What Is My Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Number

Your Guide to Understanding Medicare Under Blue Cross Blue Shield

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Medicare is a saving grace for many older Americans, but its limited options sometimes forces individuals to look for supplemental insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the insurers that steps in to fill in the gaps left by Medicare's programs. For many senior citizens, Medicare under Blue Cross Blue Shield is confusing. The following summary can help provide clarity and delineates the supplemental insurance BCBS provides in tandem with the federal program.

Original Medicare

What is sometimes referred to as Original Medicare is in fact two programs: Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A provides coverage in hospital and hospice settings, while Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient procedures, and multiple therapies, including occupational and speech therapy. These parts of Medicare are federally funded and managed by the government. The government automatically enrolls U.S. citizens in Medicare as they approach their 65th birthday if they receive social security benefits.

Medicare Part C with Blue Cross Blue Shield

Third party insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield step in when it comes to what is known as Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage. When you sign up for Medicare Advantage, you get all of the services available in Parts A and B, but also receive supplementary services such as vision care and hearing aids. Enrolling in Medicare Part C via an entity such as Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers cost savings as these plans lower cost sharing and limit out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Part C often also includes prescription coverage, also known as Medicare Part D.

HMO and PPO Options

In order to access Medicare Advantage via BCBS, you need to speak with a BCBS in your region. This is because the plans work on a regional level. There are usually two levels of insurance available: Medicare Advantage with an HMO option and Medicare Advantage with a PPO option. HMOs require that you stay within a select network of care providers out of certified facilities. A PPO gives you more flexibility but can cost more and allows you to select from a wider range of preferred providers.

Medigap with Blue Cross Blue Shield

Another supplementary option to consider is Medigap coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield, often referred to as Medicare Supplement Insurance. The differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage are confusing to some, since both programs serve to fill in gaps left by Original Medicare. Medigap offers more flexibility when it comes to provider choice. You can use it at any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare and do not need to worry about HMO or PPO limitations. Medicare Supplement plans are also often customizable so you can take on what coverage you want and dispense with unnecessary options.

Plans N and F

To make matters a bit more confusing, Medigap programs also come with letter names. Two of the most popular Medigap options are Plans N and F. Plan N involves limited cost sharing but requires that you meet the deductible under Part B of Original Medicare. Plan F is more expensive in that it is a high deductible plan, but once you meet that deductible you have no more out-of-pocket expenses in the calendar year. Plan F also fills in the most gaps left by Original Medicare, including therapies and vision care, key issues for many seniors.

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