Blue Medicare PPO
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans
At some point in your life, you may have had insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Whether you had an individual or employer group plan, you probably formed some opinion about the company. If your experience was good and you are Medicare eligible, you may want to check out the Blue Medicare PPO Advantage Plan.
A Medicare Advantage Plan is not Medigap insurance. If you are new to Medicare, you may want to check out the official Medicare website or review your Medicare and You handbook that is mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries.
You can also complete the web form on this page to receive your free mini-course on Medicare Advantage plans.
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Blue Medicare PPO may be an option in your service area
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers several Medicare Advantage Plans, but I wanted to take a look at one popular plan available in Florida. If you are a fan of Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Blue Medicare PPO Advantage Plan may meet your needs.
Of course as the name implies, it’s a PPO. So you have a provider network. But, the good news is that Blue Cross Blue Shield typically has superior network coverage, and the Blue Medicare PPO is no exception.
The following are some of the plan’s features for in network service:
- Maximum annual in-network out of pocket expense is $6700.
- Primary care doctor visit is a $15 co-pay.
- A specialist co-pay is $50.
- Hospital out-patient procedures require up to a $150 co-pay.
- $225 co-pay per day for days 1-7 in-patient hospital stay.
This is merely a brief overview of in-patient plan benefits and you should consult an agent or review the Summary of Benefits for the Blue Medicare PPO Advantage Plan.
One strong point is the co-pay for in-network out-patient procedures. Many Medicare Advantage Plans provide the same 80% coverage as original Medicare. The Blue Medicare PPO offers a decent value in this area, given that so much is provided in an out-patient setting.
The plan includes Part D drug coverage, but requires an annual Part D deductible of $150. Check the plan’s Summary of Benefits to get complete information on benefits and costs.
So maybe you like the plan. Now you have to reconcile the benefits with the monthly premium. In Escambia County Florida, the monthly premium for Blue Medicare PPO is $150 for the 2011 plan.
To compare plan premiums in your area check out the official Medicare site and enter you State and County to search for Blue Medicare PPO or other Medicare Advantage Plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield
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Comments
Joan, Sign up for the free mini-course on Medicare Advantage plans on the home page of this site, it will help you sort out the differences between a Medicare supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan. Getting to your question about saving money… With an Advantage plan you do have the option to save money on the monthly premium if you choose the right plan. But depending on your usage and the plan chosen, you could find yourself with medical expenses rivaling the Medicare supplement premium.
Since you have and understand a supplement, maybe you should get some specific Advantage plan information so you can compare benefits. AARP Medicare Complete often offers a plan with a $0/month premium. Or if you still have a relationship with the Blue Cross Blue Shield agent who sold you the supplement, you could contact him or her and ask about 2011 Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans in Oklahoma.
I have requested twice that you fax me at the letter that terminates my coverage effective 12-31-10 because BCBS is no longer offering the program. My new carrier needs this letter asap
Thanks,
Gerald, This site is neither owned or operated by BCBS. You might try contacting your agent to help you receive the information you seek.
We spend about 6 months of the year at our second home in a different county of our state (CA). We want to have coverage in both counties(not just emergency). We had Blue Cross PPO all of last year which was cancelled. Is another one available?
Diana, Medicare advantage plans vary depending on the service area. Visit medicare.gov to search for plans in your area. here is an article on navigating medicare.gov to find available plans.
I am trying to understand the advantage plan. I currently have Medicare, OK Blue Cross/ Blue Shield (supplement) Well care Plan D. All of this is getting very expensive, Is there some way I can save money and still have good coverage. I am 79 and my husband will be 80 in Feb.
Please help if you can.Thanks