Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin: Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin offers a range of Medicare supplemental insurance plans (also known as Medigap plans) to senior residents. The best time to apply for a Medigap plan is during your 'open enrollment period'. This is the six-month window of time after you are a) at least age 65, and b) have enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, Medigap insurance companies cannot refuse your policy application. They also cannot use medical underwriting to review your medical history, and determine your eligibility or monthly premiums based on your health history.

In some cases, you may also be eligible for what are called 'guaranteed issue rights'. These serve a separate function from the open enrollment period and give you the right to enroll in a Medicare supplemental insurance policy regardless of your health status, or if your other health insurance plan comes to an end. Instances when guaranteed issue rights apply include, but are not limited to:

• Your Medicare Advantage or Medicare cost plan stops participating in Medicare, or terminates coverage in your service area.
• You terminate your contract with your current insurance provider because they have failed to fulfill the obligations of their contract with you.
• Your insurance coverage through your employer is ended in part or in full.

In addition to Medigap Plan A, which is the standard Medigap plan in Wisconsin and offers the basic Medigap benefits, you can choose from a variety of plans for your individual coverage needs. Additional coverage options include expenses like emergency health care for foreign travel, skilled nursing facility care, and deductibles for Parts A and B.

As of January 1, 2006, Medicare supplemental insurance policies may no longer offer coverage for prescription drug benefits, a change mandated by federal law. In place of Medigap's prescription drug policies, a new branch of Medicare - Medicare Part D - has been created to cover prescription requirements. For the convenience of their clients, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wisconsin offers Medicare Part D plans in addition to their selection of Medigap policies.