Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement Standard Plans

• General Information on Medicare Supplement
• Choosing a Medigap Policy (PDF)
• Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah Medicare Supplement Advantages
• Plan Highlights
• Summary of Medicare Supplement Coverage Plans A-G (PDF)
• What is Not Covered
• Medicare Supplement Program Book (complete guide to coverage) (PDF)
• Rates
• Apply for Coverage
• Regence Advantages
• Regence Life and Health Medicare Script™ Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

General Information on Medicare Supplement

Medicare Insurance is GREAT Insurance. Considering the long list of benefits that Medicare provides compared to the relatively small monthly premium ($96.40 standard Part B premium in 2009), Medicare coverage is one of the greatest bargains in health insurance today. However, Medicare doesn't cover everything. It has gaps in its coverage, some of which could be devastating to the individual who becomes sick and does not have a Medicare Supplement/Medigap insurance plan.

Serious Gaps in Medicare's Coverage. Three of the most serious gaps are (1) the Part A (Hospital) deductible of $1068 (in 2009) per incident that must be paid when a beneficiary enters a hospital, (2) the Part B Coinsurance of 20 percent that must be paid when the beneficiary receives Medicare benefits outside of a hospital, and (3) coverage for prescription drugs.

Depending on the plan selected, Medicare Supplement plans are designed to cover most of these and many other kinds of medical expenses not covered by Medicare. For further information we suggest you read, "Medicare and You 2010" (PDF).

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah Medicare Supplement Advantages

When it comes to Medicare Supplement plans Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah, Regence BCBSU, has distinct advantages not enjoyed by other insurance companies:

1. Local Company - Local Office. Our office in Salt Lake City provides you with the opportunity to sit down with our trained Customer Service employees to discuss any questions or concerns about your Medicare or Medicare Supplement coverage.
2. Worldwide Name Recognition. Wherever you travel, your Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah member card will be instantly recognized and honored.

Plan Highlights

Seven Standard Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Select. Utah State Department of Insurance (DOI) determined that (1) each of the plans would have specific benefits, and (2) regardless of which company sold the plans, the "A-G" plans sold by one insurance company would have exactly the same benefits as the "A-G" plans sold by another insurance company. All companies selling Medicare Supplement plans in Utah were required to sell Plan A, but they had their choice of selling any or all of the remaining plans. Subsequently, the DOI approved the sale of several additional types of Medicare Supplement plans in Utah, including Medicare Select insurance plans.

Summary of Medicare Supplement Coverage - Plans A-G (PDF)

What is Not Covered
If you are age 65 or older and you enroll within six months of your Medicare Part B effective date, you are not subject to any Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah underwriting requirements.

No benefits are provided for:

• Private duty nursing
• Services excluded by Medicare
• Custodial nursing home costs
• Intermediate nursing home costs
• Home health care if the patient is not homebound
• Services considered not medically necessary
• Dental care, dentures, physicals, routine immunizations, cosmetic surgery, routine care examinations, for the cost of hearing aids or eyeglasses except when eyeglasses are required following cataract surgery (does not apply if you have purchased the preventive package)
• Injuries or disease covered by Workers Compensation or other liability insurance which is primary
• Services provided by an employer-sponsored program or service covered under federal, state or local laws
• Disease contracted or injury sustained as a result of war
• Service or supplies not ordered by an attending physician
• Services of blood donors
• Services to a subscriber confined to a hospital or extended care facility on the effective date, so long as subscriber is continuously confined
• Services covered and paid, or which could have been covered and paid by Medicare

Please refer to Medicare Supplement Program Book (PDF) for complete Plan Summaries.

Regence Advantages

Regence Life and Health Medicare Script™ Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
Need a separate plan for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage? Learn more about our new plan, Regence Life and Health Medicare Script™. This plan is available in all Utah counties.

Rates

The rates (PDF) for all Regence Medicare Supplement plans are subject to change once each year, typically effective August 1, and apply to all plans regardless of the date coverage begins. You may also experience a rate change when you move from one age category to another.

• Monthly Premium Rates For Medicare Supplement A-G
• Quarterly Premium Rates for Medicare Supplement A-G

Monthly Premium Rates for Medicare Supplement A-G
Eligible for Medicare Based on Age - Effective August 1, 2009*

Quarterly Premium Rates for Medicare Supplement A-G
Eligible for Medicare Based on Age - Effective August 1, 2009*

*Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah can only raise your premium if we raise the premium for all policies like yours in the state.

Medicare Supplement Program Book (complete guide to coverage) (PDF)

Apply for Coverage
We offer four easy ways to apply for Medicare Supplement coverage:

1. Online shopping and application tool. This online application walks you through the application step-by-step so all required fields are completed and you simply submit the application electronically. Once registered, you can check back and view your application status online.
   
   
2. Download the application. If you'd rather fill out the forms by hand, here's where you can find application instructions and links to download plan forms.
   
   
3. Stop by our Salt Lake City office or call us. Phone (801) 333-2510, or toll-free 1 (800) 662-9585. We'll be happy to mail the forms and brochures to you to complete.
   
   
4. Shop with one of our agents. We can have one of our local agents give you a call. They can help you determine the plan that's best for you and your family. There is no extra cost and an independent agent can often give you additional insights into the plan that may benefit you.