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Choosing the Right Health Insurance Company Matters

Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans must offer the same basic features, regardless of the health insurance provider. That means there are two things that could make a big difference for you - the health insurance carrier you choose and the extra benefits included in your plan.

Just think of all the ways your insurance carrier can affect your health care coverage:

• Guaranteed acceptance for those enrolled in Medicare* – not all companies will guarantee your acceptance into a plan
• Early Enrollment Discount (Medigap only) – some carriers offer a discount if you enroll by a certain date
• Cost – you can pay different premium costs for the same plan, depending on the carrier. Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance may vary as well.
• Extras – though the basics are the same, some plans include benefits that are above and beyond what Medicare covers
• Drugs covered (Part D or MA-PD) – some plans pick and choose which Medicare-approved drugs to cover, while others cover all approved drugs
• Reimbursement – Some health insurance carriers may require you to pay for your health care services first and then get reimbursed
• Range of plans offered
• Local customer service
• Financial stability
• Solid reputation
• History in the area
• Trust

Before enrolling in a plan – whether it's Medigap, Medicare Advantage or Part D - you should carefully research the health insurance companies that provide that plan. When you do, we believe you'll discover that Medi-CareFirst and its affiliate CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield** offer the features that matter to you. We have a long history in the area and local offices to help you with your health insurance needs and questions.

*If you have had more than a 63-day break in health coverage, you may be subject to a 90-day waiting period.

**Medigap plans are offered by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.