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Free Independence Blue Cross Plan Information Kit

Take this journey and let us help you with Medicare decisions.

This site has the information you need to make the best Medicare insurance decisions. Healthcare needs can change over time, it’s important to take a good look at what’s out there. Because if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that having our health is everything.

Understand your 2024 Medicare Advantage plan options. Fill out the form below to request the FREE Independence Blue Cross Plan Information kit.

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By providing Independence Blue Cross (IBX) with your email address, you agree to allow IBX to contact you via email. You may opt out at any time.

By providing Independence with your phone number, you agree to allow Independence to contact you via telephone call and/or text message regarding the kit you requested. You may opt out at any time.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Medicare Advantage plans cover more services than Original Medicare.

Health Care Options Available

Navigating the health insurance landscape can be overwhelming. Sometimes, people make choices that aren’t right for them down the road. This section gives you details about the plans available, so you can understand the differences, features and benefits.

Medicare 101 — Facts About Options

Consider this your “one-stop shop” for Medicare education and comparisons between Original Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance — also called “Medigap” insurance — and Medicare Advantage plans. For a newcomer, it’s not easy to understand it all. Here, you’ll find what you need to know in one place.

Plan Overviews

Original Medicare

Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you want Part D (drug coverage), you can join a separate Medicare drug plan.

Medicare Advantage

Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage plans are all-in-one plans offered by private health insurers. These plans cover benefits from Parts A and B, as well as preventive care and other benefits that aren’t included with Original Medicare. Additional benefits vary, depending on your health insurer, and could include prescription drug coverage; vision, hearing and dental; gym memberships, meals, transportation and more.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap) do not provide full health coverage or replace Original Medicare. Instead, they are designed to “supplement” or help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs, or “gaps”, that your Medicare plan may not cover, such as: copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Plan Cost Comparison

Original Medicare

You pay the monthly Part B premium ($148.50) and the yearly Part B deductible ($203). After your deductible is met, you pay 20% of the cost of the Medicare-approved service. You will pay a Part A hospital deductible ($1,484), if hospitalized. You may also need to purchase a stand-alone prescription drug plan.

Medicare Advantage

Many Medicare Advantage Plans have a $0 premium. If you enroll in a plan that does charge a premium, you pay this in addition to the Part B premium ($148.50). Each plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs, such as physician copays. Prescription drug costs often are included.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

You pay the health insurer’s premium in addition to the monthly Part B premium ($148.50). Original Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amounts for services, then your Medigap policy will help cover the additional costs, such as copayments and deductibles. You will also need to purchase a stand-alone prescription drug plan.

DID YOU KNOW?

You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan during the annual enrollment period.

Questions to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

How do I know if I’m on the right plan?

Compare the things like doctors, if you travel and the prescriptions you take and look at all the benefits for each and decide if it’s time to switch to another plan. Plans change as do your health needs as you age.

Can I choose any doctor, and do I need a referral?

With Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans, you can go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S., and in most cases, you won’t need a referral to see a specialist. With a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to use doctors and other providers who are in the plan’s network and service area, for the lowest costs. So understanding the size of the network is important.

Some plans won’t cover services from providers outside the plan’s network and service area. Patients may also need to get a referral to see a specialist, however, there are Medicare Advantage plans that no longer require referrals.

How hard is it to switch from one plan to another, and when can I do it?

If you’re already in a Medicare Plan and want to switch plans, simply join the plan you choose during one of the enrollment periods. You’ll be disenrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan’s coverage begins. During the Annual Enrollment Period – October 15 – December 7 - you can join, switch, or drop a plan, which will become effective January 1 of the next year.

Am I covered if I travel?

If you frequently travel, it’s important to check the plan’s coverage. Some PPO plans offer a visitor/traveler benefit where you pay in-network cost-sharing when you visit participating providers in any geographic area where the benefit is offered. Many PPO and HMO plans offer emergency coverage when traveling worldwide. Some Medigap policies also provide coverage for travel abroad.

Are prescriptions covered by Original Medicare — and if they aren’t, what are other options?

No, prescriptions are not covered by Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans. You will have to find and apply for prescription drug coverage either through a stand along Part D Prescription Drug Plan (“PDP”) or through a Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription Drug coverage (“MAPD”). Medicare Advantage plans usually provide prescription drug coverage.

DID YOU KNOW?

Some Medicare Advantage plans can cost $0 per month and provide excellent coverage.

Take the Next Step:

Request a Kit

Understand your 2024 Medicare Advantage plan options. Fill out the form below or call 800-607-0902 (TTY:TDD:711) to request the Independence Blue Cross Plan Information kit.

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

How would you like to receive the kit? Email Mail

What type of phone number is this? Mobile Home

Address 1

Address 2

City

State

ZIP Code

Generate a new image

By providing Independence Blue Cross (IBX) with your email address, you agree to allow IBX to contact you via email. You may opt out at any time.

By providing Independence with your phone number, you agree to allow Independence to contact you via telephone call and/or text message regarding the kit you requested. You may opt out at any time.