SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Medicare Advantage offerings for the Central New York region in 2010 will include health plans that start at $5 a month.

Excellus BCBS also has a new online tool at www.excellusbcbs.com/medicare to help consumers compare Medicare plans and costs. The online tool can link consumers to Medicare resources, whether consumers
want to order a Medicare DVD or register for a free Medicare workshop.

Medicare’s annual enrollment period starts Sunday, Nov. 15, and ends Thursday, Dec. 31. This is the time of year when Medicare-eligible individuals can enroll in or switch Medicare Advantage plans.

“Our Medicare members should know that we were able to maintain benefits for many of our health plans in 2010, while also keeping many of our health plan premiums affordable,” said Anne Ruflin, Excellus BCBS vice president, Medicare.

Excellus BCBS Medicare members in 2010 will continue to receive access to a wide choice of area physicians and hospitals, comprehensive medical coverage, including a free routine physical exam and up to $650 annually for membership fees at qualified fitness and weight management programs through its “Go Getters” program.

The following are Excellus BCBS’s 2010 Medicare Advantage PPO health plans for the Central New York region:

• Medicare Blue PPO Plan One; medical and drug coverage; $5.50 monthly premium

• Medicare Blue PPO Plan Two; medical and drug coverage; $63 monthly premium

• Medicare Blue PPO Plan Three; medical and drug coverage; $78 monthly premium

• Medicare Blue PPO Plan Four; medical coverage; $5 monthly premium

To enroll in these plans, individuals must be entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B. For more information, current members can call 1 (866) 846-8643, and prospective members can call 1 (800) 659-1986. Or go to www.excellusbcbs.com/medicare.

Excellus BCBS’s Central New York region covers Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego,
St. Lawrence and Tompkins counties.

The Fulton District Wide Storytelling Festival was held and storytellers from throughout the district showcased their talents in telling a wide variety of stories. Participants told a folktale, fairytale, myth, legend, tall tale or fable. The stories ranged from spooky legends to hilarious tales and many had a useful moral attached that provided a bit [...]

Parents: Get your social life back on track! Go out “guilt-free” and have fun knowing that your children are not just waiting for you by the TV — but are having fun too!

Happy New Year to all of our readers in the tri-county region!
While our Richland facility is closed until April, the society is still active with Friday afternoon hours at the Barclay Court House in Pulaski (2nd floor over DMV, 2pm until 5) or by appointment. We got off to a rocky start following our [...]