What are my Medicare options?

Original Medicare offers basic hospital and medical insurance coverage. But you may find that it does not cover all the services and supplies you need. For instance, it doesn’t cover prescription costs, physical exams, hearing aids, or routine eye care. The good news is you have options to add to your coverage.   

Medicare Supplement plans

A Medicare Supplement plan (or Medigap) can help pay for some of the costs not covered by Original Medicare. Example of costs are copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

We offer five types of Medicare Supplement plans. Each plan lets you choose any doctor, hospital, and healthcare provider that accepts Medicare.

Certain situations qualify you for guaranteed acceptance in a Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plan. Please read our Guaranteed Acceptance guide to determine if you qualify.

Guaranteed Acceptance guide (English, PDF, 225 KB)
Guaranteed Acceptance guide (Spanish, PDF, 222 KB)
Guaranteed Acceptance guide (Chinese, PDF, 315 KB)
Guaranteed Acceptance guide (Vietnamese, PDF, 326 KB) 

Medicare Prescription Drug plans (Part D)

Medicare Supplement plans do not cover prescription drugs. However, you do have options available. You can add coverage for prescription drugs by enrolling in a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Be sure to check that the plan you choose covers your prescriptions.
 

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans

A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan is a Part C plan that replaces Original Medicare and often includes prescription drug coverage. The plan offers:

• Original Medicare benefits (hospital and medical insurance)
• Prescription drug coverage
• Other benefits not covered by Medicare such as an allowance for eyeglasses, frames, and contacts

Many Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans have no monthly plan premiums and no Part D deductibles. Most require a copayment only when you receive a covered service or drug. However, some plans have annual limits.

Other less common types of Medicare Advantage Plans include:

• Medicare Advantage HMOs without Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
• Medicare Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
• Medicare private fee-for-service plans
• Medicare special needs plans

You can find more information on these types of plans at medicare.gov.
 

Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNP)

A Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan that covers Medicare Part C and Part D benefits but also coordinates Medi-Cal programs and services. 

You must be eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal and you will have no premiums, deductibles, copayments, or coinsurances for covered services.