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BlueCross BlueShield

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4.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: January 20th, 2022

BlueCross BlueShield is a well-known health insurer and offers health insurance in many states across the United States through subsidiaries. BlueCross BlueShield offers Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare supplement insurance plans.

Whether you are interested in Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage, or want to purchase a Medigap plan to supplement Original Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield offers plans to meet your needs.

Read BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Reviews

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The Good

  • Medicare Plans Offered
  • Plans Available in Many States
  • Online Resources

Medicare Plans Offered

BlueCross BlueShield offers Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, Prescription Drug (Part D) plans, and Medicare supplement insurance. Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in these plans through any insurer that carries these plans. 

Original Medicare only covers Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). You enroll in these plans through Social Security. Purchasing a prescription drug plan will provide coverage for your medications. Medicare supplement plans help pay for out-of-pocket expenses (coinsurance or copay) from Medicare Parts A and B.

Medicare Advantage plans cover the same services Original Medicare does. Most of these plans also have qualifying prescription drug coverage and out-of-pocket limits to help you control costs.

For more information on Medigap coverage, Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage and premium amounts, you should contact BlueCross BlueShield directly.

Plans Available in Many States

BlueCross BlueShield has several subsidiaries across the United States. Some of its subsidiary companies focus their services in a certain area. If you're not sure which BlueCross BlueShield branch serves your area, you can go through BlueCross BlueShield's website. The website will direct you to the service provider in your area after you input your zip code.

Online Resources

BlueCross BlueShield's website offers good information on how Medicare works and its parts. Medicare shoppers can learn from this information without pressure to purchase a plan through BlueCross BlueShield.

The BlueCross BlueShield website also allows visitors to view and compare Medicare plans online. This comparison tool can make it easier for people to find a Medicare plan that meets their needs. Medicare shoppers can also enroll in a plan online.

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The Bad

  • Limited Customer Insight
  • Plan Offerings May Vary or Change Year to Year

Limited Customer Insight

Best Company has not recieved many reviews for BlueCross BlueShield Medicare. Due to this lack of reviews, general conclusions about the Medicare customer experience and recommendations are not available.

Plan Offerings May Vary or Change Year to Year

Some Medicare Advantage plan specifics may vary depending on your location. They may also vary plan to plan. While there is some variability, Medicare Advantage plans offer both medical and hospital insurance. Prescription drug plans can change what medications are covered. Medicare Advantage plans can have network changes.

Medicare is run by the government, so as the government makes changes, some offerings may be discontinued or new offerings rolled out. It's a good idea to look out for how Medicare is changing and review your Annual Notice of Change letter.

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The Bottom Line

BlueCross BlueShield is worth exploring further when looking for a Medicare supplement insurance plan, prescription drug coverage, or a Medicare Advantage plan. 

As plan options may vary based on your location, work with BlueCross BlueShield directly to learn more about coverage options, benefits, monthly premium costs, and out-of-pocket expenses. 

As you evaluate plans, pay attention to what each plan covers and costs to find a plan that best meets your needs. If you've already enrolled in Medicare, pay attention to how your plan has changed to make sure you have coverage the meets your financial and medical needs.

While it's frustrating that information on BlueCross BlueShield's general Medicare coverage is limited, it's understandable because the insurance company has so many regional subsidiaries.

To determine whether BlueCross BlueShield Medicare coverage is a good fit for you, you'll need to check with the subsidiary in your area. You should also consider customer reviews for your BlueCross BlueShield subsidiary as you make your choice.

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Star Rating

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3.6

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23 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

39%

4 grade

22%

3 grade

17%

2 grade

4%

1 grade

17%

Sentiment Criteria

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Review Source

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roberto arcia Columbia, MO

I have been a BlueCross BlueShield medicare member for the past three years. I am very glad that I am using BlueCross BlueShield as they have various different healthcare options that are highly affordable. I will continue to use BlueCross BlueShield Medicare for as long as I can since they are such a cost-effective, yet highly coveraged health insurance.

3 years ago

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Ruth Puyallup, WA

I’ve had blue cross for 20 years. I have the high option I’ve never had a problem with them paying out any bills. I’ve always been able to go see specialists without referrals however they are my secondary behind Medicare and I found because I have Medicare I can’t bypass Medicare and use blue cross when a clinic doesn’t take Medicare it’s like why do I pay all that money and not be able to use it ? Called customer service they say that’s the rules. Lol males no sense wish I didn’t have other insurance. Be aware they have dropped dental you now have to buy separate policy. They are dropping numerous prescriptions off their allowable list. Changes often

4 years ago

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Molly Keogh Ogden, UT

The coverage that we had through BlueCross and BlueShield was great. It was nice to be able to go to the Dr when needed and not worry about cost. The timeliness of some of there explanation of benefits and paying of benefits was sometimes extremely slow.

