Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) Medicare Supplement Review

Pros and Cons :

  • Extensive Coverage
  • Comprehensive Portfolio
  • Strategic Expansion
  • Focus on Innovation
  • Additional Health and Wellness Benefits

  • Limited Geographic Reach
  • Limited Availability of Plans
  • Regional Variations in Premium Costs

Overall Rating: 4.5/5
4.5/5
Rating Stability: 4/5
4/5
Financial Stability: 5/5
5/5
Coverage Area: 5/5
5/5
Competitive Rates: 4/5
4/5

Our Take

Our take on the HCSC acquisition of CIGNA is positive overall. HCSC's extensive coverage and comprehensive portfolio, coupled with its strategic expansion efforts and focus on innovation, bode well for enhancing healthcare options for a broader range of individuals. While there are considerations such as limited geographic reach and availability of certain plans, HCSC's strong financial stability and competitive rates make it a reliable choice for those within its coverage area. Overall, we believe this acquisition strengthens HCSC's position in the market and benefits both current and potential policyholders.

Discover HCSC, a leader in customer-centric healthcare, serving over 22 million individuals nationwide with tailored health plans for employers, individuals, families, and Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. Beyond insurance, HCSC offers pharmacy solutions, life and dental coverage, and more through its extensive network. Recently acquiring Cigna's Medicare businesses and CareAllies division, HCSC is committed to advancing healthcare through strategic expansion and innovation.

 

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this carrier review is for general information purposes only. Discounts and offers may vary by state and may not be fully detailed in this article found on our website. For more information on the discounts available in your state, please contact us at 1-888-559-0103.

The Health Care Service Corporation stands as the premier customer-owned health insurance provider in the nation, catering to over 22 million individuals nationwide. They offer a diverse range of health plans tailored for employers, individuals, families, as well as Medicare and Medicaid recipients. Beyond insurance coverage, they extends its reach with supplementary health services including pharmacy solutions, life and dental insurance, and cutting-edge health technology through its extensive network of affiliates and subsidiaries.

 

HCSC Medicare Supplement Plan

 

Discover HCSC

Beyond mere insurance coverage, HCSC’s comprehensive portfolio encompasses a spectrum of healthcare solutions designed to enhance the overall well-being of its members. From pharmacy solutions to life and dental insurance, they ensure holistic care delivery through its network of affiliates and subsidiaries. Moreover, embracing cutting-edge health technology, it remains at the forefront of innovation, continuously striving to redefine the standards of healthcare excellence.

 

 

Where HCSC Being Offered

Health Care Service Corporation, the leading customer-owned health insurer nationwide, serves approximately 18 million members across Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. In its expansion efforts, HCSC aims to introduce Medicare plans to an additional 99 counties within these states in the upcoming year.

 

HCSC Map

 

HCSC to Expand Medicare Offerings with Acquisition of Cigna’s Medicare Businesses

Exciting news has emerged in the healthcare industry as HCSC, a trusted name in health insurance, has announced its agreement to acquire Cigna’s Medicare businesses and CareAllies division. This strategic move aims to enrich HCSC’s capabilities and expand its reach, particularly within the thriving Medicare segment.

 

Exploring the Benefits of CareAllies from Cigna

CareAllies, a company under Cigna, helps healthcare groups move towards value-based care. They recently announced that all nine accountable care organizations (ACOs) they work with scored 85 or higher in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), showing exceptional performance. These ACOs, which care for 160,000 Medicare patients across the country, improved their scores for the second year in a row with CareAllies’ help. 

 

CareAllies focused on these three key areas to enhance healthcare for patients:

  • Scheduling Early Wellness Visits: CareAllies made sure that patients receive annual wellness visits at the beginning of the year, which helps promote timely and preventive care.

 

  • Accurate Risk Reporting: By capturing detailed patient demographics, health conditions, and spending patterns, CareAllies assisted in accurately assessing patient risks for better care planning.

 

  • Proper Utilization of Healthcare Facilities: During the pandemic, CareAllies ensured that home health and nursing facilities were used appropriately, providing necessary care while minimizing risks.

 

Exploring the Extra Health and Wellness Benefits

HCSC is affiliated with Blue Cross and Blue Shield and focuses on offering top-notch healthcare services to their members.

Blue Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans provide more than just the basic insurance benefits. They offer additional health and wellness benefits to their customers. These benefits are only offered in Illinois.

 

  • 24/7 NURSE LINE:

If you’re a Blue Medicare Supplement Insurance member, you can call a registered nurse any time, day or night, to get help with your health questions.

