Editor's Rating
You can buy any Medigap plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Thirty-four different companies make up BCBS. That means prices and services vary considerably from affiliate to affiliate and from region to region. Blue Cross Blue Shield writes a quarter of all Medigap policies in the United States, making it one of the top providers nationwide.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap policies: Our thoughts
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a good option for people who want above-average coverage and customer service across the board for average rates. However, prices and service quality will vary somewhat depending on where you live because Blue Cross has 34 affiliate companies. Those include insurance giants like Anthem, which was recently renamed Elevance Health.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Number of BCBS companies: 34
- Large BCBS affiliates: Anthem, CareFirst, Highmark and GuideWell
- Percentage of Medigap market: 27%
- Financial strength: AM Best rating B++ (Good) to A+ (Superior)
- Quality of care: 3.5/5 (NCQA ratings)
You should consider Blue Cross Blue Shield for Medigap if you already have a BCBS Medicare Part D plan or if a family member already has a BCBS policy since it offers multipolicy and household discounts.
Blue Cross Blue Shield stands out for its Blue-to-Blue benefit. This lets you change your Medigap plan at certain times of the year without having to go through an evaluation of your health called medical underwriting, which could result in higher rates or denied coverage. This means you can sign up for a cheap plan that offers minimal coverage when you're 65, and change to a more comprehensive plan when you're older and need higher levels of care.
How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield cost?
Blue Cross Blue Shield has rates that are around average for most plan options. The most popular choices, Plans F and G, cost an average of $192 and $145 a month, respectively.
Plan | BCBS monthly cost | National average |
|---|---|---|
| Plan F | $192 | $186 |
| Plan G | $145 | $152 |
| Plan N | $134 | $118 |
| Plan K | $85 | $85 |
A few plans stand out for being noticeably cheaper or more expensive than average. For example, BCBS's high-deductible Plan F is 66% more expensive than the national average, while its Plan L is almost 30% cheaper.
Blue Cross Blue Shield rates vs. major competitors
Blue Cross Blue Shield is cheaper than many major Medicare Supplement plan providers. The company's average rates for the popular Plan G option are lower than rates from Cigna, Mutual of Omaha and AARP/UnitedHealthcare.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
While Cigna offers slightly cheaper Plan F options, its poor customer service track record makes Blue Cross Blue Shield a better choice. If service is more important than cost to you, consider Mutual of Omaha. Keep in mind that Mutual of Omaha offers fewer Medigap plan options than BCBS.
Monthly rates
Plan F | Plan G | |
|---|---|---|
| BCBS | $192 | $145 |
| Cigna | $191 | $161 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $200 | $161 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $270 | $237 |
All rates are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke.
Coverage features and benefits
All Medicare Supplements plans are legally required to provide the same core benefits which makes it easier to compare Medigap plans. However, many Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates go above and beyond with add-on services and discounts.
- The Blue-to-Blue program lets you switch between Medigap plans at certain times of the year without using your medical history to calculate rates or deny coverage, a process called medical underwriting.
- Discounts are available for autopay, family and prepaid plans.
- Same Age Forever is a benefit that lets you keep the same monthly premium if you join at 65.
- Automatic claims filing eliminates the paperwork and hassle of filing claims.
In addition, some states allow for the sale of plans with add-on features like SilverSneakers, dental, vision, telemedicine and wellness programs.
Customer reviews and complaints
Across the board, Blue Cross Blue Shield provides slightly better-than-average customer service. However, that can vary depending on where you live and which Blue Cross company covers you.
As a whole, Blue Cross Blue Shield scored an average of 3.5/5 stars, just above average, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). However, individual BCBS member company scores range from a low of 2.5/5 to a high of 4.5/5.
Best and worst affiliates by customer experience
Worst performers (2.5 stars) | Top performers (4.5 stars) |
|---|---|
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Georgia) | Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico | Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island |
| Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Nevada) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts |
Customer complaints collected by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) paint a similar picture. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona receives 62% fewer complaints than an average company its size. However, in Michigan, the local affiliate gets considerably more complaints compared to the average health insurance company.
Which Medigap plan is best for you?
The two most popular Medigap plans are F and G. They account for 73% of all Medigap policies. Plan F has the best combination of benefits and low rates, but it is only available if you became eligible for Medicare before 2020. If you qualified for Medicare after Dec. 31, 2019, you're best off with Plan G.
Other plans are cheaper, but they cover fewer services, and some may reimburse you for less than 100% of your out-of-pocket expenses, such as your deductible, copay and coinsurance.
Plan F and Plan G are the most popular because they offer the most coverage. Both plans have essentially the same coverage with one exception: Plan F pays your Medicare Part B deductible, while Plan G doesn't. Because Plan G offers less coverage, it's usually cheaper than Plan F.
Plan F and G coverage
- Medicare Parts A and B coinsurance and copays
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Hospital costs
- Extra medical charges not covered by Medicare
- Blood transfusions (up to three pints)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Another popular choice is Plan N, which covers your Part A deductible, coinsurance for Parts A and B, blood transfusions up to three pints and 80% of your medical expenses outside the U.S. However, you're responsible for a $20 copay each time you visit the doctor and a $50 copay if you visit the emergency room (ER) and don't require hospitalization.
Plan K is much more affordable than Plan G and F, making it a good choice for those who want to reduce some costs but who can't afford the higher rates of other plan options. Plan K only covers up to 50% of most out-of-pocket costs. It also doesn't cover your Part B deductible and excess charges.
Some BCBS affiliates offer Medicare Select plans. They are cheaper, but you have to use in-network care for nonemergency services.
Frequently asked questions
How can I purchase a Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Medicare Supplement plan?
You can purchase a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap policy over the phone or online. You can get in touch with a BCBS representative by calling 888-630-2583.
Is Blue Cross Blue Shield (Medigap) good?
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a good choice when buying a Medicare Supplement policy because it provides above-average service at average prices. However, this may vary depending on where you live.
How much does Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap cost?
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap plans typically cost around the national average. The two most popular plans, F and G, cost an average of $192 and $145 per month, respectively.
Sources and methodology
ValuePenguin used publicly available information taken from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to compile rate and coverage data. We also consulted the NCQA and the NAIC for information about plan quality and customer satisfaction.
The ValuePenguin star rating for Blue Cross Blue Shield is based on its price, coverage quality, customer satisfaction and unique features.
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