Anthem Medicare Advantage Providers for At-Home Care
Expert vision, podiatry, hearing, and diagnostic care for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare members, without the waiting room.
Anthem Medicare Advantage members have access to a broad network of doctors and specialists. The challenge for many seniors is not finding a provider. It is getting there. Aspire Healthcare Solutions closes that gap by bringing specialty care to Anthem Medicare members at home, whether home is a house, a senior apartment, an assisted living community, or a long-term care facility. Since 2010, our team of experts has provided mobile optometry, podiatry, audiology, in-home lab work, PAD testing, and other diagnostic screenings for older adults who deserve consistent care without the strain of travel. If your coverage used to say Empire BlueCross BlueShield and now says Anthem, you are in the right place.
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Need quality care at home or in a residential facility? Aspire Health Solutions brings personalized medical services—like vision, podiatry, dental, and audiology—right to your door. Reach out today to schedule a visit!
From Empire BlueCross BlueShield to Anthem: What Members Should Know
On January 1, 2024, Empire BlueCross BlueShield became Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Empire BlueCross became Anthem Blue Cross. The change applied to Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. Empire had been part of the Anthem family of health plans since 2006, so the new name reflected a company members already belonged to.
Anthem stated that its provider networks did not change because of the new name and that members would not see a reduction in coverage or access to care. Many people still search for “Empire Medicare” out of habit, and that is completely understandable. If you still have an older Empire card in your wallet, the Member Services number on your current Anthem card can confirm which card to use.
Anthem Medicare At-Home Care FAQs
Is Empire BlueCross BlueShield the same as Anthem?
Yes. On January 1, 2024, Empire BlueCross BlueShield became Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, and Empire BlueCross became Anthem Blue Cross, across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial plans. Empire had been part of the Anthem family of health plans since 2006, so the change was a new name for the same organization rather than a new insurer. Anthem stated that its provider networks were not changing as a result of the new name and that members would not see a reduction in coverage or access to care. If you previously had Empire Medicare coverage and are unsure whether anything about your plan has changed since then, your Annual Notice of Change or the Member Services number on your Anthem ID card can give you a clear answer. Aspire Healthcare Solutions provides at-home specialty care for Anthem Medicare members regardless of which name you know the plan by.
Does Anthem Medicare Advantage cover hearing aids?
Hearing benefits vary across Anthem Medicare Advantage plans. Many Anthem plans include some level of hearing coverage, while others offer limited hearing benefits or none at all beyond what Original Medicare covers. Original Medicare covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams in certain situations, but it generally does not cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams. To see what your specific plan includes, review your Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage, or call Anthem Member Services. If your plan includes hearing benefits, or if you have a hearing concern your doctor wants evaluated, Aspire Healthcare Solutions offers at-home hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and ear wax removal so you can address hearing loss without traveling to an audiology office.
Does Anthem Medicare Advantage cover eye exams?
All Anthem Medicare Advantage plans cover the eye care Original Medicare covers, including a yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy for people with diabetes and medically necessary exams for eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts. Many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans also include routine vision benefits, which can apply to eye exams and eyewear, though the specific benefits and any limits depend on your plan. Your Summary of Benefits is the best place to confirm what is included. Aspire Healthcare Solutions brings mobile optometry to Anthem Medicare members at home, offering comprehensive eye exams, dilated eye exams, retinal imaging, vision testing, and glasses, along with diabetic retinal exams that help protect long-term vision.
What is the difference between an Anthem HMO-POS plan and a PPO plan?
An Anthem Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plan works through a network of participating providers and generally asks members to coordinate care through a primary care provider. The point-of-service feature allows limited coverage for certain out-of-network services, usually at a higher cost. Some HMO-POS plans require referrals before seeing a specialist. An Anthem Medicare Advantage PPO plan typically offers more flexibility, letting members see providers in or out of network without a referral, although out-of-network care usually costs more. These differences can affect how you schedule specialty services such as at-home eye care, podiatry, or hearing care, so it is worth confirming your plan’s referral and authorization rules with Anthem Member Services before your visit. If a referral is needed, your primary care provider’s office can usually help.
Does Anthem Medicare cover at-home medical visits?
Whether an at-home visit is covered depends on your specific Anthem Medicare plan, the service you receive, and whether that service is medically necessary. Anthem Medicare Advantage plans cover the medically necessary services Original Medicare covers, which include several services Aspire Healthcare Solutions provides at home, such as diabetic eye exams, diabetic foot care, diagnostic hearing exams, and medically necessary lab tests. Many Anthem plans also include extra benefits for routine vision, hearing, and dental care. Because benefits, cost sharing, and referral rules vary, reviewing your Evidence of Coverage or calling the Member Services number on your Anthem ID card is the most reliable way to confirm coverage before your visit. Once you know what your plan includes, our team can bring the care you need directly to your home.
