Medicare videos

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. It’s also available for people of any age with certain disabilities. Here, we’ll walk you through the 4 parts of Medicare, Medicare Supplement, and where dental, vision and hearing benefits fit in.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

As you approach retirement, you probably have a lot of questions about Medicare.

What is it? How do I find the right coverage for me? And when I'm ready, how do I enroll?

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC Medicare

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, we've been providing insurance to North Carolinians for over 85 years.

[SCREEN TEXT] Providing Insurance for Over 85 Years

We know Medicare. And we know you. And we're here to help make choosing a Medicare plan a little easier. Let's get started.

First, what is Medicare? Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. It's also available for people of any age with certain disabilities.

You may have heard Medicare referred to in parts. Let's start with Parts A and B. Part A is your hospital benefits. It includes services such as inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care and hospice.

Part B is your medical benefits. It includes services such as doctor visits, labs, emergency room services and some preventive care, like flu shots. Both Parts A and B are managed by the Federal Government. You can choose to enroll in Part A or B separately or together.

[SCREEN TEXT] A + B Original Medicare

When paired together, Part A and Part B are referred to as Original Medicare. Because Original Medicare does not include prescription drug benefits, some people who enroll in Parts A and B also enroll in Part D.

[SCREEN TEXT] D Standalone Prescription Drug Plan

Part D is a standalone prescription drug plan. It is offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC.

[SCREEN TEXT] A + B Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement

People who enroll in Original Medicare also sometimes add a Medicare Supplement, or Medigap plan, to their coverage.

[SCREEN TEXT] Medicare Supplement

These plans are also offered by Blue Cross NC and help cover some of the costs not covered by Original Medicare alone.

[SCREEN TEXT] C Medicare Advantage

But Original Medicare is not your only option for Medicare coverage. You may choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Part C, instead. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC. All plans include Part A and Part B coverage. And most include prescription drug benefits. Some plans also offer dental, vision and hearing benefits or allowances.

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC MEDICARE

Whatever your needs, there's a Blue Medicare plan for you. With a Blue Medicare plan from Blue Cross NC, you can choose confidently, knowing you're backed by the strength of our network and supported by local customer care specialists across our state.

[SCREEN TEXT] medicare.bluecrossnc.com

To learn more about Blue Medicare or to enroll, visit us at medicare.bluecrossnc.com.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

Four factors for choosing a Medicare plan

Medicare offers a lot of options, and it can be hard to decide which plans are best for you. No matter what your needs, there are 4 factors you should always consider when comparing Medicare plans.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

Medicare can be complicated. Choosing a plan can sometimes feel like being lost without a map.

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC MEDICARE

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, we're here to guide you so you can find the plan that works best for you. When it comes to Medicare coverage, there are generally two paths you can take.

[SCREEN TEXT] 1: Original Medicare (A, B) + Supplemental Coverage (MED SUPP, D)

2: Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare plus Medicare Supplement and a standalone prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage. First, let's look at path one. In path one, you choose to add Medicare Supplement and Medicare Part D to Original Medicare. This is because Original Medicare wasn't designed to cover all your medical costs alone.

[SCREEN TEXT] Medicare Supplement

MED SUPP Blue Cross NC

Medicare Supplement plans are offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC. They cover coinsurance, deductibles or charges greater than the amount allowed by Medicare. Think of it as insurance that helps protect you from unexpected costs.

[SCREEN TEXT] D

Next, many people buy a standalone drug plan to ensure they have prescription coverage. If you choose not to have prescription coverage, you may have to pay a penalty from the Federal Government. These standalone prescription drug plans are offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC.

If you want dental or vision coverage, you can add these standalone plans as well.

[SCREEN TEXT] Path Two

Now let's take a look at path two.

[SCREEN TEXT] Medicare Advantage

In path two, your coverage is bundled into one easy to manage Medicare Advantage plan. Blue Medicare Advantage plans include the same coverage as parts A and B but with extra benefits. Most include prescription drug coverage. And some include benefits or allowances for dental and vision, low or no-cost gym memberships, hearing aid discounts and post-discharge meal plans. Medicare Advantage also has an out-of-pocket cap. Once you hit the cap, the plan pays 100% of the covered costs, not you.

[SCREEN TEXT] 1: Original Medicare (A, B) + Supplemental Coverage (MED SUPP, D)

2: Medicare Advantage

Each plan has its benefits depending on your needs. Path one allows you to see any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide. This is a great option for those who travel often or who prefer this flexibility.

Path two provides the convenience of all-in-one coverage under one plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer coverage at a lower overall cost than path one. By using doctors and hospitals within the network, the plan is able to pass on additional savings to you.

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC MEDICARE

Whatever your needs, there is a Blue Medicare plan for you. With a Blue Medicare plan from Blue Cross NC, you can choose confidently, knowing you're backed by the strength of our network and supported by local customer care specialists across our state.

[SCREEN TEXT] medicare.bluecrossnc.com

To learn more about Blue Medicare or to enroll, visit us at medicare.bluecrossnc.com.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

Enrolling in Medicare

Once you’ve found your ideal coverage, you’ll want to know when and how to enroll. Here, we talk about important dates and enrollment periods.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

[MUSIC PLAYING] Finding the right Medicare plan is more than just another box on your to-do list. It's an important step to retirement that can give you security and peace of mind.

Once you've found your ideal coverage, you'll want to know how and when to enroll. Let's talk about enrollment periods.

[SCREEN TEXT] Initial Enrollment Period

The first opportunity you have to enroll is your initial enrollment period. This is a seven-month period that begins three months before and ends three months after your month of eligibility. Your month of eligibility is usually your 65th birthday. But it can also depend on when you decide to retire.

If you're not retiring at 65, you'll still have an opportunity to sign up for Medicare when you're ready. You can also talk to your HR benefits specialists about your Medicare options while you're still employed.

Once you've enrolled in Medicare, you have the option to change plans if your needs or budget change over time. You have two opportunities each year to change your Medicare plan.

[SCREEN TEXT] Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare, Part D

Annual Enrollment: October 15 – December 7

Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31

For original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D, these are annual enrollment and open enrollment.

[SCREEN TEXT] MED SUPP

For Blue Medicare Supplement, you also have two opportunities to change your plan each year.

[SCREEN TEXT] Blue Cross NC MEDICARE

While most insurers only allow you to make changes during renewal, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina gives you one additional time each year to change your Blue Medicare Supplement plan without additional underwriting or health questions through our exclusive Blue to Blue program. This is just one of the many ways Blue Medicare makes planning for the future a little easier.

[SCREEN TEXT] medicare.bluecrossnc.com

To learn more about Blue Medicare or to enroll, visit us at medicare.bluecrossnc.com.

[SCREEN TEXT] BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina