Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Medicare Supplement plan?

A Medicare Supplement insurance plan helps cover the “gaps” in coverage that are left unpaid after Original Medicare pays its portion of your healthcare expenses. For this reason, these plans are often called “Medigap” plans. Medicare Supplement policies pay only for services Medicare considers medically necessary. Payments are generally based on the Medicare-approved charge. The policy might not fully cover all of your medical costs.

Medicare Supplement policies are available from private insurance companies. While the costs of these policies may vary, individual insurance companies must provide the same standardized benefits as outlined by law.

What doesn’t a Medicare Supplement plan cover?

In general, Medigap policies don’t cover any costs other than your cost sharing for Parts A and B, like deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance. For example, they do not cover long-term care (like nursing home care), routine vision, dental, or hearing care, hearing aids, eye glasses, or private-duty nursing.

What Medicare Supplement plans does BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offer?

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers plans A, D and F.

Am I eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan?

If you're enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you're probably eligible to buy a Medicare Supplement policy. During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period - for people 65 or older, that's six months after you sign up for Medicare Part B - a company must allow you to buy any Medicare Supplement plan offered.

Does a Medicare Supplement plan replace Original Medicare?

Medicare Supplement plans are purchased in addition to your Original Medicare benefits.

What are the enrollment dates for Medicare Supplement plans?

There are no specific enrollment dates for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. The best time to buy a plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period which lasts 6 months. It starts on the first day of the month in which you are BOTH age 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B. Once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts it cannot be changed. During this period you cannot be denied coverage, nor made to wait before coverage begins.

What if my Medicare Supplement open enrollment period is over?

You can still apply for a Medicare Supplement plan after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period has expired. However, your application may be subject to medical underwriting (i.e. a review of your medical history and current health) unless you qualify under guaranteed issue rights.

You also may have the right to buy a Medicare Supplement policy outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period if you lose certain types of health coverage. In general, this right is for 63 days from the date coverage ends or from the date you receive notice that your coverage will end. You must provide proof of the loss of your previous coverage. Otherwise, applying after your guaranteed acceptance period has expired may subject your application to medical underwriting which will help determine if your application will be accepted.

How can I enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?

For details on how to enroll, visit our Enroll Now page.

When does my Medicare Supplement coverage begin?

In general, your coverage begins on the first day of the month after BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee receives your completed application - unless you request a later effective date, or you enrolled prior to your Medicare Part A or B effective date.

Can my membership in BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Medicare Supplement Plan be cancelled?

Medicare Supplement coverage is guaranteed renewable, which means BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee cannot cancel your policy because of your age or health. You may be involuntarily disenrolled from the plan only under the following circumstances:

• Your Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B coverage ceases.
• You fail to pay any monthly plan premium.

Do I have to take a physical examination when I enroll in BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Medicare Supplement Plans?

No, but you may need to answer health questions during enrollment. Responses to medical questions are not required if you are enrolling during open enrollment or qualify for guaranteed issue.

How do I pay my premiums?

In addition to the monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare, you pay a premium to the insurance company that provides your coverage. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offers several ways to pay, including automatic bank account withdrawal or credit card.

Will my premium change?

Your monthly premiums are based on your age as of January 1 the year your coverage becomes effective. Your monthly premiums will increase each year based on your age, in addition to any other increases in premiums required.

Do I have to use certain doctors?

No. With a Medicare Supplement plan, you have the flexibility to choose any doctor or hospital who accepts Medicare.

How can I find out which services are covered by the plan I am most interested in?

Medicare Supplement policies are standardized into three plans, labeled “A,” “D” and “F,” each with its own set of benefits. Plan A covers the most basic benefits: coinsurance for hospitalization plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end; coinsurance or copayments for medical expenses like doctor office visits and outpatient services; and, if you require blood transfusion, coverage for the first three pints of blood you receive. Plans D and F cover all the services of Plan A, plus more additional costs such as coinsurance for a skilled nursing facility, your Part A deductible, or your Part B deductible.

Click here to learn more about the benefits available.  

Are prescription drugs covered by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Medicare Supplement Plans?

No. If you’re buying a Medicare Supplement plan and want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. Some supplement plans sold before 2006 included drug coverage; people who had already purchased those plans were allowed to keep the same coverage. Click here to learn more about BlueRx, our prescription drug plan.