Welcome to Blue Medicare Freedom+℠ (PPO)

How it works with federal retiree benefits

When you use your benefits, your Blue Medicare Freedom+ plan will pay first. Your federal retiree coverage comes in second to help cover some of the remaining costs.¹ In many cases, you will have no out-of-pocket costs.

View an example

Learn How it Works (PDF)

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Register for Blue Connect℠

To get the most out of your plan, you’ll want to sign up for Blue Connect – your personalized member website. Blue Connect gives you 24/7 access to your plan benefits.

With Blue Connect, you can:

Find providers in the Blue Medicare Freedom+ network and compare costs
Access your digital Blue Medicare Freedom+ member ID card
Review your supplemental benefits
Update your contact information
And more

Click the button below to register. The registration website also includes a document with a step-by-step guide (PDF) for signing up.

If you already had a Blue Connect account before you enrolled in Blue Medicare, you will need to create a new Blue Connect account to get access to your Medicare coverage information.

Note: Any secondary coverage you may have will not be accessible through Blue Connect.

What's included

Part B Premium Reduction

The Part B Premium Reduction, or “giveback,” contributes $100 per month toward your Medicare Part B premium.²

$0 copays

Visit in-network primary care physicians or specialists for $0.³

Non-emergency medical transportation

Flexible options to book a ride in advance or on-demand so you never miss another medical appointment.

In-home assistance

60 hours per year of in-home support services from professional, pre-screened caregivers. Includes meal prep, medication reminders, bathing, companionship visits and more.⁴

Healthy aging and exercise program

The Silver&Fit®⁵ Program offers you a no-cost membership at participating fitness centers or select YMCAs plus on-demand workout videos, a home fitness kit and custom workout plans to work on your fitness, nutrition and lifestyle goals.

Support for family caregivers

Live support and online resources for those caring for their loved ones.

PPO travel program

The Blue Medicare PPO℠ travel program allows Blue Medicare PPO members to use the networks of participating Blue Cross and / or Blue Shield Medicare Advantage PPO plans across the country, so you can easily find an in-network doctor or facility when you’re traveling.⁶

Personal emergency response system

Receive a wearable device that will connect you with a call center that will get you the emergency services you need. Most devices also include fall detection, GPS tracking and an app to alert family or caregivers.

Meals benefit

A post-discharge meal program offering two meals per day for 14 days.

Skilled nursing facility benefit

For additional care when you need it.

Home safety devices

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is dedicated to helping you lower your risk of falling. Plans include two home safety devices at no cost to you, including night lights, grab bars, anti-slip mats, raised toilet-seats and more.⁷

Benefits at-a-glance

Note: This information is not a complete description of benefits.
Call 877-494-7647 (TTY: 711) for more information.

In-network benefits	WITH Federal retiree benefits*	WITHOUT Federal retiree benefits**
Monthly premium:***	$0	$0
Annual Part B premium reduction:	Up to $1,200 yearly†	Up to $1,200 yearly
Annual out-of-pocket maximum:	$6,000-$8,500	$8,850
Doctor visits
Primary:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Specialist:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Outpatient services
Ambulatory surgical center:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Outpatient hospital facility:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Inpatient care
Inpatient hospital care:	$0 copay	$2,080 copay per stay (up to 90 days)
Inpatient mental care:	$0 copay	$1,937 copay per stay (up to 90 days)
Diagnostic services/lab/imaging:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Ambulance services:	$0 copay	20% of cost
Emergency services:	$0 copay	$100 copay
Skilled nursing facility (Cost share applies per day. Benefit period applied per admission.)
Days 1-20	$0 copay	$0 copay
Days 21-30	$0-203 copay	$203 copay
Days 31-60	$203 copay	$203 copay
Days 61-100	$0 copay	$0 copay

Notes:

*These benefits are illustrative and are based on 2023 federal retiree benefits and having Medicare Advantage pay primary. Amounts reflect services from an in-network facility or provider. Out-of-network costs vary based on your federal retiree plan.

**Amounts reflect services from an in-network facility or provider. Members pay 40% for most out-of-network services.

***You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

† If you also receive a Part B giveback from your federal retiree benefits, you can receive both – up to, but not exceeding, the total amount of your Part B premium.

Note: This information is not a complete description of benefits. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Costs may vary based on the member’s specific federal retiree coverage. The provider network may change at any time. You’ll receive notice when necessary. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments /coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.

Frequently asked questions

Once you become a member of Blue Medicare Freedom+, Blue Cross NC handles the administration of Parts A and B (Original Medicare).

Yes. With all Medicare Advantage plans, the federal government requires you to continue paying your Part B premium. The good news is, with Blue Medicare Freedom+ you’ll receive a portion of this premium back or see a reduction in your premium.⁸

Yes. Blue Medicare Freedom+ works alongside your federal retiree benefits, so it’s important you stay enrolled in your federal health plan. You’ll bring both member ID cards to your doctor visits, and get two Explanations of Benefits – one for each plan. You’ll want to check both for the total picture of your savings or what you may owe.

No. All Medicare plans, including Blue Medicare Freedom+, are individual plans. Your spouse will need to enroll in their own Medicare plan.

No. Blue Medicare Freedom+ does not include Part D drug coverage.

Yes. Because Blue Medicare Freedom+ is a PPO plan, you’ll have access to the nationwide Blue Medicare Advantage network when traveling outside North Carolina.

Point of Blue Blog

Explore health, lifestyle and community topics

Check out our Point of Blue blog for articles about mental health, fitness and nutrition, health care news in North Carolina and more. These articles often cover topics that are relatable and take a few minutes to read.

For example, there’s an article about building strength, another that addresses senior isolation and loneliness and one that details what you should do if you’re bitten by a copperhead snake! Head over today to see the interesting range of content.

Visit Point of Blue

Disclosures:

If you are an active federal employee and not yet retired, your federal benefits will pay first, and Blue Medicare Freedom+ will pay second.
You must pay your own Part B premium to be eligible for the reduction. You cannot receive Medicaid or any other assistance from a health program that could potentially pay your Part B premium. If you also receive a Part B giveback from a secondary plan, you can receive both reductions up to – but not exceeding – the total amount of your Part B premium. Please note: It may take up to two months to receive your first reduction. (You’ll receive both reductions in your first check/reduction.) Depending on how your pay your Part B premium, you’ll see this reduction as a credit in your check or pension from Social Security, the US Office of Personnel Management or the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, or as a reduction in your Part B premium bill.
$0 copay when in-network for both Blue Medicare Freedom+ and federal retiree coverage, and Blue Medicare Freedom+ pays primary.
Some restrictions and limitations apply. Minimum of two hours per visit.
The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). Silver&Fit is a federally registered trademark of ASH. All programs and services are not available in all areas and are subject to change. This program includes the Standard network. Premium network may have monthly costs. Some facilities may offer limited hours.
When traveling outside the US and its territories, your federal retiree benefits will become the primary payer and Blue Medicare Freedom+ becomes secondary.
Devices must be ordered from approved product list using designated provider.
You are still required by the federal government to pay your Part B premium when enrolled in any Medicare Advantage plan; however, with Blue Medicare Freedom+ you may be eligible to receive a portion of your Part B premium back each month as a credit or reduction. See the plan for more details.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.

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