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VISTA launches Focused Deductible HMO Plan
HOLLYWOOD, FL - February 3, 2005 - VISTA announced today that it has expanded
its portfolio of health benefit products with the launch of its Focused
Deductible HMO plan, available to individuals in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm
Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties.
The Focused Deductible HMO, effective February 1, 2005, gives consumers more
choice and flexibility over their health care decision making and allows VISTA
to pass on considerable premium savings of 20 to 24 percent compared to its
core HMO products. "We're addressing the needs of the working uninsured.
Typically these are people who are self employed or work for a small company,"
said Mary Saiz, director of individual sales.
With most deductible-based health plans, the deductible is applied across the
spectrum of health care services. However, VISTA's plan focuses the deductible
in two primary areas that are driving up health care costs - hospital services
and prescription drugs. The plan's $1,000 hospital deductible applies to
inpatient and outpatient hospital services. A $250 deductible for prescription
drugs applies to all tiers and members enjoy the savings passed on to them
through VISTA's discounted contract rates. Expenses incurred through the
deductibles are offset by the significant savings consumers can achieve on
their premium. For example, a male aged 24 years old in good health could have
a monthly premium of $97.83*.
Similar to VISTA's other HMO plans, members on the Focused Deductible plan are
covered for services received through VISTA's extensive network of
participating providers. The plan emphasizes preventive care and early
interaction with a primary care physician (PCP) by providing low copays instead
of deductibles for PCP and specialist services - $10 for a PCP visit and $20
for specialists.
Furthermore, the hospital and prescription drug deductibles are accumulated on a
calendar year and once each is satisfied, a copayment for these services
applies. "We've come up with a plan that has the right combination of
affordability, preventive care services and cost sharing. Individuals
struggling to find a solution to rising health care costs will be very pleased
with what we're offering," added Saiz.
VISTA's Focused Deductible HMO, is part of the company's rapid expansion of its
portfolio of products and aggressive plans for membership growth in 2005. The
company will launch a new small employer group product that will be offered
exclusively through South Florida chambers of commerce and recently expanded
its Medicare Advantage plan, VISTA Medicare Platinum, into Martin and St. Lucie
counties.
*VISTA's Focused Deductible HMO plan is medically underwritten.
Premium prices vary for each individual and are based on the individual's
medical history.
About VISTA
VISTA, through its affiliated companies, Vista Healthplan, Inc., Vista
Healthplan of South Florida, Inc. and Vista Insurance Plan, Inc., offers a
choice of health benefit plans including health maintenance organization (HMO),
preferred provider organization (PPO) and point-of-service (POS). Headquartered
in Hollywood, Florida, the VISTA companies provide health benefits coverage to
more than 300,000 members and 10,000 employers in Florida through employer
group and individual plans, Medicare, Medicaid and Florida's Healthy Kids
program. More than 5,000 independent physicians and the area's leading
hospitals participate in VISTA's provider network. VISTA's health plans were
awarded a three-year accreditation from the Accreditation Association for
Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) - the highest level of accreditation a health
plan can achieve. More information about VISTA is available at
www.vistahealthplan.com
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