Save money with Blue
Our plans come with a variety of benefits and extras:
- No-cost gym membership and at-home fitness kits with Silver&Fit®
- $0 copays on hearing exams, discounts on state-of-the-art hearing aids, and more!
- Discounts on vision and other wellness products through our value-added programs
You can also save on your monthly premium payments with these discounts:
- Age-In Discount: When you turn 65 or retire and are new to Medicare.
- Non-Tobacco Discount
- Monthly Bank Draft Discount: Premium savings if you sign up to have your premium drafted from your bank account.
- Household Discount: Premium savings if you live at the same address as another BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina or BlueChoice® HealthPlan member.*
New Plus endorsement!
We have a new benefit for Medicare Supplement members. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan with us, you will be eligible for a special offer with discounted rates and various other health-related perks!
Contact us
Call us at 800-760-3690 to speak with one of our experienced sales counselors.
Call NowVisit a store
Get help in person at a South Carolina BLUESM retail center.
Go NowSilver&Fit is an added-value discount program. Its services and discounts are offered to BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina members in addition to, but not included in, the services and benefits covered under a BlueCross policy. Silver&Fit is an exercise and healthy aging program administered by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. (ASH Fitness), a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated, an independent company that offers these services on behalf of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
*To be eligible for the discount, the Medicare Supplement member must have purchased their plans June 2010 and after.
Looking for a plan to help bridge the gaps in what Medicare does not pay for? Medicare Supplement plans do just that. They can help pay some of the remaining costs like your copays, deductibles and coinsurance. They are sometimes called Medigap plans.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina offers BlueCare® and Blue Select® Medicare Supplement plans. You can sign up for these plans at any time. The best time to sign up is during your initial Medicare enrollment.
BlueCare & Blue Select plans
With a BlueCare plan, you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare — anywhere, anytime. There’s no need to worry about networks, referrals or boundaries. Depending on your plan, you may have no out-of-pocket costs at all for medical expenses. BlueCare plans are available in all South Carolina counties.
Blue Select plans offer the same benefits as BlueCare plans, but at a lower monthly rate. In exchange, you agree to use hospitals in the Blue Select network for scheduled inpatient (non-emergency) care. The Part A deductible is waived if you use a Blue Select network hospital. You can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare for outpatient or emergency care, even when you travel.
There are more than 40 South Carolina-based hospitals in the network!
- View the Blue Select Hospital Directory
Most popular Medicare Supplement plans
BlueCross offers these and other standard Medicare Supplement plans:
Get a quote Plans for 2022 Plans for 2023
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers about 80% of your medical and hospital expenses. Medicare supplement plans, known as “Medigap,” help fill the gap by paying for some costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.
Why Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York Medicare Supplement?
No Network
Medicare supplement plans don’t require you to use a specific network of providers, giving you the freedom to go to any doctor, hospital, or specialist that accepts Medicare.
Freedom to Travel
Medicare supplement plans are generally accepted at any doctor or facility in the US that accepts Medicare.
No Referrals Needed
See any Medicare specialist whenever you like without a referral from your primary doctor.
Guaranteed Renewable for Life
Keep your coverage year after year, as long as your premiums are paid on time (your policy cannot be terminated for any reason other than nonpayment of premium).
Ready to enroll in Medigap?
It's simple. Complete our Medigap Enrollment Application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there eligibility requirements?
The Initial Enrollment Period is a limited window of time when you can enroll in Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) when you are first eligible. You must live in one of the following Western New York counties to be eligible for enrollment in one of our Medicare Advantage plans:
- Allegany
- Genesee
- Cattaraugus
- Niagara
- Chautauqua
- Orleans
- Erie
- Wyoming
What is Creditable vs. Non-Creditable Coverage
Most entities that currently provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries must disclose whether the entity's coverage is 'creditable prescription drug coverage.' A disclosure is required whether the insurer is primary or secondary to Medicare. A description of an entity, as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) can be found on their website.
Disclosure of whether prescription drug coverage is creditable provides Medicare-eligible beneficiaries with important information relating to their Medicare Part D enrollment. Beneficiaries who are not covered under creditable prescription drug coverage and who choose not to enroll before the end of their initial enrollment period for Medicare Part D, likely will pay a higher premium on a permanent basis if they subsequently enroll in Medicare Part D.
When is the initial enrollment period?
After you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you can select other coverage options like a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan from approved private insurers. The best time to buy a Medigap policy is the six-month period that starts the first day of the month that you turn 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. After this period, your ability to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and it may
be more costly.
What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?
Medicare supplement plans work with your Original Medicare coverage and pay for many of the out-of-pocket costs, copays, and deductibles of Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans replace your Original Medicare coverage and often provide Part D prescription drug coverage and additional benefits such as dental, vision, and gym memberships.
All Medicare supplement plans are identified by letter, ranging from A through N. Each plan type offers a different level of coverage beyond Original Medicare. Blue Cross Blue Shield now offers Medicare Supplement plans G and N, in addition to A, B, C, F and high-deductible F.
Medigap Questions? We're here to help!
January 1 - September 30, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Monday - FridayOctober 1 - December 31, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a weekReady to Enroll?
It's simple. Complete our Medigap Enrollment Application.
Resources
- Medicare Supplemental Coverage Options
If you are in a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan, a Medigap policy will not cover any part of your deductible. In addition, if you are in a Medicare MSA Plan, it is illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy.