Highly ranked SCAN Health Plan to offer 2021 benefits in Northern California

When speaking with anyone at SCAN Health Plan, it becomes obvious that SCAN believes health plans should provide much more than medical coverage. This is especially true for a plan that serves seniors and other Medicare-eligible members, upholding a mission of “keeping seniors healthy and independent.” Factor in people’s natural questions and concerns during a pandemic, and SCAN’S 2021 offerings show that SCAN wants people to live better, more safely, and with greater comfort and confidence.

Beginning with the current open enrollment period for 2021, SCAN Health Plan is available to people eligible for Medicare in San Francisco, Santa Clara, Napa, Sonoma and Stanislaus counties.

SCAN’S innovative and people-focused approach to health care management is why SCAN has received 90% member satisfaction ratings for three years in a row and why U.S. News & World Report lists SCAN as one of the best Medicare Advantage plans.

It’s also why the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has rated SCAN Health Plan at a 4.5 (out of 5)* for the fourth consecutive year.

“Back-to-back high annual ratings from CMS are difficult to come by for any plan,” explains

Jill Selby, corporate vice president of strategic initiatives and product development at SCAN. “We are the only plan in California to have earned 4.5 stars four years in a row. We keep evolving every year because the bar keeps going up; we won’t rely on last year’s success for this year’s rating.”

With open enrollment taking place soon, here’s what to know about how SCAN improves lives for seniors and other Medicare-eligible individuals.

“Stability in benefits and medical staff are our members’ top priorities, which means that those are the top priorities of SCAN,” Selby says. “We know that members don’t want to wonder from year to year if their benefits, doctors or costs will change dramatically. And we’re also dedicated to offering benefits that are meaningful to the vast majority of members.”

SCAN enhances lives with $0 services

While specific benefits and costs vary by county and SCAN plan, there are a number of new-for-2021 benefits available to all SCAN members that add value.

Telehealth — In addition to what is offered by the medical groups and doctors’ offices in the plan, SCAN itself offers a $0 telehealth benefit to members 24/7.

“That means that no one ever has to wait for an appointment in order to receive a consultation, diagnosis or prescription with a board-certified doctor,” Selby says. “And it doesn’t require any more than a landline phone.”

HEALTHTECH — In addition to telehealth, SCAN provides technology support to help members more easily learn how to manage their medical care using computers, tablets or smartphones.

SCAN on the go — Especially at a time when seniors may not be living in their primary home, SCAN knows that health insurance coverage must be portable. With SCAN on the go, members can find exactly which benefits are available to them when they are traveling or temporarily staying out of town.

“If a member has to live in another city or state for a while, they don’t have to worry about not being able to replace their glasses or get their hearing exams and other tests from local care providers.”

Also with SCAN, Brainhq provides online cognitive exercises at no cost to all members. The engaging exercises help enhance memory, brain speed and other functions in order to boost brain health. Brainhq is available to the public, but SCAN covers the fee for members to use it.

“Brainhq activities are designed to relate to real-life situations; they’re not puzzles or brain teasers,” says Selby, adding that the graduated learning system helps people with things like remembering people’s names or strengthening their peripheral vision for driving.

“There are all kinds of activities and you can pick on your own or you can have the system choose for you based on your interests and skill level as you grow,” Selby says. “There are so many types of activities that it’s possible to do several activities a day and never repeat an activity.”

Other SCAN benefits, which may vary by county of enrollment, include Alternative Pain Management treatments. Members in Santa Clara County, for instance, can choose a plan that covers acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy.

Let’s get out: SCAN Health Plan includes medical and nonmedical transportation.

It’s one thing for a Medicare Advantage health plan to offer transportation to medical appointments for members. But SCAN provides a whole new level of attention.

“Some plans allow our members to use a portion of their allocated trips for things like going to the grocery store; for safely attending outdoor events; for activities at the local senior center — when that time comes again,” Selby says. “Social isolation is very real for seniors. We want people to interact with others as much as they safely can.”

SCAN benefits even include a $0 medical alert system in many plans. Members and their families can be confident that in an accident or emergency, care will be on the way.

Selby added that, when it comes time to decide on a Medicare Advantage health plan for you or your loved ones, the most important factor is personal fit.

“I emphasize that people should look for a plan that offers consistency, stability and transparency on actual dollar amounts, so that they’ll never worry their benefits or costs will change,” she says.

*4.5 out of 5 Star

Rating applies to all plans offered by SCAN Health Plan from 2018 to 2021 except SCAN Healthy at Home (HMO SNP) and Villagehealth (HMO-POS SNP) plans. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Awards and recognition are subject to change each year. SCAN Health Plan is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in SCAN Health Plan depends on contract renewal.