Central Health Medicare Plan (CHP), which serves members in the Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and, most recently, San Mateo counties, has earned national attention as the recipient of the highly coveted Senior Choice Gold Award. Central Health Plan is a subsidiary of Bright HealthCare and Bright Health Group (NYSE:BHG). Presented by HealthMetrix Research and MedicareNewsWatch.com, the honor recognizes CHP for bringing exceptional value to its members compared to competing plans when the health status of its members combined with their presumed out-of-cost expenditures are taken into account.

“We are pleased to receive this recognition related to our affordable plans that offer high quality care and member satisfaction,” said Shawn Dewers, Bright HealthCare California president.

CHP helps Medicare recipients gain access to programs and services beyond traditional Medicare. Many of its plans are available with no-cost premiums, no copays for primary care doctor visits, no-cost prescriptions, gym membership, and vision, dental and acupuncture services. In addition, all plans include unlimited transportation to and from medical appointments within a 50-mile limit and grocery delivery is available in most plans to those with chronic conditions.

Award recipients were selected from more than 100 Medicare managed care plans based on cost-sharing comparisons conducted by HealthMetrix Research Inc., a national independent managed care research firm.

"This prestigious consumer award addresses the concerns that beneficiaries may have with both Medicare plan performance and the out-of-pocket costs incurred after they enroll,” explains HealthMetrix Research and MedicareNewsWatch.com President Alan Mittermaier. “Central Health Medicare Plan has demonstrated a commitment to delivering maximum value in the design of its plan benefits, copayments, deductibles and premiums regardless of health status. We believe that informed beneficiaries can rely on this award as an indication of excellence just as they rely on other awards and consumer ratings that recognize excellence in quality of care and member satisfaction.”

CHP also is announcing a new a plan that returns $125 per month into the Social Security checks of its members who select the Central Health Savings Plan HMO. Referred to as a “rebate,” members continue to have access to the same network of doctors and hospitals they already had while reducing their monthly Medicare Part B cost. Over the course of a year, members will see their Social Security checks increase by $1,500 ($3,000 for couples).

Central Health Medicare Plan (NYSE:BHG) is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Central Health Medicare Plan depends on contract renewal. The Senior Choice Gold Award is presented by HealthMetrix Research Inc., Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.

For more information about Central Health Medicare Plan, call 1-866-314-2427 or visit www.CentralHealthPlan.com.