Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
BCBS is an association of 34 different companies that provide Medigap plans across the U.S.
(855) 935-1973
SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
(855) 935-1973
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers all 10 available Medigap plans and supports millions of older adults across the country. Depending on where you live, you may even have access to additional benefits like hearing aid coverage or dental insurance.
Our experts spent 50 hours reviewing BCBS Medigap plans, speaking with customer service, and comparing the carrier to our top Medigap picks. In this review, we’ll get into everything you need to know about BCBS Medigap plans, including plans and benefits, cost, and how to purchase a plan.
The Pros and Cons of Blue Cross Blue Shield
Pros About Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Re-enrollment every year is automatic.
- Get quotes instantly online.
- Some plans offer membership to SilverSneakers.
- Premium discounts are often available for households, nonsmokers, and those with low cholesterol levels.
- Add-on hearing, vision, prescription, and dental plans may be available.
- Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Availability of a 24/7 nurse line
- Health and wellness discounts via Blue365
Cons About Blue Cross Blue Shield
- It is not available for all ZIP codes.
- Customer service varies from state to state.
What You Need to Know Upfront About Blue Cross Blue Shield
Unlike other insurance companies we’ve reviewed, such as Aetna, BCBS isn’t a single company. It’s actually an umbrella term for an association of 33 independently operated BCBS companies. Here’s where it can get confusing: Many of these companies go by a different name.
Some of these names include:
- Highmark Blue Shield
- Capital BlueCross
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- Independence Blue Cross
- Florida Blue
If you decide to give BCBS a serious look, you will need to find the local company that provides coverage to your ZIP code. Below, we’ll explain exactly how to do that. Depending on where you live, you might end up with more than one option to compare.
Overview of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medigap Plans
Like Humana and Colonial Penn, BCBS, as a whole, provides all 10 Medicare plans. Not every individual BCBS company offers every plan, though. You’ll need to check with your local carrier to see which plans are available to you.
Here’s a brief look at the main benefits and what each plan offers.
| Benefits | A | B | C* | D | F* | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| First 3 pints of blood | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | Yes |
| Medicare Part B deductible | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Medically necessary emergency care in a foreign country | No | No | No | 80% | No | 80% | No | No | No | 80% |
*Plans C and F are available only to people who became eligible for Medicare coverage before 2020.
Did You Know? All 10 Medigap plans are standardized. This means that all companies that offer the plans provide the same basic level of coverage — no matter the company used.
Which Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap Plan Is Right for Me?
BCBS is best for older adults who value strong brand reputation and access to a broad network. Now that you’ve learned a bit about each type of plan, let’s figure out which one is right for you. Our outline below will help you better understand which plan might work best for you or your spouse.
Seniors with limited funds who don’t go to the doctors as often
Do you rarely visit the doctor? Are you active and healthy? Then you may not need as much supplemental coverage as others. Plan N could be a good option for you, given its low premium. Just know that you’ll owe a $20 copay for each office visit and a $50 copay for ER visits.
Seniors with a chronic illness, frequent appointments, or needed surgeries
If you know that you’ll be regularly attending doctor’s appointments, scheduling surgeries, or visiting specialists, a Plan G high-deductible option may be a good fit. In 2024, Plan G has a $2,800 deductible. In other words, after you pay $2,800 in out-of-pocket costs, the plan kicks in to help pay your out-of-pocket Medicare costs.
Pro Tip: Plans A through G have higher premiums with limited out-of-pocket costs. Plans K through N give you similar benefits at lower premiums, but you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs. For the most popular Medigap plan, Plan G, you will pay between $100 to $150 per month when you sign up at age 65.1
Seniors who love to travel
International travel is a popular way to spend your retirement years. Any older adult with the travel bug should consider plans C, D, F, G, M, or N. Having 80 percent of qualifying emergency care costs covered will lessen the financial blow if you experience a medical emergency while traveling abroad.
Seniors who want basic coverage and lower premiums
BCBS’ Medigap Plans A and B take care of your copayments and coinsurance from Original Medicare Part A and Part B. This can make the cost of routine appointments, home health care, hospice care, and hospital stays more predictable and affordable. And, with these plans, you’re not paying for coverage you won’t use. Of course, that could mean you’ll face a few unexpected expenses.
How Much Do Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap Plans Cost?
All BCBS Medigap plans have associated costs. These can include deductibles, premiums, copays, and coinsurance. Your premium is what you’d owe every month while you hold the policy, so it’s something you’ll want to factor into your monthly budget.
For comparison, the average monthly premium for Medigap policyholders was $217 in 2023, or $2,604 for a whole year of coverage.2 In the table below, we’ve provided example prices for a 65-year-old nonsmoking male with four independent BCBS companies. Your actual premium will vary based on your ZIP code, age, sex, and tobacco use. So, the numbers below should only be used as examples to give you a general idea.
| Plan | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (Beaverhead, MT) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (Dallas, TX) | Florida Blue (Palm Beach, FL)* | Blue Shield of California (Los Angeles, CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | $140.31 | $264 | $271.80 | $125 |
| B | N/A | N/A | $322.90 | N/A |
| C | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| D | N/A | N/A | $345.10 | N/A |
| F | $196.96 | $218.69 | N/A | N/A |
| High-Deductible Plan F | $72.50 | $64.97 | N/A | N/A |
| G | $149.14 | $157.18 | $332.40 | $171.46 |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $89.41 | $60.18 | N/A | N/A |
| K | N/A | N/A | $108.50 | N/A |
| L | N/A | N/A | $217 | N/A |
| M | N/A | N/A | $319.90 | N/A |
| N | $138.37 | $127.89 | $274 | $168 |
*Estimated premiums for a nonsmoking male born February 15, 1959.