 

  • HEARING:

With Blue Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, you can get help with your hearing. Schedule regular hearing check-ups and even get assistance with hearing aids.

 

  • BLUE365:

Enjoy savings on exercise gear, gym memberships, eye exams, glasses, contacts, and more. Check out the Blue365 website regularly to see the latest deals. Remember, Blue365 is only for BCBSIL members with active health plan coverage. It’s not insurance, but it can help you save on certain services and products.

 

Additional Benefits Included in Plus Medicare Supplement Plans

  • DENTAL

Blue Medicare Supplement Plus plans include coverage for preventive and restorative dental care.

 

  • VISION

Blue Medicare Supplement Plus plans offer coverage for regular eye checkups and include an allowance for purchasing frames, lenses, or contact lenses.

 

  • SILVERSNEAKERS® FITNESS PROGRAM

Blue Medicare Supplement Plus offers the SilverSneakers Fitness Program to support your health and fitness aims. Members can access numerous participating locations nationwide, some of which provide group exercise sessions led by qualified trainers. Additionally, members can enjoy live virtual classes and hundreds of On-Demand classes through SilverSneakers.

 

Exploring HCSC’s Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap Plans

  • Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.

 

  • Medicare Part D

Part D of Medicare aids in covering expenses related to prescription medications, potentially reducing your financial burden and safeguarding against increased costs.

 

  • Medicare Supplemental Plan Benefits (Medigap Plan

A Medigap policy is a type of health insurance offered by private companies to cover the healthcare costs that are not covered by the Original Medicare Plan. It helps you with expenses such as deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance, which are not covered by Medicare. 

 

If you have a Medigap policy along with Original Medicare, both will pay their portion of the healthcare costs. To buy a Medigap policy, you must have Medicare Part A and B and pay a monthly premium. If you keep paying the premium, the policy will be renewed every year, and you will continue to be covered.

When it comes to choosing Medicare Supplement Plans, the options available to you depend on where you live and the insurance companies that offer plans in your state. Most states offer a range of plans from Plan A to Plan N, but Plan F is an exception. In 2020, there were changes to Plan F availability. If you were already enrolled in Plan F, you can keep it, but new Medicare recipients cannot choose this plan anymore. This means if you are a new enrollee, you will need to explore other plans to find the one that works best for you. Don’t worry; there are still plenty of other options available to you.

 

We have developed a straightforward chart that will aid you in comparing the existing plans, enabling you to determine which one aligns better with your healthcare needs.

 

 

Medicare Supplement  Plan Premium Average Cost Monthly

Rates can vary based on where you live. We have provided illustrative rates, and you might find your location cheaper or more expensive.

 

  • The below rates were generated from ZIP code 73036 in EL RENO, OK, for  males and females aged 65. Rates vary based on ZIP Code, Gender, Age, and, in some areas, Health.

 

PLAN

MALE

FEMALE

Plan F

$179.50

$180.79

Plan G

$154.21

$150.32

Plan N

$106.07

$103.91

 

  • The below rates were generated from ZIP code 59901 in KALISPELL, MT, for males and females aged 65. Rates vary based on ZIP Code, Gender, Age, and, in some areas, Health.

 

PLAN

MALE

FEMALE

Plan F

$232.88

$251.74

Plan G

$184.00

$184

Plan N

$115.49

$117.04

 

  • The below rates were generated from ZIP code 60618 in CHICAGO, IL, for males and  females aged 65. Rates vary based on ZIP Code, Gender, Age, and, in some areas, Health.

 

PLAN

MALE

FEMALE

Plan F

$229.99

$227.71

Plan G

$162.99

$162.22

Plan N

$105.32

$105.32

 

In Summary

HCSC, a leading force in customer-centric healthcare innovation, serves over 22 million individuals across the US. Offering tailored health plans for various groups, including employers, individuals, families, and Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries, Health Care Service Corporation ensures comprehensive coverage and holistic care.

Beyond insurance, Health Care Service Corporation provides pharmacy solutions, life and dental insurance, and other healthcare services through its network. With a focus on innovation, Health Care Service Corporation recently acquired Cigna’s Medicare businesses and CareAllies division, aiming to enhance its capabilities and reach in the Medicare segment. This move reflects HCSC’s commitment to improving healthcare through strategic expansion and innovation.

To gain further insights about Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), feel free to reach out to one of our reliable representatives. Prefer to chat by phone? Give us a call at 1-888-559-0103.