Alos Blog

BCBS offers three Blue Advantage plans, which are listed below from the most basic to the most advanced:

* Blue Medicare HMO – under this plan, beneficiaries are provided with a network of health care providers within which they must find care. There are no copayments for primary care physicians, and low copayments for specialists. Preventative care is free, and emergency coverage is available nationwide;
* Blue Medicare PPO – under this plan, beneficiaries have the freedom to either access the company’s network of health care providers or go outside of the network (though going outside the network incurs greater costs.) There are low copayments for primary care physicians and specialists, and monthly premiums are both predictable and affordable. The plan includes generic drug coverage at little-to-no cost and provides emergency nationwide coverage;
* Blue Medicare PFFS – under this plan, beneficiaries have no network requirements, and can see any doctor they choose for the same price. While primary care physician copayments are modest, specialist copayments can be more expensive. Beneficiaries can receive coverage at any facility in the United States which accepts Medicare, and there are no deductible payments. Prescription drug coverage is included, as well as free wellness exams.

The premiums for each of the above plans will vary by state, and premiums increase as beneficiaries move from the more basic to the more advanced plans.