowance to buy ingredients for smoothies.
Help paying for medicine
BlueRI for Duals members who qualify for Extra Help have low (or $0) copays on their prescription drugs. This helps Howard get the medicine he needs without worrying about unaffordable prices.
“All my medications are taken care of. I get them on time, and they’re paid for,” he said.
Help from local, friendly people
Howard was playing cards with friends at the St. Martin de Porres Center when he saw someone from BCBSRI. She asked how he was doing and made sure he was happy with his plan. Moments like this make him appreciate having a plan that’s present in his community.
“I love that it’s a local plan!” said Howard.
Help worth sharing
Howard is happy with his plan and feels good about his coverage. He recommends BCBSRI to people he knows. When friends feel upset with their health plan, Howard asks, “Why don’t you switch over?”
He encourages others to speak up for themselves and lean on someone they trust, whether it's a spouse, child, or close friend, when making healthcare decisions. If they're considering a new health plan, he says having that support can make the process easier. For Howard, switching to BCBSRI was a smooth process.
"I’m satisfied,” he said. “I wouldn't change a thing, and I couldn't ask for more."
If you think you’re eligible for BlueRI for Duals, here’s what you should do next:
Call (401) 459-5477 (TTY: 711) to speak with a member of our team. We’ll help you figure out which plan you qualify for, answer any questions you have, and make sure you're getting all the benefits and support available to you.
1 Available within our service area. Any trip over 20 miles will count as additional trips and will be subtracted from your plan’s trip total.
2 Unused benefits do not roll over to the next benefit period. You cannot exceed your benefit amount. Prices, brands, and items vary from store to store. Purchases made online or by phone using the catalog may also be different than what you find in stores.
3 The grocery and utility benefits are Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI). You may be eligible for SSBCI if you are enrolled in BlueRI for Duals (HMO D-SNP) and live with one or more qualifying chronic condition(s), as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), including but not limited to chronic heart failure, chronic lung diseases, dementia, diabetes mellitus, and frailty & fall risk. Receiving these benefits is not solely determined by your condition(s); all relevant eligibility criteria must be satisfied before benefits are available for use. Please see your Evidence of Coverage for full details.