How to Buy a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap Policy
We suggest purchasing your Medigap policy as soon as you’re eligible. That way, you have access to all of the plans and the best prices. When exactly does that eligibility start? Well, there’s a six-month Medigap open enrollment period. It begins on the first day of the month during which you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
If that time has already passed for you, don’t worry! You aren’t out of luck. You can still buy a Medigap policy after the enrollment period ends. You just might have limited policy options because the insurance company will use medical underwriting.
Now, let’s walk through how to find your BCBS carrier and sign up.
- Visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap website to get started. Once there, you need to enter your ZIP code into the search bar on the right side of the screen and then click “Find Coverage.”
- Next, a window will pop up to let you know if Blue Cross Blue Shield provides coverage to your location. If BCBS offers coverage in your area, you will see a list of one or more independent BCBS carriers.
- Choose one of the carriers listed to start your search for a policy that meets your needs and budget. Clicking on the name will take you to their Medicare Supplement Policy page, where you can learn more.
- Follow the instructions on the company's website to learn about their policy offerings, benefits, and plan costs. Each BCBS company operates its website independently, but from what we saw during our research, the sites are very easy to navigate.If you get stuck, try to locate a customer service number on the insurance carrier's website. Check the top and bottom of the page. For example, the Anthem page lists a number in the top corner of its site.
- Before you buy, we also recommend calling and comparing costs with other insurance carriers. Medigap plans offer the same coverage whether you purchase Plan A from BCBS or another carrier like Humana. The biggest difference is the cost and any benefits like wellness discounts or access to vision or dental insurance.
Money-Saving Tip: Medigap supplemental insurance rates can increase during your time as a policyholder. Call each carrier you’re interested in, and ask the agent to explain the pricing system. A plan that’s slightly more expensive for the first few years could be cheaper in the long term after you factor in rate increases.
>> Further Reading: Blue Cross Blue Shield and Senior Care Coverage
Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. the Competition
Before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to weigh your options and do a little comparison shopping. Here’s how BCBS stands against the competition:
BCBS vs. Humana
Humana offers eight Medigap plans, while BCBS offers all 10 plans. However, the latter operates as a network of smaller companies. BCBS has nationwide availability, so you’re sure to find at least one BCBS carrier in your location. But, offerings and experiences can vary widely. Humana offers a small discount for online-only enrollment, a free SilverSneakers fitness program, and 24/7 customer service. Read our review of Humana’s Medigap plans to learn more.
Did You Know? Almost 90 percent of people in traditional Medicare had some form of additional coverage, such as Medigap (42 percent), in 2022.3
BCBS vs. UnitedHealthcare
With eight plans to choose from, UnitedHealthcare does not offer as many plans as BCBS. However, they service all of the U.S., including Washington, D.C. Their plans with health and wellness discounts may require an extra fee. UnitedHealthcare also offers discounts for households and electronic payments. Check out our 2025 UnitedHealthcare Medigap review for more details.
BCBS vs. Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha has a household discount of up to 12 percent, which is among the highest compared to competitors. But, they only offer four plans compared to BCBS’s 10 plans. BCBS is available in every state, while Mutual of Omaha is available in every state except Massachusetts. Mutual of Omaha also offers prescription drug and dental options. Visit our latest Mutual of Omaha Medigap review for more information.
Our Methodology
Our expert team spent 50 hours thoroughly assessing BCBS Medigap plans. We evaluated crucial aspects, including plan affordability, coverage benefits, and customer support performance. We also went over carrier reliability, added perks, and user experiences, among other important factors. Here are the primary criteria that shaped our review.
- Cost and premiums: We examined monthly premiums for each plan, including out-of-pocket costs like copayments and deductibles. We also determined the way in which premiums are calculated (such as attained-age rated, etc).
- Renewal guarantees: We confirmed whether the plan guarantees renewability assuming premiums are paid.
- Availability by state: We looked at the number of states covered, the number plans offered by BCBS compared to other insurance carriers, and if there are any state specific rules or requirements.
- Customer service and reputation: We looked at BCBS’s reputation as an insurance company, their ratings, customer support modes of contact and availability, and customer complaints.
Final Thoughts on Blue Cross Blue Shield
BCBS is unique because it’s made up of 33 independent insurance companies. Although that means it may take a few extra steps to find your carrier, it also means you get the best of both worlds: the more personalized service of a smaller insurance company with the support and resources of a large one. We also love that many BCBS companies offer add-on benefits for older adults, like coverage for dental care, vision, and hearing exams and services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Cross Blue Shield
-
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield a government agency?
No, BCBS is not a government agency. However, BCBS is a Medicare contractor for the federal government.
-
Where are Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap policies accepted?
In most cases, Medigap coverage through BCBS is accepted anywhere that accepts Medicare.
-
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover hearing aids?
Some Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer add-on plans that cover routine hearing exams and hearing aid purchases through TruHearing. Program availability depends on your location and the individual BCBS company that you choose to work with.
-
Do I need supplemental insurance if I have Medicare?
Supplemental insurance is optional for seniors who have Medicare Part A and Part B. However, it can help you save big bucks on your medical costs that you otherwise might not be able to afford.
BCBS. (2024). About Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Seattle Times. (2024). Do I really need supplemental insurance with Medicare?
KFF. (2024). Key Facts About Medigap Enrollment and Premiums for Medicare Beneficiaries.
KFF. (2024). A Snapshot of Sources of Coverage Among Medicare Beneficiaries.