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At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we want to empower you to choose the best coverage for your needs. We’re taking the guesswork out of navigating Medicare by breaking down the fundamentals.
Medicare is a federal medical insurance program in the United States. Individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements can enroll in Medicare. There are several parts to overall Medicare coverage options:
Most individuals enrolling in Medicare combine some or all of these parts to provide comprehensive health coverage. View Medicare options, side-by-side, in Comparing & Combining Medicare Options.
To be eligible for Medicare, you must meet one of the following requirements:
| Premium | A fixed amount you pay for Medicare coverage. You may pay the premium directly to Medicare, your Medicare plan such as Excellus BCBS, or both, depending on your coverage. Most premiums are charged monthly. |
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Deductible |
A dollar limit you must meet from the sum of your out-of-pocket payments for covered services before your plan begins to pay. For example, if your deductible is $250, you would pay that amount for a covered service and your plan would cover the rest. |
| Copayment (copay) | The fixed dollar amount you pay for a covered health care service or benefit when you receive it. For example, if your copayment is $20, you would pay that amount when you receive the health care service, and your plan would pay the remainder. |
| Coinsurance | A percentage of the cost you pay for a covered health care service or benefit when you receive it. So, if your plan has a coinsurance of 30%, your plan would cover 70% of the cost of the service. |
You should also be aware that there are various financial assistance programs and additional support options that may be available to help bring down the types of Medicare costs detailed above.
We’re breaking down the different types of Medicare, so you can better navigate enrollment.
Original Medicare, sometimes called Traditional Medicare, is administered directly by the federal government and comes in two parts: Part A & B.
Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is provided by a private insurer, like Excellus BCBS. Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage.
Excellus BCBS is here to support you and help keep Medicare enrollment simple. We’ve been working to make health coverage more accessible and affordable for everyone in our community for nearly 90 years, and our local Medicare Consultants are available to help you with all things Medicare.
Our dedicated local Medicare Consultants are here to answer all your Medicare questions.
Ready to enroll in Medicare? Excellus BCBS makes it easy to enroll online or over the phone.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is an HMO plan and PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal. Submit a complaint about your Medicare plan at www.Medicare.gov or learn about filing a complaint by contacting the Medicare Ombudsman. Y0028_10519_C.
This page last updated 10-01-2024.
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