News You Can Use
October, 1, 2018
Service Area Reduction for Chelan, Douglas and Grant Counties:
Our health plan made the difficult decision to reduce our service area for 2019 and will no longer offer our plan in Chelan, Douglas or Grant counties. A letter was sent to all members detailing your plan options for 2019. We are here to help you with your benefit questions through December 31st, and want to assure you that you are still covered under your current plan until then. To learn more about the service area reduction for Soundpath Health Members Click here
October, 1, 2018
To learn more about the transition from Soundpath Health to Premera Blue Cross Click here, by clicking this link you will leave this website and be redirected to a Premera Blue Cross web page.
September 7, 2018
Soundpath Health Novation Approval Letter to Members Re: Intent to sell Soundpath’s Medicare Advantage Plan contracts with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to Premera Blue Cross (Premera). Click here to read more.
June 26, 2018
CHI and Premera Blue Cross are pleased to announce a definitive agreement to sell Soundpath Health's Medicare Advantage contract to Premera. The sale is subject to state and federal regulatory reviews, including approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Click here to read more.
July 31, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington State Announces Wildfire Emergency Declaration
On July 31st, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency in all 39 Washington counties in order to call upon the services of the National Guard to help fight the fires. Soundpath Health wants its health insurance plan members to know of special benefit provisions that go into effect under federal guidelines should a state or federal emergency declaration directly impact them.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the brave men and women who are fighting the wildfires,” said Soundpath Chief Executive Officer Steve Schramm. “And, we want our members to know that there are special benefit provisions during emergencies to help them access medical care and prescriptions if they are directly impacted, or are forced to evacuate their homes.”
During a federal disaster or other public health emergency declaration, Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to medical services and prescription drugs even if they are relocated from their Medicare Plan's service area due to the emergency. Click
here to read our Member Emergency Information page.
Members with questions about the wildfire emergency can contact the Washington State Governor’s Office online (this link leads to a new website) or reach out to Customer Service at (866)789-7747.
A National Coverage Determination (NCD) is issued when Medicare will pay for an item or service, below are links to recent NCDs approved by Medicare:
Counseling to Prevent Tobacco Use
Effective September 26, 2017