The bottom line: Blue Cross Blue Shield is a network of 33 companies that share a brand name, but often differ in terms of Medigap plan offerings, pricing, discounts, customer service and more. Specifics about your local BCBS company might determine whether it’s a good fit for you. Jump to: Full Review
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Insurance pros and cons
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Medigap offerings have advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Nationwide availability: BCBS companies offer Medigap policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Cons
- BCBS companies vary: Prices, plan types, extras and member experiences can vary depending on your local BCBS company.
- Medicare Select networks: BCBS' Medicare Select plans can be cheaper than standard versions, but you have to stay in-network.
Compare against other providers
🔍 AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies
Compare against other providers
🔍 AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medigap
» More options in our roundup of the best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies
Our full review
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Insurance plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer different selections of Medigap plan types depending on the state and company. There are as many as eight Medicare Supplement Insurance plan types available for purchase by any Medicare member:
Medigap Plan A — the basic benefits included in every Medigap plan without any extras.
Medigap Plan B — basic benefits plus coverage for the Medicare Part A deductible.
Medigap Plan D — a mid-cost option that covers most Medigap benefits.
Medigap Plan G — the highest-coverage option available to new Medicare members. Available as either a standard plan or a high-deductible option in some locations.
Medigap Plan K — the lowest-cost Medigap plan, with 50% coverage for most benefits.
Medigap Plan L — a low-cost option with 75% coverage for most benefits.
Medigap Plan M — coverage for most benefits, but only half of the Part A deductible.
Medigap Plan N — a plan with lower premiums but higher copays.
Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers Medigap Plan C, Medigap Plan F and the high-deductible version of Plan F in certain locations for qualifying beneficiaries who were eligible to enroll in Medicare prior to 2020. Newer Medicare members can’t buy these plans from any company.
In addition, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers plans in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin according to each state's Medigap plan standards, which differ from the standardization system used in the majority of the country.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s plan offerings vary by state. In some states, multiple BCBS companies can offer different selections of plans. Enter your ZIP code on Blue Cross Blue Shield’s website to check out the BCBS company and plan offerings available in your location.
More Nerdy Perspective
It depends. Taken all together, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans are pretty average. But BCBS is a collective of more than 30 companies, and their offerings and performance vary. You’ll need to look into your local BCBS licensee to check whether it’s a good fit. While you’re at it, consider comparing quotes from several other companies and/or working with a licensed insurance agent or broker to select the right Medigap company for you.
Medicare Select policies add network requirements
In some locations, Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer Medicare Select versions of policies in addition to the standard version.
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Select is "a type of Medigap policy sold in some states that requires you to use hospitals and, in some cases, doctors within its network to be eligible for full insurance benefits (except in an emergency)."
In exchange for the network restrictions, Medicare Select plans offer lower premiums than their non-Select counterparts.
Review the materials for a Medicare Select policy you’re considering to learn about the network limitations and in-network facility list for the policy.
Add-on coverage for dental and vision
Some plans allow you to purchase additional coverage with cost sharing for services not included in standard Medigap policies. For example, some Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans offer Anthem Extras packages, which can cover some costs for dental cleanings, dental procedures and eye exams, plus an allowance for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
These add-ons require premiums in addition to the cost of the Medigap policy. For example, Anthem Extras packages with dental and vision coverage in Georgia cost between $19 and $48.40 per month depending on the coverage level.
Cost for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medigap premiums vary depending on the BCBS licensee. In the estimates obtained for this review, BCBS’ Plan G premiums tended to be more competitive than prices for Plan N. Plan G premiums averaged about 18% higher than the least expensive alternative, and Plan N averaged about 52% higher.
- How we evaluate Medigap companies’ prices
The following price estimates were obtained for three metropolitan areas representing above-average, average and below-average costs for the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans (Plan G and Plan N):
Los Angeles: More expensive than average. Blue Shield of California is the BCBS licensee.
Atlanta: Average cost for the U.S. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is the BCBS licensee.
Dallas: Less expensive than average. BlueCross BlueShield of Texas is the BCBS licensee.
The sections below show pricing information from Blue Cross Blue Shield for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker as filed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (Note: Some Medigap prices may be higher for males.)
For comparison, each table also includes the price for the least-expensive option to buy the same plan from any company that filed prices. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield’s lowest price for Medigap Plan G in Los Angeles appears alongside the lowest price on Medicare.gov for all Plan G policies available in Los Angeles to an applicant with identical demographics.
Plan G
BCBS price | Medicare.gov lowest price | |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | $168. | $148. |
Atlanta | $166. | $139. |
Dallas | $140. | $117. |
Plan N
BCBS price | Medicare.gov lowest price | |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | $165. | $114. |
Atlanta | $177. | $98. |
Dallas | $114. | $88. |
Discounts
Here are a few examples of discounts Blue Cross Blue Shield offers to qualifying Medicare Supplement Insurance applicants:
Automatic payments: Some plans offer discounts on premiums if you set up automatic payments from your bank account.
Prepayment: Some plans offer discounts on premiums if you pay for a full year in advance.
