BCBS "Medicare Blue Private Complete" Plan

[W_HAMILTON]

Anyone out there with information on this plan? My mother is looking to sign up for it, but it seems too good to be true. I know normal costs for the supplement and prescription plan run around ~$200, yet this plan includes both for around ~50 per month. I checked the list of what is covered, and it seems to mention everything. But I am sure there is some trick.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding this plan?

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Actually, I also would be interested in what you find out.

And, as I think of it, I would like to expand the inquiry to all the available supplement/prescription plans around. I'm on Medicare but am still on my old plan from work in order to keep my wife covered for the next 11 months until she gets on Medicare, at which time we'll want to know a lot more about our options than we do. We could stay on my current plan, but it's about $1000 a month with both of us on Medicare with no dependents (other than the dog, who isn't covered anyway).

[donco]

2. go here and

punch in the info and compare a bunch of plans.


http://www.medicare.gov/

[W_HAMILTON]

3. Well, I had my mom call and I asked the lady a bunch of questions.

It sounds like the reason it is so cheap is because you basically pay a co-pay for everything, with no limit to how many co-pays you pay. It seems sort of like my health insurance, except I have caps on those. If you do not have a serious illness that requires you to go to the doctor very often or seek constant care, it seems like a good plan. But you pay a co-pay for everything. Under this specific plan, EVERY doctor's visit is $25 (EVERY specialist's visit is $35). EVERY test is $15. That means if your doctor requires bloodwork, an x-ray, and an EKG, you would pay $25+$15+$15+$15. It can add up, but if you don't currently have a condition that requires such frequent tests, it should work out better for you. I figure if my mother does come down with a condition that requires her to go to the doctor more than she currently does, she can always switch plans next December to a plan with a higher premium, but more reasonable out-of-pocket costs.

The important thing to do is make sure your doctor/pharmacy/local hospital takes this plan. Also, I would check the formulary to make sure the prescription costs are reasonable for the types of medicine you take.

Good luck.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Thanks to both of you.