Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Indiana: Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield provides seniors in Indiana with an option of six different Medicare supplemental insurance plans. Medicare supplemental insurance, also called 'Medigap', fills in the 'gaps' left by the coverage benefits of the Original Medicare Plan. It's designed to pay for the health care expenses that Medicare doesn't pay for.

There are twelve standardized Medigap plans available to seniors in Indiana. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers Plans A through G, with Plan A consisting of the most basic Medigap benefits, and each subsequent plan consisting of the basic benefits plus one or more other benefits.

A 'standardized' plan means that Medigap plans offer the same benefits throughout Indiana, regardless of which company you choose. For example, Plan B from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield consists of the same benefits as Plan B from American Family Mutual in Indiana.

The greatest differences between Medicare supplemental insurance companies are likely to be the prices of their monthly premiums and the quality of their customer service. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been providing high-quality health insurance to millions of members for more than sixty years. They offer 24-hour support on their website and their customer service hotline is open twelve hours a day, from 8 am to 8 pm.

Medigap Supplemental Health Insurance Policies A-J for Seniors in Indiana

The following basic benefits must be offered in all Medigap policies A-J:

• The first three pints of blood in each calendar year, unless that blood is replaced.
• The total cost of in-hospital care beyond the standard 150 days covered by Medicare, until a maximum of 365 lifetime days.
• Co-insurance for days 61-90 in the hospital ($265 per day in 2008), as well as co-insurance for your 60 lifetime reserve days.
• Co-insurance benefits of 20% for charged approved by Medicare after Medicare's Part B annual deductible of $135 has been reached.

You are eligible for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Indiana's Medicare supplemental insurance plans if you are a senior (age 65 or better) and resident in Indiana, and you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.