Choose a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to cover copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other expenses not covered by Medicare.
INFORMATION
Choose a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to cover copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, and other expenses not covered by Medicare.
Add a prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D) to help pay for your medications.
Or replace original Medicare with a comprehensive Medicare Advantage plan (Parts C and D), often at no additional cost.
| Original Medicare | Add a Medicare Supplement plan | Add a prescription drug plan (Part D) | |
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| Visit your local Social Security office to enroll | See plans | See plans | |
Hospital (Part A) |
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Doctor visits (Part B) |
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Minimize out-of-pocket medical expenses |
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Prescription drugs |
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| Go to any doctor or US facility that accepts Medicare |
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Vision, dental, and hearing |
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Your initial eligibility window for Medicare opens 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday. It extends 3 months after your birthday.
It's important not to delay. There can be financial penalties.
If you were affected by 2020 California wildfires, you may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare plan through 1/31/21. If you have questions, please call to see if you qualify.
When you enroll in a Blue Shield of California Medicare Advantage – Prescription Drug plan, your coverage provides a mail service benefit that offers cost savings and the convenience of home delivery. This benefit is not initially available with Medicare Supplement plans, but you can add it to your plan later.
Once your plan year begins, you will have access to this benefit. For more information visit our Pharmacy network page.
Start on our Resources page, which has useful links to features, benefits, and plan documents. If you’re already a Blue Shield member, log into your account for personalized information on your benefits.
Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare benefits, which you have contributed to in the form of payroll taxes. When you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you transfer your benefit to an insurer like Blue Shield of California. So we are reimbursed by the government and use that payment for your coverage with in-network providers.
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