Household: Some plans offer discounts if a spouse or household member is also enrolled in a Medigap policy from the same company.
Available discounts may vary according to factors such as your location, household status and how you apply for a policy.
Blue Cross Blue Shield member complaints
4% fewer complaints than average
Members file complaints about Medicare Supplement Insurance policies from Blue Cross Blue Shield companies at rates about 4% below the market average for all Medigap plans, according to 2022-2023 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for BCBS companies that sell Medigap policies.
NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s spending on care
83.2% for member benefits
Blue Cross Blue Shield plans spent about 83.2% of premiums on member benefits, according to the most recent annual data. (The other 16.8% went to overhead expenses like administrative costs, marketing, salaries and commissions.) For comparison, the average for all companies is 83.9%.
Medicare Supplement Insurance companies must report data on the premiums they collect and how much they spend to provide benefits for members. The minimum required by law for individual Medigap policies is 60%.
Additional benefits
Medigap plans have standardized Medicare benefits, but insurance companies can offer additional perks. Here are examples of extras included with some Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Insurance policies:
Fitness: Some plans offer SilverSneakers or similar fitness programs that can include gym memberships, fitness classes, training sessions and tracking apps.
Discount programs: Some plans offer access to programs that provide discounts on, for example, prescriptions, over-the-counter health and wellness products, vision services, eyewear, hearing services or hearing aids.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Insurance service area
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies offer Medicare Supplement Insurance policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
In total, BCBS companies cover about 3.4 million Medigap beneficiaries, and their combined share of the total Medicare Supplement Insurance market is about 27%.
Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance companies
Get more information below about some of the major Medicare Supplement Insurance companies. These insurers offer Medigap plans in most states, but specifics may vary depending on your location.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield began as two companies — Blue Cross and Blue Shield — that offered affordable health care solutions in the early 1900s and started to come together in the 1940s. It was made official in 1982 when they formed the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which now includes 33 independent and locally operated companies across the country. Nationwide, it provides health care coverage to 115 million members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has two main offices, in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
» MORE: Read our review of Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans
Find the right Medicare Supplement Insurance plan
Because Medigap plans are standardized, you can get precisely the same Medicare benefits from any company offering the plan. So when you shop, keep these considerations in mind to find the best policy to fit your needs:
Is your preferred plan available? Health insurance companies don’t always sell every plan, so check who sells the plan you want to buy in your area.
What are the premiums? Prices for the same plan can vary between companies, so check to find the most competitive rates.
Will your premiums change over time? Most policies cost more as you age, but some companies offer policies that let you lock in a price when you sign up.
Are there extras? Medigap plans’ core benefits are standardized, but in certain cases, some companies include such perks as discount programs or gym memberships.
If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).
Not yet rated
- Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- Offerings and experiences vary depending on BCBS company.
- Cheaper Medicare Select plans have network requirements.
Article sources
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.Anthem. Anthem Extras. Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 2.NerdWallet analysis of American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance data. Best Costs Medigap 2024 – Plan G. Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 3.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Find a Medigap Policy That Works For You. Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 4.National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Company Complaint Index. Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 5.National Association of Insurance Commissioners. 2023 Medicare Supplement Insurance Experience Reports (Direct Premiums Earned; Direct Claims Incurred). Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 6.Code of Federal Regulations. Title 42, Part 403, Section 215. Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
- 7.National Association of Insurance Commissioners. 2023 Medicare Supplement Insurance Experience Reports (Market Share Percentage). Accessed Feb 27, 2025.
Medicare Supplement Insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) ratings are based on pricing, discounts, plan types offered, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, consumer experience, additional perks and benefits, and more. To calculate each health insurance company's rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale, rounded to the nearest half star.
NerdWallet reviewed 15 Medicare Supplement Insurance companies based on highest enrollment and greatest online search volume. At the national level, our scored reviews include companies covering about two-thirds of all Medigap beneficiaries. At the state level, our research includes at least one of the two largest Medigap insurance companies in 48 of the 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best coverage and rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Insurer complaints methodology
We examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, we calculated a similar index for each insurance company, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary. We score companies based on this index of how many complaints the company receives relative to its market share. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Compare Medigap plans
Insurance company | NerdWallet rating | Plan types offered | NAIC complaint rate | Premium discounts available | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BEST FOR MEDIGAP PLAN OPTIONS | (844) 939-0223 / TTY 711 Call UnitedHealthcarefrom UnitedHealthcare | ||||
5.0/5 | A, B, C, F, G, K, L and N. | Far fewer than expected | Above average | ||
BEST FOR MEMBER SATISFACTION | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.0/5 | A, C, D, F, G and N. | Far fewer than expected | Below average | |
BEST FOR EXTRA BENEFITS | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 3.5/5 | A, F, G and N. | More than expected | Above average | |
BEST FOR LOW PREMIUMS | (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | ||||
 (855) 432-0512 / TTY 711 M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat 10AM-6PM ETSpeak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.orgon NerdWallet | 4.0/5 | A, F, G and N. | More than expected | Above average | |