at a glance
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Medigap plans in all 50 states.
  • While Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a wide variety of plans, not every plan may be sold in your state or county.
  • Each type of Medigap plan is standardized, meaning it must offer the same basic level of coverage.
  • The costs of Medigap plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield can depend on things like your location, age, and the type of plan you choose.

Medicare supplement insurance plans help pay for some of your Medicare costs that typically come out of pocket, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. You may also see this type of insurance referred to as Medigap.

Many private insurance companies sell Medigap plans. One of these companies is Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS offers a wide variety of Medicare plans, including Medicare Advantage and Medigap options.

Keep reading to learn more about the different types of Medigap plans that BCBS offers in 2021, how much they cost, and what each plan covers.

Let's compare what's included in the different Medigap plans offered by BCBS. The chart below shows the percentage of each benefit that's covered by each plan.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap plan extra benefits

On top of the standard coverage that comes with all Medigap plans, some of Blue Cross's plans offers additional benefits, which may include:

  • coverage for preventive and restorative dental care
  • coverage for routine eye exams and an allowance for glasses or contact lenses
  • coverage for routine hearing exams and hearing aids through TruHearing
  • SilverSneakers membership
  • access to a 24/7 nurse line
  • health and wellness discounts through Blue365

Next, let's take a look at each of the Medigap plans offered by BCBS.

  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan A. Plan A is the most basic type of Medigap plan. It focuses on covering some of the copays and coinsurance associated with Medicare Part A and Part B.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan B. Plan B includes the same coverage as Plan A, along with coverage of the Medicare Part A deductible.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan C. Plan C is more inclusive than plans A and B. It covers the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance associated with Medicare parts A and B, as well as foreign travel emergency care. If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can buy this plan.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan D. Plan D covers coinsurance and copays associated with Medicare parts A and B. It also covers the Medicare Part A deductible and foreign travel emergencies.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan F. Plan F is the most inclusive Medigap plan. It covers everything that Plan C covers and also covers excess charges associated with Medicare Part B. You must also have been eligible for Medicare prior to 2020 to buy this plan.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan G. Plan G covers everything that Plan F covers except the Medicare Part B deductible. If you're new to Medicare in 2020 and would like a very inclusive Medigap plan, Plan G might be a good option.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan K. Plan K covers copays and coinsurance for Medicare parts A and B as well as the Medicare Part A deductible. It's important to note that, unlike many Medigap plans, coverage for many of these costs is only partial. Plan K also has an out-of-pocket limit.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan L. Plan L offers similar coverage to Plan K. However, the partial coverage is a little more robust. Like Plan K, Plan L also has a yearly out-of-pocket limit.
  • BCBS Medicare Supplement Plan N. Plan N covers the copays and coinsurance for Medicare Parts A and B. It also covers the Medicare Part A deductible and foreign travel emergencies.

There are some costs associated with Medigap plans, including BCBS plans. These costs may vary by the specific plan and your location. These costs can include:

  • Monthly premium. Every Medigap plan has a monthly premium. Companies can have a standard monthly premium or set their premiums based on your current age or the age at which you purchased your plan.
  • Deductible. Some Medigap plans don't cover deductibles for Part A, Part B, or both. Additionally, high-deductible Plan F and Plan G have their own deductible of $2,370 that must be met before they start covering costs.
  • Copays and coinsurance. Some Medigap plans don't cover every type of copay or coinsurance associated with Medicare parts A and B.
  • Out-of-pocket costs. You'll be responsible for paying any costs for services that aren't covered by original Medicare or your Medigap plan. Plan K and Plan L have out-of-pocket limits of $6,220 and $3,110, respectively. After you meet these limits, your plan pays for 100 percent of covered costs.

Now, let's compare the monthly premium cost ranges of different Medigap plans offered by BCBS in a few different cities across the country.

Medigap is supplemental insurance that helps people with original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pay for costs that aren't normally covered. An estimated 25 percent of people with original Medicare also have a Medigap plan.

There are 10 different Medigap plans. However, these plans are standardized. This means that each plan must offer the same basic level of coverage, regardless of which company is offering it.

Medigap plans are specific to your location, so it's possible that some plans may not be offered in your state or county. Some states also standardize their plans differently, including Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

If you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you cannot purchase a Medigap plan. However, Medigap plans can be used along with Medicare Part D plans, as long as the Medigap plan isn't an older plan that also includes prescription drug coverage.

BCBS sells Medigap plans in every state. While BCBS offers many of the 10 types of Medigap plan, some plans may not be available in your location.

All Medigap plans, including those offered by BCBS, are standardized. This means that they must include the same basic amount of coverage, regardless of the company that's selling it.

The cost of a Medigap plan can depend on factors like the type of plan you select, your location, and how a company sets their monthly premiums.

Because of this, it's always important to compare different Medigap plans before deciding on one.