CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Thousands of Medicare members in Cambria County are facing major coverage changes next year after UPMC for Life announced it is ending its Medicare Advantage plans with prescription-drug coverage in Cambria, Clearfield and Cameron counties.
UPMC is not leaving those counties entirely, but members enrolled in those Medicare Advantage plans with prescription-drug coverage will need to review their options before their current coverage ends. Letters began going out this month to people who will be impacted.
Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt said the county has heard from a few residents concerned about what the change means for their coverage. Hunt called the decision disappointing and said many older adults depend on UPMC for Life and may now have to find a new plan.
“We should be having increased coverage not decreased coverage and I know there’s some different initiatives through the state that’s supposed to be targeting a lot of the stuff with rural health care but it’s definitely this is just another thing on top of it that highlights the hits that you know rural counties such as Canberra County has taken in the last several years,” Hunt said.
Hunt recommended that anyone who receives a notice contact an insurance broker or professional to review their doctors, medications and coverage options. He said the change comes as rural communities already face concerns about health care and pharmacy access.
Hunt also said county retirees insured through the county’s group plan will not lose coverage.
Medicare’s annual enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 17.