Specialty Care Anthem Medicare Members Can Receive at Home
Eye care without the trip. Our mobile optometry team performs comprehensive eye exams, dilated eye exams, retinal imaging, vision tests, and medical eye exams at home, and can help with glasses. For members with diabetes, diabetic retinal exams help identify eye changes that often develop without early symptoms.
Foot care that keeps you moving. Mobile podiatry visits address diabetic foot care, foot pain, and a range of foot and ankle conditions, along with orthotics for added comfort and support.
Hearing care in a quiet, familiar room. At-home hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, and professional ear wax removal help members hear more clearly in the place where they spend most of their day.
Testing that usually requires a separate trip. PAD testing checks circulation in the legs and feet, and in-home lab collection covers HbA1c, microalbumin, and other measures that can be difficult to complete in person.
Support that adds safety and convenience. Vaccines, telehealth visits, durable medical equipment, medical alert systems, medical alert key lock boxes, and dental photography screenings reviewed by a telemedicine dentist round out our at-home services.
The Hidden Barriers Between Anthem Medicare Members and Their Care
Most seniors who miss specialty appointments are not avoiding care. They are running into obstacles like these:
- No longer driving, or depending on family members with busy schedules
- Difficulty walking long distances through parking lots, lobbies, and hallways
- Chronic pain or fatigue that makes a single outing exhausting
- Concern about falls, weather, or crowded waiting rooms
- Hearing or vision loss that makes navigating an unfamiliar office stressful
- Living in a care facility where outside appointments require staff and transportation
Each obstacle on its own may seem manageable. Together, they explain why eye exams slip from one year to two, why foot problems go unchecked, and why lab work ordered months ago still has not been completed. At-home care removes those obstacles entirely, so the only thing a member needs to do is answer the door.
How Anthem Medicare Advantage Benefits Apply to At-Home Care
Anthem offers several types of Medicare coverage, and the type you have shapes how you access specialty care. Many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans are HMO-POS plans, which use a network of participating providers while allowing limited out-of-network coverage in certain situations. Anthem also offers PPO plans, which generally give members more flexibility to see providers both in and out of network, often at different costs.
Every Anthem Medicare Advantage plan covers the medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers. Under Medicare Part B, that includes a yearly eye exam for diabetic retinopathy for people with diabetes, foot exams and treatment for people with diabetes-related nerve damage, diagnostic hearing and balance exams, and medically necessary lab tests.
Extra benefits are where Anthem plans differ the most. Many Anthem Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, but the details vary from plan to plan. Some include a routine hearing exam, for example, while others do not. Your Summary of Benefits and Evidence of Coverage spell out exactly what your plan includes, and Anthem Member Services can answer questions about referrals or prior authorization.
Aspire Healthcare Solutions is an independent healthcare provider. We do not sell insurance, recommend plans, or enroll members in coverage. Our role is delivering expert care to your door.
Who Gains the Most From Anthem Medicare At-Home Care
At-home care makes the biggest difference for Anthem Medicare members whose health needs are steady but whose ability to travel is not. Seniors managing diabetes often need eye exams, foot care, and lab work every year, and at-home visits allow all three to happen without three separate trips. Members who use walkers or wheelchairs, or who are recovering from a hospital stay, can receive specialty care without the physical toll of getting to an office.
Residents of assisted living communities and long-term care facilities benefit from on-site visits that do not require outside transportation or staff escorts. Older adults who have quietly put off hearing or vision care often find that a relaxed visit at home makes it easier to finally address concerns. And for adult children and spouses who coordinate care, at-home visits mean fewer days off work and less worry about how their loved one will get to the next appointment.
Why Anthem Medicare Members Turn to Aspire
- A recognized at-home care provider since 2010: Aspire began with customized in-home eye care and has expanded into a full range of mobile specialty services.
- Experts across multiple specialties: Our team includes nurse practitioners, vascular specialists, cardiologists, podiatrists, audiologists, and other skilled professionals.
- Fewer providers to coordinate: Eye care, foot care, hearing care, lab work, and screenings are available through one team.
- Strength in early detection: We focus on identifying and managing cardiovascular risks, atherosclerosis, and diabetes-related complications.
- Care in every setting: We serve private homes, senior apartments, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities.
- Flexible scheduling: Visits are planned around your routine rather than an office’s calendar.
- Award-recognized, compassionate care: Every visit centers on the comfort, dignity, and individual needs of the patient.
Schedule At-Home Care for Your Anthem Medicare Coverage
Call Aspire Healthcare Solutions at
347-717-4117 Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, or request an appointment online any time. Have your Anthem member ID card nearby, tell us which services you or your loved one need, and our team will help you find a convenient time for your visit.
