BCBS MA Blue PPO

[MrEven]

Does anyone have experience with this plan? I'm under 65 and have been on Medicare for a few years and have been paying for a Medi-Gap supplemental policy. I am very happy with this policy but it doesn't have an Rx plan and I also do not get the added benefits of Medicare Advantage (dental, vision, hearing) as I am not over 65 and they are allowed to deny me those benefits until I am 65. The Advantage plan would include it but I am worried about cost. I have a lot of doctors around the country and I don't want to end up paying a ton more because of networks and authorizations.

/ranting

 

[mattspits]

Does anyone have experience with this plan? I'm under 65 and have been on Medicare for a few years and have been paying for a Medi-Gap supplemental policy. I am very happy with this policy but it doesn't have an Rx plan and I also do not get the added benefits of Medicare Advantage (dental, vision, hearing) as I am not over 65 and they are allowed to deny me those benefits until I am 65. The Advantage plan would include it but I am worried about cost. I have a lot of doctors around the country and I don't want to end up paying a ton more because of networks and authorizations.

/ranting

Hello,

A couple of things going on here. Since you don't have drug coverage, you will likely pay a penalty when you do sign up for coverage that includes drugs. Also, you are paying about double the premium on your supp because you are under 65. The nice thing about the supp is it is good for any doc that takes medicare. The BCBS plan is a ppo so that will help you versus an HMO. BCBS does have a national network. You will want to check and see if your providers are in-network for the plan. I would not enroll in a plan just for the dental, vision, and hearing benefits. They are generally very limited, if present at all. You will pay copays when you use the plan versus not paying anything if you have a plan F med supp. I will try to do a review of that plan on my blog today.
Here is a link to the site to look up your docs.

 

[mattspits]

Does anyone have experience with this plan? I'm under 65 and have been on Medicare for a few years and have been paying for a Medi-Gap supplemental policy. I am very happy with this policy but it doesn't have an Rx plan and I also do not get the added benefits of Medicare Advantage (dental, vision, hearing) as I am not over 65 and they are allowed to deny me those benefits until I am 65. The Advantage plan would include it but I am worried about cost. I have a lot of doctors around the country and I don't want to end up paying a ton more because of networks and authorizations.

/ranting

Hello,

A couple of things going on here. Since you don't have drug coverage, you will likely pay a penalty when you do sign up for coverage that includes drugs. Also, you are paying about double the premium on your supp because you are under 65. The nice thing about the supp is it is good for any doc that takes medicare. The BCBS plan is a ppo so that will help you versus an HMO. BCBS does have a national network. You will want to check and see if your providers are in-network for the plan. I would not enroll in a plan just for the dental, vision, and hearing benefits. They are generally very limited, if present at all. You will pay copays when you use the plan versus not paying anything if you have a plan F med supp. I will try to do a review of that plan on my blog today.
Here is a link to the site to look up your docs.