4 years ago

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Steve Love

I have a medigap policy with Blue Cross. They are very good at paying claims and I have a lot of them. Sometimes they ar a little difficult to get a hold of but I rarely have to contact them which is a good thing!

4 years ago

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Glenn Dalton Salt Lake City, UT

my current provider. I have had a liver transplant, Heart surgery, liver cancer, Kidney issues and they have never balked once at paying the needed medical expenses. Great service with kind professional staff. The cost is minimal for the service you are entitled to .

2 years ago

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Basil48 ,

Have had coverage with BCBS for over 30 years. Excellent service and options. Medical part is exceptional. Dental and vision parts are adequate. BlueCross recognized everywhere, even overseas. In combo with MedicareIns coverage for all medical procedures is 99.9% paid by insurances.

4 years ago

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GrandpaRod Lehi, UT

I have Medicare and a Blue Cross Regence Supplement. I have enjoyed their service for over 40 years. I have called in a few times and they have an excelling caring staff who try to answer every question. I am glad I have a policy with Regence.

4 years ago

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Maureen Ponzi Zephyrhills, FL

Good hospital benefits and great we'll care. I must say, though, that every year premiums go up and benefits go down. Unfortunately, pensions and Medicare stay the same.

4 years ago

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Margaret Lynn Alsip, IL

Be aware of blue cross blue shield Medicare advantage. Bad news if you get sick. My dad had cellulitis in his leg and needed to go into a nursing home rehab. The plan was to keep him there for 30 days of rehab. After 12 days the insurance discharged him . He barely can walk, both feet are completely swollen where he can't get his shoes on and he lives alone most of the time. He's so weak. How can they do that? Horrible and dangerous. Oh, he will get a nurse and therapy once a week. Big deal. What about the rest of the hours in the week. So unfair. The doctor didn't release him, the insurance did. He's paying a nice premium every month. Be very careful.

5 years ago

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joseph E. Indio, CA

This is not an honorable company i had medicare. From 1/1/2016 to 5/24/2018 Blue Cross premiums were paid by a trustee in New York. I discovered on 5/24/2018, premiums still being paid, canceled policy , and was informed because another policy was paying my claims and not Blue Cross, I should expect a refund. Made complaint with DMHC. Finally received a check for $3,274.32 over payment $41,150 refund amount $3,274.32 they kept $37,875.68 for doing nothing SLEEZY

4 years ago

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Jackie Stein Worcester, MA

On the 5th page of their enrollment form in a final paragraph they state that they have contracted with Medicare & Medicare Services and are the risk-bearing entities for Blue MedicareRx (PDP) plans. The joint enterprise is a Medicare approved Part D Sponsor Enrollment in Blue MedicareRx (PDP) depends on the contract." By enrolling with them they automatically signed me up for Medicare Part D. I have no prescriptions but I am being billed $70. per month for Part D. I was told there was no way to cancel it because it came with the insurance.

4 years ago

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Marlene Coville Blakeslee, PA

This is our first experience with Medicare and a Medicare advance program it has been very eye-opening. I am learning a lot . Not bad for my first experience with Medicare advance.

2 years ago

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Ryan Larsen Logan, UT

BlueCross BlueShield is the insurance provider for my work. I feel like the service is fair and comprehensive for our area. The customer service is responsive to our concerns and billing is fair.

4 years ago

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Mark McKeown Raleigh, NC

Have a BCBS Medicare Advantage plan and it is expensive, the provider network is somewhat limited, and customer service is difficult to get. Their online app is great though. And it is recognized most everywhere

4 years ago

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Richard Baker Las Cruces, NM

long time customer 50 + yrs caring easy to communicate with if necessary. My Medicare supplement through former employer.

4 years ago

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MIN S REYNOLDS San Antonio, TX

it was not a bad experience when needing assistance from them. I just think that the benefits could be a bit better.

4 years ago

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Steven Klaproth Phoenix, AZ

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers an excellent variety of supplemental Medicare products with outstanding customer service.

3 years ago

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David T Draper, UT

I didn't love the lack of choices in doctors with BlueCross. Their customer service wasn't that great either, they didn't seem understanding or sympathetic to me.

4 years ago

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Steph H Boise, ID

I ve had to have discussions with them re tests they would not cover from my medicare annual visit..

5 years ago

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Cynthia DeGrey ,

They currently provide my Medicare supplemental coverage and provide good coverage

3 years ago

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Joannetta Jarman Secaucus, NJ

A dependable company that you can usually count on someone taking their insurance and it covering a fair portion.

3 years ago

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marco Munford, TN

Always confusing the website needs updating very confusing to check who is in your network. Not very easy for a new person doing insurance for the first time.

4 years ago

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Camille Lynnwood, WA

Do not like. They don’t set regulated amounts for doctors to bill so you end up paying all over the spectrum.

4 years ago