Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York: Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)

Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York offers various Medicare supplemental insurance plans (also called 'Medigap' plans) to meet the needs of senior residents. Medigap insurance is designed to minimize the out-of-pocket expenses associated with the Original Medicare Plan. Medigap plans pay for many of the things that Medicare doesn't, such as coinsurance, deductibles, and skilled nursing care.

With Empire Blue Cross's Medigap plans, you're free to use any doctor, hospital, or health care specialist you choose. You are eligible for a Medicare supplemental insurance plan if you are a senior aged 65 or better, a resident of New York, and already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You may also be eligible if you are under age 65 but have certain disabilities, or if you have end-stage renal disease. In both cases, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B before gaining acceptance into a Medigap policy.

There are seven Medicare supplemental insurance plans available through Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York: Plans A, B, C, F, H, K, and L. Each plan contains at least the benefits contained in Plan A, plus one or more additional benefits in subsequent plans. The most basic benefits contained in Medigap Plan A through Empire Blue Cross are:

• Supplement of your Medicare coverage for paid-in-full hospital accommodation (with semi-private room and board) until your Medicare benefits are exhausted.
• Paid-in-full hospital coverage for up to 365 additional lifetime days.
• Coverage of the 20% copayment required by Medicare Part B, for services including: diagnostic tests, doctors' visits, surgery, and most other medical expenses.

The other six Medigap plans offered by Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New York offer these and additional benefits for senior residents of New York.

Empire Blue Cross will not use medical underwriting to determine your eligibility for a Medicare supplemental insurance plan or determine your monthly premium.