Category Archives: Plan G extra

Is Blue Shield and Blue Cross the Same Company in California? Local Focus on Medigap

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Is Blue Shield and Blue Cross the Same?

Blue Shield of California is not the same as Anthem Blue Cross. In fact, their Medicare Supplement (aka “medigap”) products compete directly against one another.

Is Blue Shield and Blue Cross the same?

By most estimates, Blue Shield of California is the market share leader for the number of medigap (medicare supplement) insurance policies issued in California.  Approximately two years ago, Blue Shield dethroned United Healthcare as #1, although United Healthcare continues to dominate across all 50 states.   An impressive accomplishment, given Blue Shield’s not-for-profit ownership status.

Further down the marketshare list is Anthem Blue Cross, who recently rebranded as Elevance Health.  Not-for-Profit Blue Shield of California has many things going for it, including…

  • Blue Shield’s unique 2% Pledge, which limits their net income to 2% of revenue. Any earnings beyond this limit are returned to customers or invested in the community.
  • Northern California location (Oakland, CA).
  • Blue Shield of California offers both regular Plan G medigap and Plan G Extra (Innovative class) medigap product choices for consumers.

Blue Shield of California’s rates are competitive, see both insurance company’s pricing and compare for yourself:

Blue Shield of California’s Leadership

While Blue Shield may enjoy a Number 1 ranking of medigap policies issued in California, no discussion is complete with mentioning a close rival, United Healthcare.  Where Blue Shield boasts not-for-profit ownership status, United Healthcare boasts a branding relationship with the largest senior advocacy organization in the United States.

Further, United Healthcare’s medigap products include the Community Rating method, in contrast to Blue Shield’s Attained Age method. As far as we can tell, no other individual medigap insurer in California prices their supplemental medigap policies based on a community rate.

How does community rating work?  This is a great question and another good question is “do some medigap insurance policies cover more doctors than others” e.g. Stanford, Sutter, Palo Alto Medical Foundation?  These issues are best discussed with a local independent agent who is contracted with Blue Shield of California, Anthem (Elevance), and United Healthcare.  Book a short consult with a licensed sales agent and save a lot of research time:  There is no obligation to buy.

Free 15-Minute Telephone Consult

You should never overpay for medigap insurance, instead, get expert advice before you enroll.  Learn the latest on Medicare access to Stanford, Sutter-PAMF etc.  In California, there’s no extra policy cost when you use a local, independent agent  and, the best news is the agent is compensated by the insurance company (not you)!   About Us

Blue Shield of California Talking Points

  • In Blue Shield of California’s words, “We’re driven by our mission — not by meeting shareholder expectations. That’s why we cap our net income at 2% of revenue and return anything above that to our customers and the communities we serve.”
  • Headquartered in Bay Area 

Additional Resources:

Book an obligation-free Telephone Consult or phone (408) 252-7300 Located in west San Jose.

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Is Blue Shield and Blue Cross the same?

The Buzz About Plan G and Plan G Extra

Choosing The Best Medigap Plan G

What’s all the Buzz about Plan G and its “medigap cousin,” Plan G Extra?  For persons turning 65 on or after January 1, 2020, Plan G replaces the hugely popular Plan F.  Early feedback is Plan G is just as popular as before, and now, in 2024 there are additional plans to consider,  the appropriately named “Plan G Extra” (or Plan G Plus or Plan G Inspire, which is being withdrawn from Blue Shield’s portfolio) the name varies according to the medicare supplement insurer who issues it).

“Breaking News:  The popular Blue Shield of California Plan G Inspire will be withdrawn from the market for new enrollments, effective 4/1/2024.”  Please use our Calendly app if you wish to schedule a discussion about this plan with one of our licensed agents.

Plan G Extra Benefits

Plan G Extra is a separate plan, distinct from the regular Plan G:  Think of it as constructed on a

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Plan G chassis or base plan, with some added benefits.  So what’s the Buzz About the Plan G “Extra” benefits?  First, the premium difference is minor.  Second, the additional benefits are for services not covered by Medicare, so these are truly “bonus” coverages e.g. Vision, Hearing
Aide, Gym services etc.  Request a Q&A phone session with one of our licensed sales agents, using Calendly.

We are a bay area family-owned insurance agency representing United Healthcare and Blue Shield of California medigap plans for 2024 and 2025.  There is no extra cost to using a local agent.  But if you want to enroll quickly without talking to an agent, go to CaliforniaEnrollment.com.

