WENATCHEE, Wash.—Health Alliance Medicare members spoke up and told the federal government they’re happy with their healthcare coverage and customer service.The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) last month gave Health Alliance Medicare plans in Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties 4.5 stars out 5—making Health Alliance Medicare the only plan in the area with more than 4 stars.That’s important for seniors as they choose their coverage for 2016. The Annual Election Period, or AEP, ends December 7. The overall CMS Star Rating measures topics in five categories:
- Staying healthy
- Managing chronic (long-term) conditions
- Member experience with the health plan
- Member complaints and changes in the health plan’s performance
- Health plan customer service
“Members are always our priority, and it means so much that they’re happy with their coverage and customer service,” said Jana Perry, vice president of sales and retention. “When we become part of a community, it means we’re right in town. You can come visit us. You can call us. We’ll be there.”Health Alliance Medicare formed a partnership with Confluence Health to bring together local health care and local health care coverage for people on Medicare in North Central Washington.“Thank you, members, for telling us that’s working for you,” Perry said.The Star Rating for 2016 is the first for Health Alliance Medicare in Washington, where members were able to have coverage starting January 1, 2013. CMS rates plans only after they become established.Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Health Alliance Medicare is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Health Alliance Medicare depends on contract renewal. For more information about CMS Star Ratings, please visit Medicare.gov.For more information about Health Alliance Medicare, to find a seminar nearby, request an information kit or to enroll over the phone, call 1-877-561-1463 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily until February 14. TTY/TDD 711.This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our customer service number at 1-877-561-1463 (TTY: 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from October 1 to February 14 and weekdays the rest of the year.Esta información está disponible sin cargo en otros idiomas. Para obtener información adicional, llamar a nuestro número de servicio al cliente al 1-877-561-1463 (TTY: 711). Nuestro horario es de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m., los 7 días de la semana, 1 de octubre a 14 de febrero, y lunes a viernes el resto del año.