MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
Blue Medicare Supplement Insurance
Getting started as a Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicare Supplement member has never been easier.
Welcome to Your Blue Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan
Whether you're new to Medicare or just to your plan, here are some tips to make the transition smooth. Feeling a little nervous about your new plan? We understand. Your Medicare plan may be new to you now, but soon you'll get to know it and be comfortable with it. You may even like it better than your previous health care plan. We hope to answer your basic questions here.
If you need more information or just want a little help understanding your benefits or the Medicare rules, call the number listed on the back of your member ID card.
Medicare Supplement Coverage with BCBSIL
We're here to help you understand your coverage, stay informed, and take advantage of available discounts.
What’s Covered
Your Outline of Coverage details benefits of your plan. Your plan's Outline of Coverage includes:
- Benefits of your plan
- Policy renewal information
- Excluded benefits and coverage limitations
Payment Details
The Outline of Coverage also explains:
- Your payment responsibilities
- Medicare’s payment contributions
- Additional coverage provided by your plan beyond Medicare
Staying Informed
We keep you updated with important letters throughout the year. Here's what you can expect.
Rate Change Mailing
If Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois changes your monthly premium, we’ll let you know in advance with a letter showing your new premium amount.
CMS Deductible Change Benefit Mailings
Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updates coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles covered by Medicare. We’ll let you know what those changes are.
Creditable Coverage Letter
Creditable coverage means you have a health care plan that meets a minimum set of criteria. Every year, this letter confirms that your plan meets the minimum requirements for health coverage. If you want to change your plan, you'll need to show this letter when selecting a new plan.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
This statement is not a bill. It simply details what you have paid and describes the level of benefits you've used. It is not a bill. Review your EOB for accuracy. If you think there are errors, contact customer service. If you think think you are the victim of fraud, report it immediately.
Medicare Supplement Forms
Below are some forms you may have to fill out while you're a member.
- Automatic Premium Payment Program Authorization Agreement
- Appointment of Representative
- Protected Health Information (PHI)
Preventing Fraud
Health care fraud can be reduced or even prevented through awareness. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to finding and stopping health care fraud, waste and abuse through its Special Investigations Department. This department is there to protect you and your plan. However, BCBSIL needs your help to find and prevent health care fraud.
There are things you can do to help find and prevent health care fraud. Review our fighting fraud checklist .
How to Make Payments
As a BCBSIL member, you have access to several convenient payment options.
Member Discounts
Saving on Premiums
Household Discount
You may be eligible for a discount if you enrolled in a BCBSIL Medicare supplement policy issued with an effective date on or after May 1, 2022, and you either:
- Reside with a spouse, or a domestic partner; or
- Have resided with as many as three adults age 60 or older for the last 12 months.
Continue with BlueSM Discount
You may be eligible for a Continue with Blue Discount if you were enrolled in a Blue Cross and Blue Shield commercial group or individual health insurance coverage plan and that coverage was within one year of your BCBSIL Medicare Supplement policy becoming effective. Applies to BCBSIL Medicare Supplement policies issued with an effective date on or after April 1, 2022. There cannot be a gap in coverage greater than 12 months from the date of when your commercial or individual membership ended to when your Medicare Supplement policy started. The discount is 7%.
Blue Family DiscountSM
You may be eligible for a Blue Family Discount if you enrolled in a BCBSIL Medicare Supplement policy issued with an effective date on or after April 1, 2024 and you meet the criteria for both the Household Discount AND the Continue with Blue Discount. The discount is 12%.
Continue with Blue
Applying for the “Continue with Blue” Discount
Call the number on the back of your member ID card to speak to a Customer Advocate, and be prepared to provide your previous commercial or individual member ID. Once your eligibility is confirmed, the discount will show up on the next billing cycle. The discount will not be retroactive.
- The discount will not be retroactive.
- You must be on a Medicare Supplement plan on or after May 1, 2023.
- There cannot be a gap in coverage greater than 12 months from the date when your commercial or individual membership ended to when your Medicare Supplement policy started.
Medicare Select Plans
Some Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans have a money saving option called Medicare Select. With this option, the Medicare Part A deductible is covered for non-emergency care at Medicare Select hospitals. If it's an emergency, the Part A deductible is covered at any hospital.
Medicare Select is not an HMO. You can choose your own doctors and specialists. To avoid paying the Part A deductible, you must agree to use a Medicare Select hospital for non-emergency care.
You're eligible if you live within 30 miles of any Medicare Select hospital. Find a list of Medicare Select hospital . Plans F, G, and N have Medicare Select options in Illinois.
Only certain hospitals are network providers under this policy. Check with your doctor to find out if he or she has admitting privileges at the network hospital. If he or she does not, you may be required to use another doctor at the time of hospitalization or, if you still use a non-network hospital, you must pay the Part A deductible and any non-covered charges.
