Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage for 2011

Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the most widely recognized names in health care.  They are a huge provider of health coverage for a lot of group plans, and this helps them when it comes to their Medicare enrollments.  Unfortunately, the name doesn't always translate to coverage.  One important note is that BCBS is different from state to state.  They are completely separate entities, and operate independent of each other.  So BCBS of Alabama is completely separate from BCBS of Tennessee. 


Start be making sure you are looking at the correct plans for your state and county.  BCBS offers several types of Medicare Advantage  and Prescription Drug Pans depending on your location.  For example, in Alabama BCBS offers a PPO, PFFS, and a SNP while Arkansas only has a PFFS plan available.  Both California and Florida offer a Regional PPO.  A quick review of the Florida Regional PPO shows a premium of $63/month, co-pays of $50 for specialists, $300 a day for hospital stays, and a lovely $150 Part D Drug deductible!  Click here to see another well known company that has started including a deductible for their drug coverage.  These companies should be ashamed of themselves for this kind of robbery.  In this county alone there are three plans that have a zero premium, lower co-pays then those described above, and no deductible on the drug portion of the coverage!

So why would anyone sign up for this type of coverage?  Well, the answer is simple.  People have BCBS when they turn 65 so they migrate to their Medicare coverage, not taking the necessary time to research the best plans for them in their area.  The lesson here is to not always assume that a company with a well known name is going to always provide you with the best coverage.

AARP United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans 2011

The AARP United Healthcare plan is the same throughout Florida!  It is also known as AARP Medicare Complete Choice Plan 2.  Probably everybody has heard of United Healthcare as they are a national insurer that covers a lot of group plans as well as individuals.  Most people were probably covered by United Healthcare at some point in their life.  The AARP plan in Florida is a PPO, and is an outstanding value since it has NO monthly plan premium!!  For more info on PPO's versus HMO's click here.

It also contains medicare Part D coverage as well with no deductible and still no premium.  You will be responsible for paying the copays when you use the plan or fill prescriptions.  The plan also contains extras like dental coverage and the wildly popular Silver Sneakers program at no additional cost.  

Since it is United Healthcare providing the coverage, their provider directory is extensive.  Don't fret if you can't find your doctor in the directory as there is coverage for out of network use.  Simply pay the higher co-pay if needed. 

The plan is available in other states, but keep in mind that plans will differ from state to state and even county to county.  The plan also has something unique called the Passport Program.  This program allows you to travel to designated states and still be in-network.  This is a great feature for snowbirds or retirees that love to travel.  For more information on the plan in your area be sure to check medicare.gov or talk to an agent near you!

Humana Medicare Advantage Plans Have some UNPLEASANT Surprises in 2011!!

We've all seen the ads on tv for the Humana Medicare Advantage plans.  And they somehow make them sound so good.  However, a closer look leaves a not so pleasant aftertaste!  Shockingly, they are now including a Part D drug deductible in many of their plans.  While common in stand alone Part D plans, this has not been seen in MAPD or Medicare Advantage plans.  The deductible of up to $310 is found in several of their plans for 2011.  So not only are they charging high premiums for their plans, they are also now including a Part D drug deductible as well.  

Make sure you compare the plans in detail before signing up to avoid finding out after the fact that you now have a deductible to pay that wasn't there before.  For more information on comparing Medicare Advantage plans and the most recent Humana Reader's Digest Healthy Living plan check out my blog at www.medicare-plans.net

HMO VS PPO

There seems to be a lot of confusion out there regarding the different types of medicare plans available.  The majority of the plans are going to be either PPO or HMO. 


An HMO is a Health Maintenance Organization, and differs quite a bit from the PPO.  When you are comparing plans this year in 2011 make sure that you are comparing apples to apples.  HMO's are always going to be cheaper than PPO's, and there is a good reason for this.  HMO's are more restrictive than PPO's and are more difficult to use. 

Here are the primary two differences. 

HMO - Requires a referral from the PCP or Primary Care Physician
PPO - Does not require a referral from the PCP

HMO - You must pay 100% of the cost out of network
PPO - You have coverage out of network, but usually pay a higher amount when you are out of network

So, if you don't mind the referral hassle, you can save some money by going the HMO route.  If network is the most important thing to you, than you are probably better off on a PPO unless there is an HMO with an extensive network!  Be sure to check out my post Medicare Advantage Do's and Don'ts for more information on choosing a plan http://www.medicareupdate.info/2010/10/medicare-advantage-dos-and-donts.html