Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans are a favorable option for several Medicare seniors nationwide. The company is made of 34 individual companies and makes up close to 42% of the health insurance market in the U.S., making them a dominant player in the health insurance industry.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans are available in all 50 U.S. states and are available in Washington D.C. However, be sure to research which Blue Cross Blue Shield companies are available in your area. Some of the most common BCBS plans are Anthem, Horizon, Florida Blue, and Highmark.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans in 2023
Medicare Supplement plans (also known as Medigap plans) are designed to help cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. As a Medicare beneficiary, when you use Original Medicare benefits, you are left with out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. While these costs may not sound like much, as you continue to use the benefits, your medical bills may begin to stack up and become overbearing. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans help alleviate these costs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers all twelve Medicare Supplement plans to their policyholders. However, not every plan may be available in every area.
| Medicare Supplement Plan A | Basic benefit Medigap plan |
| Medicare Supplement Plan B | Basic benefits plus coverage for Medicare Part A deductible |
| Medicare Supplement Plan C | Comprehensive coverage plan (first dollar coverage) |
| Medicare Supplement Plan D | Mid-cost plan that covers most medigap benefits |
| Medicare Supplement Plan F | Comprehensive coverage plan (first dollar coverage) |
| Medicare Supplement Plan G | Most comprehensive plan for new Medicare beneficiaries |
| Medicare Supplement Plan K | Low-cost Medigap plan, 50% coverage for most benefits |
| Medicare Supplement Plan L | Low-cost Medigap plan, 75% coverage for most benefits |
| Medicare Supplement Plan M | Covers most benefits, 50% coverage for Medicare Part A deductible |
| Medicare Supplement Plan N | Low premium plan with copays |
Keep in mind, Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan F are not available for new Medicare seniors through all carriers including Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you received Original Medicare after January 1, 2020, you are not eligible to enroll in either of these first-dollar coverage plans.
In states where standardized Medicare Supplement plans are not available, such as Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, BCBS still offers Medicare Supplement plans that are in line with the typical plan for that state.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Pros and Cons
The chart below reviews the pros and cons of Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans.
| Blue Cross Blue Shield Pros | Blue Cross Blue Shield Cons |
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan Costs
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan costs may vary depending on various factors. Medicare Supplement plan premiums depend on your age, tobacco-use status, ZIP Code, and gender. Yet, Blue Cross Blue Shield provides their plans differently depending on these factors. Medicare Supplement plan premiums can range from $70-$400 depending on the plan letter you decide to enroll in.
Additionally, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers several discounts for those who enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. These discounts include an automatic payment discount for allowing direct deposit, prepayment discount for paying the full year of premium costs at once, and a household discount for a spouse or household member who is also on a Blue Cross Blue Shield Megigap plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan Rate Increase
Every insurance company has an annual rate increase. This is a normal part of Medicare Supplement coverage. Although, Medicare Supplement rate increases are hard to predict and vary by state. This means that a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan N in Oklahoma will increase differently from the same plan in Maine.
On average, a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan rate increase is between 3%-7%. However, to avoid a large rate increase year over year, it is important to work with a licensed Medicare agent who has access to multiple plans and carriers. The agent can review all plans in your area. This can help you choose the best plan possible and help monitor price increases in the future. This way, you can stay on top of rate increases and avoid an unexpected premium hike.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan Rating
When it comes to carrier ratings AM Best is the standard for Medicare Supplement plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are available in the United States and in the Global Market. AM Best has declared that Blue Cross Blue Shield has an A+ rating.
This superior rating means Blue Cross Blue Shield has a superior ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations.
How to Compare Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Options in Your Area
When it comes to finding the right Medicare Supplement plan, it is important to compare all the options available to you whether that be a Medicare Supplement plan through BCBS or another carrier.
To connect with a licensed Medicare agent and receive your free Medicare Supplement plan comparison, complete our online rate form today.
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Sources:
MedicareFAQ is dedicated to providing you with authentic and trustworthy Medicare information. We have strict sourcing guidelines and work diligently to serve our readers with accurate and up-to-date content.
- Medigap, Blue Cross Blue Shield . Accessed May 2022.
https://www.bcbs.com/medicare/medigap - Medicare Coverage Options, Blue Cross Blue Shield . Accessed May 2022.
https://www.bcbs.com/medicare/coverage-options - Medicare Supplement Plan Options, Anthem . Accessed May 2022.
https://www.anthem.com/medicare/medicare-supplement-plans-medigap
What companies in my area { zip 49668, Wexford Co Michigan} offer zero premium Medicare Advantage Policies (Part A,B), and as well with such policy offer a Part B premium reduction, known as the “Part B premium pay-back”. Thank you for your response. I am currently a member of the BCBS Advantage HMO-POS plan.
Hi Joseph – you’ll need to speak to an agent to get that information. Feel free to call us at the number above; we help people with Medicare across the nation.
I contacted Medicare AmeriVantage,likely free food as vegetables and fruit expense & coverage additional with Free food card. I never heard of that until Yesterday. I contacted and set up. but I realized it is confused me lot of medicare. I asked them to sending me. I’m worried about find the wrong medicare agent? Sound strange about Fresh Vegetable and Fruit.
we are trying to get coverage for eliquis. The plan is senior blue.
Hi Dolores. Medicare Part D will cover Eliquis. I would check with your current plan’s drug formulary to see what your out-of-pocket costs would be.