Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio: Medicare Supplemental Insurance for Seniors

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio offers several Medicare supplemental insurance plans to suit individual health care needs. Medicare supplemental insurance is also known as 'Medigap', because it's designed to fill in the cost 'gaps' in coverage of the Original Medicare Plan. You're eligible to enroll in Anthem of Ohio's Medigap policies if you're an Ohio resident, a senior aged 65 or better, and if you're already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

The best time to apply for a Medigap policy is during your 'open enrollment period', which is the first six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B (if you are aged 65 or better at time of enrollment). During your open enrollment period, your application to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio is guaranteed acceptance for any Medicare supplement or Medicare SELECT insurance plan. In addition, no medical underwriting will be used to determine your premium or your eligibility, and your pre-existing medical conditions will receive immediate coverage.

While Medicare supplemental insurance plans are regulated on the federal and state levels, they are sold through private health insurance companies. These companies are permitted to determine and set their own monthly premiums for Medigap plans. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio uses two of the three methods commonly used to determine premium prices: the 'issue aged rated' method and the 'attained age rated' method.

Anthem of Ohio's Issue Age Plans partially base your premium on your age at the time of enrollment. The only changes to your premium will be a result of a change in overall health care costs and changes in the Medicare plans. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield offers Issue Age Plans A, C, and F for seniors in Ohio. With these plans, you have the freedom to choose any hospital, doctor, or health care provider you prefer.

With Anthem's Attained Age Plans, your premium will increase as you get older (based on the age you have 'attained'). Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Ohio offers Attained Age Plans A-G. As with the Issue Age Plans, you are free to use any hospital, doctor, or health care provider with these Medigap policies that you'd like.

Anthem also offers Medicare SELECT plans to Ohio residents. Medicare SELECT is an alternative Medicare supplemental insurance plan that gives you the same benefits as traditional Medigap policies, but with a lower monthly premium. In exchange, you are required to choose doctors and health care specialists from within Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's provider network. You are exempt from using a network provider in emergency situations, or when the health care specialist you need is not available through Anthem of Ohio's provider network.