 

View Blue Shield Comparison of Plan G and Plan G Extra or Inspire

Blue Shield is one of the insurers who offer both Plan G and Plan G Extra (not every insurer offers both plans).  For FAQs on Plan G, including summary of benefits, pricing and required disclosures, phone us at 408-252-7300.  There’s no obligation to buy from this Not-For-Profit, Northern California-based insurer.  Read more about Blue Shield’s Not-For-Profit status and other Blue Shield savings below.

Blue Shield Savings

With Blue Shield, there are several opportunities to save on your monthly plan dues. One example, is the savings due to increased efficiencies from administering Medicare Supplement plans are passed on to the subscriber, not Wall Street.  Blue Shield’s Not-For-Profit status means savings for you!  Continue below to checkout the Buzz about Plan G and Plan G Extra:

Blue Shield Plan G and Plan G Extra plans

Finally, an interesting aspect of the Plan G “extra” plans is the “additional benefits” vary from insurer to insurer. In fact, many insurers do not even offer the “extra” version of Plan G. Research Tip: It costs nothing (“extra”) to hire an independent agent to explain the differences. The premium is the same with or without the agent. Moreover, the insurer compensates the agent for enrolling you.  So chat with an agent today or just self-enroll at CaliforniaEnrollment.com.  You could also use the United Healthcare Local Agent Finder tool to find someone near you.

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“We do not offer every plan available in your area.  Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.  Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.”

Medigap Supplemental Plan G FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered

Medigap Supplement Plan G FAQs

Navigating the world of Medigap plans can be overwhelming, especially with 25 Medigap Plan G

Medigap Supplemental Plan G FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered choices in the San Jose – Mountain View region alone. Plus a recent, major Plan Closure.  How does one determine which is the best choice for your situation? To help, we’ve compiled the top 5 questions from residents in Sunnyvale to Hollister.  First, make sure you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.  (If you are returning to traditional Medicare from Medicare Advantage, read this first.)

Are All Plan G Medicare Medigap Plans the Same?

At first glance, all Medigap Plan G policies might appear identical since they are standardized by the federal government. This means the core benefits remain the same regardless of the insurance company you choose. However, there are differences worth noting, particularly in how these plans are priced and the level of customer service provided.

Do Some Medigap Plan G Policies Cover More Doctors Than Others?

Medigap Plan G policies do not typically vary in terms of the doctors they cover. Most Plan G policies are accepted by any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. However, it’s always wise to confirm with your preferred healthcare providers that they accept the specific insurance company’s Medigap policy.

Do Some Medigap Plan G Policies Cover More Services Than Others?

In terms of covered services, Medigap Plan G policies are uniform across all providers. They cover the same services, including Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Part B coinsurance or copayments, the first three pints of blood for medical procedures, and more. Nevertheless, the difference lies in additional perks or services that some insurance companies might offer, such as fitness programs or discounts on vision care, which can vary.

Understanding Pricing: Community Pricing vs. Attained Age Pricing

According to Medicare.gov, only one of the 25 Medigap Plan G policies in the Santa Clara Valley has adopted Community Pricing, while most others use Attained Age Pricing. Here’s what these terms mean:

  • Community Pricing: The same monthly premium is charged to everyone, regardless of age.
  • Attained Age Pricing: Premiums are based on your current age and will increase as you get older.

Why Do Monthly Premium Costs Range So Widely?

Even though Plan G benefits are standardized for Part A and Part B medical services, the monthly premiums can vary significantly—from $100 to $188 in Santa Clara County. This difference is due to factors like the pricing method, the insurance company’s administrative costs, and additional benefits they may offer. [Read our sister article, The Buzz About Plan G and Plan G Extra, for more insights.]

Our Expertise in the Bay Area

We specialize in guiding Bay Area residents who prefer Original Medicare along with a Medigap Plan G. Particularly those who wish to retain their specialists at Sutter PAMF and Stanford Medicine. Our advisement service involves no additional premium or fees. For those who prefer an online enrollment without direct consultation, visit CaliforniaEnrollment.com.

Why Local Knowledge Matters

“We help you see what matters most between the Plan Gs, and discern what is ‘marketing fluff.’ An independent agent really makes a difference in explaining the nuances of these plans. Local is better.“

Need Immediate Assistance?

if you’re facing deadlines and need answers now, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation with us. Do not overpay or miss an important deadline.

Schedule a Consult: (408) 252-7300 or schedule a phone meeting via our calendly app.

“We help you see “what matters” most between different Plan Gs, and discern what is ‘marketing fluff.’  An independent agent really makes a difference in explaining the nuances of these plans.  A local agent is better!.”

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