More and more businesses are discovering cost savings with AARP ® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (UnitedHealthcare). In fact, more than 1,400 employers have chosen AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans as a supplemental health insurance option to help protect their retirees against some unexpected out-of-pocket health care costs. There are a variety of plans to choose from to complement Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and help to reduce out-of-pocket health care costs. Best of all, they can offer savings to employers like you.

Supplemental Health Insurance for Retirees

Offer your retirees the option of AARP ® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.

Offer your retirees the option of AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

Join over 1,400 employers who have selected AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans as an option to help their retirees with some of the expenses Medicare doesn’t pay. These Medicare supplement plans (also known as “Medigap” plans), which carry the AARP name, offer retirees
different levels of coverage choices to complement Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B) while helping to reduce their out-of-pocket health care costs.

Group Medicare Plans for Retirees

Enrollment in the 2019 Medicare Advantage plans will begin on October 15th, 2018 and will run through the Annual Enrollment Period ending on December 7th, 2018.   Some of the features of typical 2018 Medicare Advantage plans can be found below.

Typical Medicare Advantage HMO Plan Example

• $0.00 Premium
• $0.00 medical deductible
• $5 or $10 doctor office visits
• $35-50 specialist office visits
• $0 for dental cleanings and oral exams every six months
• Up to $750 per year for most dental services
• $0 for one routine eye exam per year
• Up to $200 per year for contact lens or eyeglasses
• $0 for one routine hearing exam per year
• Annual hearing aid allowances
• $30-50 credit toward over-the-counter items per quarter
• $0 for fitness membership
• $0 pharmacy deductible

Typical Medicare Advantage PPO Plan Example

• $0.00 Premium
• $0.00 medical deductible
• $5 doctor office visits in network, $50 out of network
• $45 specialist office visits in network, $50 out of network
• $0 for dental cleaning every six months (in network); you pay 20% out of network
• $0 for oral exam every six months (in network); you pay 20% out of network
• Up to $750 per year for most dental services
• $0 for one routine eye exam per year in network; you pay 50% out of network
• Up to $200 per year for contact lens or eyeglasses
• $0 for one routine hearing exam per year in network; you pay 50% out of network
• $350 maximum hearing benefit per year
• $50 in over-the-counter items per quarter
• $0 for fitness membership
• $150 pharmacy deductible

 

2018 Medicare Advantage Plans Highlights

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina

• BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina (“BlueCross”) is one of the leading health insurance companies in South Carolina
• Based in Columbia, it has offices throughout the state
• Serving South Carolina residents for more than 70 years
• More than 50 years of Medicare experience
• With over 11,000 employees – BlueCross employees are your neighbors. If it matters to you, it matters to BlueCross.
• BlueCross membership has its advantages, from discounts for health and wellness products, to being a part of a local health care community
  committed to caring for each member we serve.

“The Only Medicare Advantage Plan in South Carolina Backed by the Power of Blue”

MAPD – Medicare Advantage Plan eligibility

In order to enroll in a BlueCross Medicare Advantage plan:

• You must be entitled to Medicare Part A
  • Enrolled in Medicare Part B
  • Live in the plan’s service area

– Specific counties in the Upstate, Midlands/Coastal and Low Country regions

PDP – Part D Prescription Drug Plan Eligibility

In order to enroll in a BlueCross PDP plan:

• You must be entitled to Medicare Part A OR
  • Or, Enrolled in Medicare Part B

– Unlike Medicare Advantage health plans, prospective members do not have to be both eligible for Part A and enrolled in Part B at the time they apply for Part D enrollment. The beneficiary must meet only one of these requirements:

• Live in the plan’s service area

– PDP plans are available in every county in South Carolina

Why Choose BlueCross?

• We care for our local community, serving our neighbors in South Carolina for more than 70 years.
  • BlueCross employees participate in numerous corporate fundraising campaigns. In 2016, employees donated $3 million and volunteered close to 23,000 hours in the workplace, and in local communities, to support charitable causes.
  • BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is rated A+ by AM Best.
  • BlueCross has been rated A+ for the past 15 years.
  • BlueCross provides an excellent choice of hospitals and doctors.
  • We offer the flexibility of out-of-state coverage – allowing travelers to access doctors and pharmacies nationwide.
  • BlueCross has been in the Medicare business since 1966 – when we were selected by the federal government to administer Part A. Our deep understanding of the needs of Medicare beneficiaries allows us to design the products and benefits you want.
  • We use our strength and experiences to continuously improve and evolve to meet the needs of our members.
  • BlueCross strives to be a leader in innovation and excellence.

Call us to find the plan you need today!

Well, it’s almost that time of year again in Upstate South Carolina! Beginning October 15th, 2017, and through December 7th, 2017, Medicare-eligible consumers can enroll in or change Medicare Advantage plans. Here are some of the facts you need to know:

• To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to have Medicare A and B, live in the service area of the plan you select, and not have end stage renal disease (ESRD) in most cases.
• If you select a Medicare Advantage (part C) plan, it must cover all of the services that original Medicare (parts A and B) covers. There is no chance that you sign up for a plan that provides less coverage than original Medicare.
• Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (part D). These Medicare Advantage plans are called MAPD plans.
• Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer extra features like vision, dental, hearing, and fitness benefits that are not offered under original Medicare.
• In most cases you will still pay your Part B premium in a MAPD plan. The actual amount of the Part B premium is determined by income level.
• If you don’t select a plan or make changes during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) you may not be able to make changes until next year’s AEP.
• The coverage for the plan you select will go into effect on January 1st, 2018.
• If you change your mind after enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to go back to original Medicare, you can do so between January 1st and February 14 in 2018.

If you live in upstate South Carolina or north Georgia, including but not limited to the following counties: Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Oconee, Pickens, Laurens, or Union counties in South Carolina and Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Banks, or Elbert counties in Georgia, please give us a call at:

(864) 214-4261 for local help in upstate South Carolina

so that we can find the best plan for you today.