We are proud to offer Blue Shield Of CA as one of our carriers. If you are interested in receiving a free quote comparison or if you have any questions regarding Blue Shield plans, please give us a call at (800) 208-4974.
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the article:
Company Background
Blue Shield of CA was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. The organization serves over 4 million members and about 65,0000 physicians across the state of CA.
The organization was an original founder of the National Associations of Blue Shield Plans, later becoming known as the “Blue Cross and Blue Shield Associations”. Today, Blue Shield Of CA is an independent licensee of the association.
Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross are separate entities in California. They operate completely independently in the CA senior market.
The company employs about 6,800 employees and had revenues of about $17 billion in 2017. They were recognized as one of the 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies and as a “Top Regional Company” by Diverstiy Inc. in 2017.
Blue Shield maintains an A rating with A.M.’s Best.
Products offered in CA:
- Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)
- Medicare Advantage Plans
- Part D prescription plans
Features of Blue Shield Of CA Medicare Supplement Plans: (described in detail below)
- 30 day free look period
- Plan F “Extra” option
- “Rolling Birthday Rule”
- “New To Medicare Discount”
- SilverSneakers included in all plans
- $3 discount for autopay (“EasyPay”)
Blue Shield offers plans F, F “Extra”, G and N across California. With these plans, you are able to see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Original Medicare. No referral needed. In addition, these plans provide foreign travel coverage for emergencies.
Blue Shield Of CA Medicare Supplement Plan F
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive plan and provides 100% coverage for everything that Medicare does not pay in full, such as:
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Blood
- Part B coinsurance
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing
See the chart below for the full details.
| Medicare Benefits | Blue Shield Plan F |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are used up) | 100% |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% |
| Medicare Part A deductible | 100% |
| Medicare Part B deductible | 100% |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | 100% |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (up to $50k) | 100% |
Blue Shield Of California Plan F “Extra”
Blue Shield Of California offers Plan F “Extra” Medicare Supplement Plan. Folks who purchase Plan F Extra enjoy the same comprehensive coverage as the regular Medicare Supplement Plan F with added vision and hearing benefits, and a personal emergency alert device.
*Plan F and Plan “Extra” are only available to folks who have turned 65 or started Medicare Part A prior to January 1st, 2020.
*The rates are actually lower on Plan F Extra than the regular Plan F for folks between the ages of 65-80 in California. Give us a call today at (800) 208-4974 to find out if you can save money and increase your coverage!
The added benefits include:
Vision Coverage
- Annual eye exam
- Frames (once every 24 months)
- Eyeglass lenses or contact lenses (once every 12 months)
Hearing Benefits
- Annual hearing exam
- Access to Vista brand digital hearing aids (savings)
Emergency alert device (choose the option that works best for you)
- In-home landline (works with your home phone)
- In-home cellular
- Mobile with GPS (locates you when in need of help)
Blue Shield Of CA Medicare Supplement Plan G
Blue Shield Of California offers Medicare Supplement Plan G. People who purchase Plan G enjoy a low monthly premium in exchange for paying the Part B deductible once per year, at the doctor’s office. The deductible is $240 in 2024. There are no other copays or out-of-pocket costs on Plan G.
Plan G is often compared to Plan F because the plans are identical with the exception of the Part B deductible. Plan G tends to be a couple of hundred dollars less per year than Plan F in CA.
| Medicare Benefits | Blue Shield Plan G |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are used up) | 100% |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% |
| Medicare Part A deductible | 100% |
| Medicare Part B deductible | X |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | 100% |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (up to $50k) | 100% |
Blue Shield Of CA Plan G “Extra”
Newly announced for 2020, Medicare Supplement Plan G “Extra” is now available for folks in California! Plan G Extra offers the same basic benefits as the basic Plan G but with the same added benefits as Plan F “Extra” such as added vision and hearing that is not included with the basic Plans F and G.
Plan G “Extra” also includes a $25 per month discount for the first 12 months for folks who are new to Medicare (starting Part B for the first time or turning 65).
Blue Shield Of CA Medicare Supplement Plan N
Medicare Supplement Plan N is another popular option. This plan also does not cover the Part B deductible (similar to Plan G) and has the following additional out-of-pocket costs:
- $0-$20 copay at every doctor or specialist visit
- Part B excess charges not covered
Plan N can be a great option for someone who is still looking for the freedom to see any Medicare provider with the combination of a low monthly premium. Plan N is often a good alternative to a Medicare Advantage plan if you are looking for an affordable monthly premium.
| Medicare Benefits | Blue Shield Plan N |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are used up) | 100% |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance or copayment | $0-$20 Office Copay |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% |
| Medicare Part A deductible | 100% |
| Medicare Part B deductible | X |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | X |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (up to $50k) | 100% |
What Plan To Choose?
In California, the Plan F Extra or Plan G makes the most sense if you are just turning 65 or starting Medicare Part B for the first time. There is a $25 per month discount for the first 12 months (described below) with Blue Shield. Factoring in the discount, their plans are the most competitive in California.
In addition, we can always use the “CA Birthday Rule” to move our clients between companies to maximize savings on premiums. We shop the rates for all of our clients each year with our “Rate Lookout” program.
Discounts Available With Blue Shield
Blue Shield offers a $25 per month discount for folks who are turning 65 or new to Medicare Part B. This $25 discount is for the first 12 months of the policy and is only available for Plan F, Plan F “Extra”, and Plan G.
*If you are turning 65 or starting Medicare for the first time a Plan F Extra or Plan G with Blue Shield will most likely be the lowest priced supplement in California. Call us at (800) 208-4974 to compare prices, we work with all the insurance companies in California!
There is a $3 per month discount for paying automatically each month when signing up for “Easy$Pay.” This service will debit your checking or savings account each month to pay for the policy. If a husband and wife are signing up together, it is $3 total, not $3 per person.
Also, there is a $3 per month discount if you sign up for one of their dental plans at the same time as the Medicare Supplement plan. This discount lasts for the first 6 months of the policy.
SilverSneakers with Blue Shield Of CA
Blue Shield currently offers the SilverSneakers Fitness program at no additional cost on all of their Medicare Supplement plans.
Blue Shield Of California Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplement plans offer the freedom to see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare, whereas the Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks.
In addition to the Medigap plans, Blue Shield offers Medicare Advantage plans across Southern California. These plans come with a low premium and combine Part D RX coverage. These plans can be a good fit for the right individual.
Give us a call at (800) 208-4974, if you would like to go over the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
If you are interested in finding out if your doctor is in-network for one of the Advantage plans or if you have any questions, give us a call at (800) 208-4974.
What To Do Next?
- If you are looking for quotes – We can provide you with a free rate comparison for all plans and companies, call us directly at (800) 208-4974 or use our online quoting here.
- If you have general questions related to Medicare – or questions particular to Blue Shield call us at (800) 208-4974
- If you are not ready to speak with us – feel free to read more about Medicare carriers here.
Alex Wender is the founder and CEO of Bluewave Insurance. He has been blogging about Medicare-related topics since 2010. Since then, he and his agency have helped thousands of people across the country choose the right Medicare to fit their needs.
