PITTSFIELD, Maine, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when the 250,000+ eligible Medicare recipients in Maine are increasingly concerned about finding affordable health insurance, they now have a competitive Medicare option for 2010.

The Today's Options® Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Medicare Advantage plan provides a cost-effective and comprehensive alternative to Original Medicare or a Medicare Supplement plan. People with Medicare can choose to sign up for this new plan during the Annual Election Period, November 15, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

"As important as it is, especially if you're on a fixed income, affordability is only part of the story," notes Bob Downs, Vice President and General Manager for Universal American (NYSE: UAM) in Maine, which offers Today's Options® PPO plan through its family of companies. "You also need a plan that not only treats you when you're sick, but also helps you stay active and healthy."

A special feature of Today's Options® PPO plan is the promise to deliver A Healthy Collaboration(SM), a partnership between the member, physician, pharmacist and health plan that takes a coordinated approach to each member's healthcare needs.

"It can be stressful to try to coordinate your healthcare all by yourself," Dr. Patricia Salber, Chief Medical Officer for Universal American says. "Many people tell me they would love the peace of mind of being able to call just one person who would keep track of their care -- like their family doctor did in years past."

This desire for personal healthcare "the way people remember it" is central to Today's Options® PPO. Members know just whom to call if they have any questions about their health and healthcare.

While people with Medicare appreciate having someone to coordinate their care, they also appreciate having alternatives. With Today's Options® PPO, individuals can select a plan with the innovative option to go out-of-network to seek treatment without penalty or additional cost.

As part of Today's Options® PPO, Universal American makes available a variety of services that focus on prevention and disease management. These include $0 co-pays on preventative services, a 24/7 Health Hotline, care coordination and a Medication Therapy Management (MTM) program. The 2010 plan provides comprehensive benefits, including low co-pays for doctor visits and prescription drug coverage. Universal American's plans provide healthcare coverage for more than two million members across the nation.

Today's Options(®) PPO is a Medicare-approved Medicare Advantage plan offered by American Progressive Life & Health Insurance Company of New York and The Pyramid Life Insurance Company, members of the Universal American family of companies.

People with Medicare may obtain more information about Today's Options® PPO by visiting http://www.universal-american-medicare.com or by calling 1-866-561-4405 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. EST.

About Universal American Corp.

Universal American (NYSE: UAM), through our family of healthcare companies, offers benefit plans designed to promote collaboration among our members and their healthcare professionals. This Healthy Collaboration improves the health and well-being of over two million people with Medicare every day. For more information on Universal American, please visit our website at www.UniversalAmerican.com.

SOURCE Universal American