BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans 2021

Blue Cross Blue Shield System is one of the popular insurers that offer Medicare Advantage plans in the US. It is composed of 36 companies that operate independently. The BCBS Medicare Advantage plans for 2021 include a network of healthcare providers, drug stores, and facilities. If you are considering one of these plans, there are things you must take into account.

Before you can sign up for one of these plans, you must have an active Original Medicare first. Keep in mind that you can only sign up for these plans during a certain period of the year. Furthermore, each plan has its own benefits and level of advantages. Thus, it is ideal that you study all your options before making a final decision.

BCBS is a licensed Medicare Advantage plan. As a member, you can access your Part A and Part B plans from BCBS. Apart from the benefits of Original Medicare, the Advantage plans have other benefits. These additional benefits can help in reducing co-payments.

The Blue Advantage plan includes coverage for the health center, medical and prescription drugs. This type of plan can easily put several plans into one policy. As a result, you will have an inexpensive regular monthly premium. Blue Advantage is known to offer comfort and assurance with one extensive plan, i.e. BCBS Medicare Advantage.

Since different people have different requirements, Blue Cross Blue Shield provides an option. The Total plan, for instance, is an option that entails inexpensive monthly cost. The Blue Advantage Premier, on the other hand, has richer benefits.

One of the reasons many seniors are opting for Blue Advantage is that the cost-savings you can get on inpatient hospital services and doctor’s office visits.

BCBS is one of the insurers in the US with a huge network of healthcare facilities and doctors. In that case, it will be easy for you to find a network facility near your home. As a rule, though, BCBS Advantage plan has to include Initial Medicare benefits. It means that hospice treatment is still part of your policy. No matter what MA plan you pick, you will be covered for urgently needed medical service and emergency treatment.

Your plan, however, has the option not to cover the medical expenses that are not regarded as essential under Medicare. If you are not sure, though, talk to your physician or contact BCBS before undergoing such treatment.

Some Medicare Advantage plans can give you extra protection, such as oral and vision, as well as hearing, health, and wellness programs. Most of the plan includes prescription drug or Part D.

Any MA plan has a premium and you need to pay for it every month. Apart from that, you also have to settle the Part B premium. The basic premium for Part B could go around $134. But it could go up or down depending on your overall income. Some people with Social Security benefits will get to pay less.

On the other hand, if you undergo a medical treatment that your policy does not consider as clinically necessary, then you will have to pay the entire expenses related to the said treatment.

You may also request a written advance coverage option for ensuring that the said service is medically necessary so it will be covered. Failure to request an advance coverage choice, then you will pay for the service that you think is medically necessary.

BCBS offers an HMO Medicare Advantage plan. It is a common choice among many insurers. This type of plan requires that you seek healthcare providers, healthcare facilities and doctors within the plan’s network. However, in emergency and immediate circumstances, you can undergo treatment outside your insurer’s network and your insurer will pay a portion of the expenses. But you must prove that the service was an emergency.

In addition to HMO, BCBS also offers a point-of-service plan. It enables recipients to get treatment from the out-of-network facility. But the cost is greater than the regular HMO.

PPO is another option under BCBS Medicare Advantage. With this plan, you do not have to choose a primary care physician. It also does not require a referral before seeking a specialist. However, the price is greater than the HMO.

Between HMO and PPO, the former is cheaper than the latter. However, the flexibility of PPO plans is one of the reasons many seniors are choosing it over the HMO, even though it is more expensive. Keep in mind though, that HMO may still pay you after undergoing treatment from the out-of-network facility. It only happens during an emergency circumstance.

HMO requires that you choose a primary care doctor. And this doctor will require you to see a specialist. But some yearly screening examinations do not need any referral from your PCP.

After you have chosen a PCP, you can go to that physician each time you need medical treatment or advice. If your doctor gets out of the network of providers, you will be notified. You can either change insurer and opt for a plan that includes your preferred doctor or you can just choose another physician.

It is a type of plan that gives you more managed-care option. BCBS MA PPO is ideal if you want flexibility when it comes to finding a healthcare provider. With this plan, your out-of-pocket expenses will be reduced significantly. If you utilized medical facilities and doctors who along to your provider’s network, then your overall healthcare expenses are reduced. But you can utilize out-of-network providers. However, expect the expenses to be higher.

You can also choose to incorporate a Medicare prescription drug plan to your PPO policy. It is a recommended policy if you take several medicines per year.

In terms of monthly cost, though, PPO is way more expensive than HMO. Then again, it is more flexible than HMO, making it an ideal choice for many seniors who live far away from network facilities.

If you want to find out more about the BCBS Medicare Advantage plan, please click the link below.