Compare 2013 Medicare plans

Ask yourself these questions when comparing 2013 Medicare plan options.

1. How much do you want to pay?

Some plans offer lower monthly premiums but you share in the cost of your health care with a copayment or coinsurance. Other plans have a higher monthly premium but you’ll pay little or no out-of-pocket costs for eligible services and supplies.

Member pays Blue Essentials (HMO-POS) Platinum BlueSM
(Cost)		 Senior GoldSM
(Medicare supplement)1
Monthly plan premium $60 Core: $29
Choice: $74
Complete: $109		 Tobacco-free: $215
Standard: $249

 
Annual medical deductible $0 $0 $0
Annual out-of-pocket maximum (for covered medical services) $4,000 Core: $5,000
Choice: $3,000
Complete: $3,000		 No maximum; minimal to no cost sharing for eligible services and supplies
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1 Senior Gold rates/benefits reflect enrollment in all plan options.


2. How much do you want to share in the cost of services?

The more you are willing to share in the cost of Medicare-eligible services and supplies, the lower your monthly plan premium will be.

Benefits Blue Essentials Platinum Blue Senior Gold 1
Doctor’s office visit (primary care and specialists) $25 copay for each primary care visit

$35 copay for each specialist and podiatry visit

$20 copay for each chiropractic visit		 Core: 20% coinsurance
Choice: $15 copay
Complete: $0		 $0
Emergency care (in the U.S. and worldwide) $65 copay Core: $50 copay
Choice: $50 copay
Complete: $0		 $0 for emergency care in the U.S.

20% coinsurance for eligible emergency care worldwide
Urgently needed care (outside the service area and within the U.S.) $35 copay Core: $25 copay
Choice: $25 copay
Complete: $0		 $0
Inpatient hospital stay Days 1-4: $275 copay per day

Days 5-90: $0		 Core: $500 copay per stay; plan covers 90 days each benefit period plus 60 lifetime reserve days

Choice: $100 copay per stay; no limit to the number of days covered each benefit period

Complete: $0; no limit to the number of days covered each benefit period		 $0; no limit to the number of days covered each benefit period
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1 Senior Gold rates/benefits reflect enrollment in all plan options.


3. What if I just want prescription drug coverage?

Learn more about the Blue Essentials’ prescription drug benefit .

If you’re interested in prescription drug coverage to pair with a Platinum Blue or Senior Gold plan, learn more about MedicareBlue Rx (PDP) ExternalLink from Blue Cross.


4. Do you travel?

Plans vary in their travel benefits and the length of time you’ll be covered. How often you travel and for how long should be considered.

Benefits Blue Essentials Platinum Blue Senior Gold
Travel coverage Plan benefits for up to six months outside the service area within the U.S. Plan benefits for up to nine months outside the service area within the U.S. Plan benefits for unlimited travel outside the service area within the U.S.
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5. Are there other plan features that are important to you?

Our plans also include important wellness features.

Other plan features Blue Essentials Platinum Blue Senior Gold
SilverSneakers® Fitness Program   Included  
Fitness Discounts  Included    Included
24-Hour Nurse Advice Line   Included  Included
Stop-Smoking Support*   Included  Included
Vision and hearing product discounts* Included Included Included
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6. What about access to doctors and hospitals?

Our participating provider networks are extensive and include many of the providers in Minnesota and nearby states.

» search Blue Essentials network (PDF)
» search Platinum Blue network
» search Aware network for Senior Gold

For information about plans available to residents of other states, please visit AskBlue Medicare. ExternalLink 

Learn more

2013 plans guide (PDF)  

Attend a "Prepare for Medicare" meeting

Watch a video to learn about 2013 plans

FAQs about plans

See all plans

Blue Cross and Blue Plus are health plans with Medicare contracts. Blue Cross is a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Benefits, premiums and/or cost-sharing amounts for Platinum Blue and Blue Essentials may change on January 1 of each year. Premiums for Senior Gold may change on January 1 of each year. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan.

Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and the cross and shield symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Platinum Blue and MedicareBlue are service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Senior Gold is a service mark of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. SilverSneakers® is a registered mark of Healthways, Inc., an independent company that provides fitness benefits.

Last updated May 12, 2013
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