Private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans that combine your Medicare Part A and B coverage with extra benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drugs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is one of the biggest providers of these plans. They offer Medicare Advantage options in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Quick Overview of BCBS Medicare
BCBS has been around since 1929 and serves about 115 million people. It’s actually a group of 33 independent companies, so depending on where you live, you might see slightly different names like:

- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
- Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York
- Premera Blue Cross
How BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans Work
While Original Medicare has the same rules and benefits across the U.S., Medicare Advantage plans can vary by state and insurance provider. Still, all Medicare Advantage plans must follow Medicare guidelines and include everything from Parts A and B.
Most BCBS Advantage plans also include:
✅ Dental and vision care
✅ Hearing aids
✅ Prescription drug coverage
✅ Yearly out-of-pocket limits
✅ Some plans even have $0 monthly premiums
BCBS also has a plan finder tool to help you find the right plan in your area and get in touch with your local BCBS provider.

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Pros & Cons of BCBS Medicare Advantage

Pros:
- The BlueCard program lets you get care nationwide at in-network prices.
- Offers flexible plan types like HMO, PPO, and PFFS.
- Covers more than Original Medicare—like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Some plans come with a $0 premium, depending on your area.
Cons:
- You usually still have to pay your Part B premium along with the Advantage plan premium.
- BCBS has fewer Special Needs Plans (SNPs) than other companies.
- Plan details like cost and coverage can change every January 1.
- Most plans only cover in-network providers, except for emergencies.
Types of BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans
Here’s a quick breakdown of the different plan types BCBS offers:

1. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
- You need to stay in-network (unless it’s an emergency).
- Usually includes prescription drug coverage.
- You may need a referral from your primary doctor to see a specialist.
- You’ll also need to pick a primary care provider (PCP).
2. PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
- More flexible—you can see out-of-network doctors, but you’ll pay more.
- No need to choose a PCP or get referrals.
- Usually includes drug coverage.
3. PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service)
- See any provider that accepts the plan’s terms.
- You’ll know up front what you’ll pay and what the plan will cover.
- Drug coverage is usually included, but if it’s not, you can get Part D.
- These plans are only available in Arkansas under BCBS.

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What About Prescription Drug Coverage?

Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription drugs. Many BCBS Advantage plans already include drug coverage. But if not, you may be able to add a separate Part D plan.
Each plan has its own formulary (a list of covered medications), and most plans require a copay or coinsurance for prescriptions.
How Much Do BCBS Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?
Costs vary based on your plan, location, and coverage level. Everyone still has to pay the $174.70 Medicare Part B premium. Some BCBS plans have $0 monthly premiums, but you may still have to pay for services.
Here’s a snapshot of some BCBS plans:
State | Provider | Monthly Premium | Deductibles | Out-of-Pocket Limit | Extra Benefits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts | BCBS of Massachusetts | $0 | $0 | $5,600 | Vision, dental, hearing, fitness, telehealth |
Kentucky | Anthem BCBS | $0 | $0 | $4,800 | Plus transportation |
Illinois | BCBS of Illinois | $0 | $0 | $6,350 | Vision, dental, hearing, telehealth, fitness |
California | Blue Shield of California | $0 | $0 | $699 | Includes transportation and emergency care |
You can use Medicare’s plan finder tool to compare options based on your location.
BCBS Reputation and Reviews
BCBS has been offering Medicare plans since 1966. While each BCBS company is slightly different, Medicare’s star rating system gives insight into customer satisfaction.
For example, BCBS North Carolina has a 4.5-star rating (out of 5) for 2024. You can compare plans and ratings on the official Medicare website.

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BCBS vs. UnitedHealthcare
Both BCBS and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) are big players in the Medicare world.

- BCBS partners with 1.7 million healthcare providers
- UHC works with 1.5 million providers
- BCBS covers 115 million members; UHC covers around 170 million
One key difference: Over 90% of doctors nationwide accept BCBS, which may give them a slight edge over UHC in some areas.
Final Thoughts
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans with strong national coverage, good extra benefits, and a long history of reliability. Just make sure to compare plans carefully to find what fits your needs best—whether it’s low premiums, provider access, or drug coverage.
Let me know if you’d like a summary version for social media or a comparison chart of top BCBS plans in your state!