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Blue Shield of California Insurance for Seniors

Blue Shield of California offers 8 out of the 12 supplemental health insurance plans for seniors in California. Medigap policies are marked by letters (A through L), with each letter corresponding to a different Medigap plan. Each letter plan is standardized, meaning that, for example, Plan J in California is the same as Plan J in Massachusetts. Blue Shield of California offers Medigap Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan J and Plan K insurance policies for seniors.

Because supplemental health insurance companies set their own monthly premiums, plans vary in price from insurer to insurer. Knowing how your insurer determines the price of your Medigap plan is important for understanding how much your plan will cost now and in the future. There are three types of pricing structures for Medigap health insurance for seniors: 1) issue-age rated, 2) community rated, and 3) attained-age rated.

Blue Shield of California uses the attained-age rated pricing method to set prices for its Medigap policies. This means that your Medigap premium is based on your age, and increases as you get older. Attained-age rated insurance policies for seniors may cost less when you're younger, but may end up costing the most as you become significantly older. Your premium may also be adjusted for inflation or other factors.

Affordable dental plans (dental PPOs) are available through Blue Shield of California's Medigap insurance for seniors. Benefits include access to one of the nation's largest dental PPO provider networks, and a 50% cost coverage on major dental services like dental surgery, veneers, and prosthetics through network and non-network providers. Blue Shield of California's insurance plans for seniors offers a range of extra benefits for members. Its health management program teaches strategies for managing health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Routine vision care discounts are offered, including a 20% discount on eyeglass frames and lenses. Round-the-clock support is available by phone through Blue Shield's NurseHelp 24/7 hotline.

Medicare SELECT policies are not available through Blue Shield of California's insurance plans for seniors. However, Blue Shield offers several ways to save money on your Medigap policy each month. New Medicare Part B members can save $10 per month for 12 months on Medicare supplemental plans for seniors. You can save $2 per month if you enroll in the automatic EasyPay option with your checking or savings account, and your monthly rate may be reduced if you and your spouse enroll in the same Blue Shield Medigap plan.