But more and more health plans are being forced to withdraw from the Medicare HMO market rather than cope with the administrative burdens and inadequate funding of the Medicare+ Choice program, which oversees Medicare HMOs. More than 933,000 Medicare HMO members across the country will lose their plans at year end and must find other coverage or return to Medicare, the American Association of Health Plans estimates. In Florida, some 88,000 Medicare beneficiaries are expected to be affected by the upheaval.

The good news is that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s HMO, Health Options, will continue to offer Medicare & More to its members during 2001. However, like other plans, we continue to experience Medicare+Choice’s financial strain, despite reducing costs where possible. Because of these issues, Health Options will have to make changes in some benefit provisions. In certain areas of the state, we are requesting additional plan premiums and making changes to our provider networks.

We value the confidence of our Medicare & More members and hope that you will support our efforts to get legislative relief. Let your voice be heard on Capitol Hill. We urge you to contact your legislators to explain what Medicare & More means to you.