Newsroom | News Releases

97 of 102 Illinois counties now covered in largest Medicare expansion in plan history

CHICAGO — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) plans its largest-ever Medicare Advantage service area and product expansion in 2023, adding service for residents in an additional 61 counties, with the capability to serve 2.2 million Medicare-eligible Illinois residents.

BCBSIL now serves 68 of the 71 counties defined as “rural counties,” or those with fewer than 10,000 Medicare-eligible residents. This expansion allows BCBSIL to offer Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plans in 97 of the 102 counties in Illinois. 

“This Medicare Advantage expansion is not just geographic in scope,” said Stephen Harris, BCBSIL president. “We are enhancing plan options, with premium reduction benefits for veterans and prescription benefits designed with cost-conscious Medicare consumers in mind. Also, the PPO options have been created with an eye toward affordability, access and quality of care.”

New for 2023:

• A Medicare Advantage-only PPO plan, includes a Part B Premium Reduction benefit designed with U.S. military veterans in mind.
• A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan with a Part B Premium Reduction benefit.
• A PPO plan with a $5,000 dental allowance.
• A PPO plan with a preloaded Flexible Spend card that can be used toward covered dental, vision and hearing benefits.

In 2023, 2,378 providers and 483 facilities will be added to the BCBSIL network, making it the most accessible in the state.

The Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Annual Election Period started Oct. 15 and ends Dec, 7. For information, visit medicare.gov.

# # #

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving 8.8 million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. In 2022, J.D. Power named BCBSIL #1 in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Illinois/Indiana Region. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Learn more at bcbsil.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (HCSC). HMO plan provided by Illinois Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Company (ILBCBSIC). HCSC and ILBCBSIC are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. HCSC and ILBCBSIC are Medicare Advantage organizations with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HCSC's and ILBCBSIC’s plans depends on contract renewal.

Media Contact

Dave Van de Walle
david_van_de_walle@bcbsil.com
(312) 653-9673