Thank you for your interest in Sierra VillageHealth (HMO) Medicare Advantage Plan offered by Health Plan of Nevada.  Be sure to read the information below.  It gives you more detail about our plan.  You will also find essential telephone numbers for assistance with any questions you may have. We hope you will consider enrolling in Sierra VillageHealth and look forward to having you as a member.

There is one Special Election Period (SEP) for enrollment into a Chronic Care Special Needs Plan such as Sierra VillageHealth, and any individual with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) may enroll at any time but may only disenroll at certain times.

Important Dates - Enrollment begins November 15, 2009.  Coverage begins January 1, 2010.

Glossary - Medicare Advantage Plan (MA Plan), Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug Coverage (MA/PD Plan), Stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP).

Annual Election Period (AEP) - The AEP is from November 15 - December 31 with coverage effective January 1.  Individuals may use an AEP enrollment each year.  Once the enrollment is effective, the AEP has been used.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) - The initial enrollment period is the period during which an individual is first eligible to enroll in a Medicare plan.  Individuals who are becoming eligible for Medicare will have an Initial Enrollment Period that is the seven (7) month period surrounding Medicare eligibility (same as the IEP for Part B).  That is, the initial enrollment period is the three (3) months before becoming eligible for Medicare, the month of eligibility, and the three (3) months following eligibility.  Individuals first eligible for Medicare based on disability, who subsequently lose Medicare entitlement, have another Initial Enrollment Period.  Individuals first eligible for Medicare based on disability who do not have a lapse in Medicare entitlement prior to their turning 65 do not have an additional Initial Enrollment Period.  If you believe you are entitled to a plan as a result of an IEP, please feel free to contact us to discuss it and/or you may call the Member Services Department.

Open Enrollment Period (OEP) - The OEP is January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010.  Eligible individuals may make one election to the same type of plan with regard to Medicare prescription drug coverage.  If an individual is enrolled in a MA/PD plan and wants to enroll in original Medicare and a stand-alone PDP, this action will automatically disenroll the individual from the MA/PD plan.

Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) - During an SEP, an individual may discontinue enrollment in a PDP or change to a different type of Part D Plan.

For Extra Help - People with limited incomes may qualify for Extra Help to pay for their prescription drug costs.  If eligible, Medicare could pay for seventy-five (75) percent of drug costs including monthly prescription drug premiums, annual deductibles, and coinsurance.  Additionally, those who qualify will not be subject to the coverage gap or a late enrollment penalty.  Many people are eligible for these savings and don't even know it.  For more information about this Extra Help, contact your local Social Security Office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.  TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Health Plan of Nevada is is authorized by law to refuse to renew its contract with CMS.  CMS also may refuse to renew the contract.  Termination or non-renewal may result in termination of your enrollment in the plan.  In addition, Health Plan of Nevada may reduce its service area and no longer offer services in the area where you live.

Need additional information?

Call Member Services at 1-866-421-4386; TTY: 1-800-349-3538.  Member Services hours:  From March 2 through November 14, we are open Monday - Friday from 8 am to 8 pm.  Calls on Saturday, Sunday and holidays will be received by our automated phone system (where you can leave a detailed message and a representative will return your call as soon as possible).  From November 15 through March 1, we are open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.

Write us at:  Member Services, Sierra VillageHealth, P. O. Box 15645, Las Vegas, NV 89114-5645.

Or call:  1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for more information and Medicare benefits and services, including general information on the health or Part D benefit.

For Sierra VillageHealth plan ratings information, go to http://www.medicare.gov.

Sierra VillageHealth is a Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization Special Needs plan offered by Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., a UnitedHealthcare Company.  Health Plan of Nevada, Inc. is a health plan with a Medicare contract. This plan is available to anyone with Medicare Parts A & B who has been medically determined to have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).  You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium and use plan providers for routine care.  Prescription coverage subject to limitations.