Let's talk Medicare


Everything you need to know about Medicare, all in one place.


Download Our Guide
Register for an Info Session

You're off to a good start

Let us help you with your next steps

As you make the transition to Medicare, remember that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is always here for you. We’ve been helping our neighbors for over 90 years.

Take the right steps before your 65th birthday:

Medicare Checklist
Choose the right type of plan for your needs:

Quick Plan Comparison

Medicare Checklist

Follow these steps to get ready for Medicare before your 65th birthday:

12–6 months before:

Compare your options for getting more coverage than Original Medicare.
If you have health benefits through an employer or retiree health benefits, check with your human resources manager or benefits specialist to review your options. In some cases, if you keep your current coverage and wait until later to join Medicare, you may have fewer choices and/or pay more.

3 months before:

Sign up for Medicare Parts A & B. If you already have Social Security, you may be automatically enrolled.
Shop for a Blue Medicare AdvantageSM or Blue Medicare SupplementSM and prescription drug plan.

Birthday – 3 months after:

Last chance to enroll for coverage under the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period!
If you wait until later, enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan could require you to submit answers to health questions and possibly be denied coverage. For Medicare Advantage plans, you might face a premium surcharge required by Medicare for enrolling late on your prescription drug costs and your Part B premium.*
Find the Medicare plan that’s right for you 

Quick Plan Comparison

BlueCross NC offers two types of plans to give you more coverage than Original Medicare.

Once you know which type of plan you want, you can choose from more options to meet your health care needs and budget. Medicare Supplement plans are named by letters: A-D, F, G, and K-N. PPO, HMO, and HMO-POS are different types of managed care health insurance plans, often offered under Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Click the link below to find out more about these plan types.

Blue Medicare Advantage
All-in-one plan like the coverage you may have had before Medicare
Blue Medicare Supplement
Add to Original Medicare to give you more coverage
No referrals to see a doctor or specialist
Fitness Program with no-cost membership at participating facilities, on-demand workout videos and more**
Go to any healthcare provider nationwide that accepts Medicare PPO plans only
$0 monthly premium option†
Prescription drug option†† Offered separately (Part D plan)
Blue Medicare Advantage
All-in-one plan like the coverage you may have had before Medicare
Blue Medicare Supplement
Add to Original Medicare to give you more coverage
No referrals to see a doctor or specialist
Silver and Fit®1 program with access to fitness facilities included*
**
Go to any healthcare provider nationwide that accepts Medicare
PPO plans only
$0 monthly premium option
Prescription drug option
Offered separately
(Part D plan)
Find the Medicare plan that’s right for you 

Benefits of Buying a Blue Cross NC Plan

Network of over 60,000 doctors and facilities across the state.1
Trusted in North Carolina for over 90 years.
Local customer service.
Access health and wellness resources that address a wide range of heath needs.
Plans with coverage statewide, across the country and around the world.
Online tools to view claims and benefits and find doctors, drugs, and pharmacies.
Access health and wellness resources that address a wide range of heath needs.
* It is best to enroll when eligible unless you are remaining on your group health plan or other medical coverage that provides coverage as good as Original Medicare. Even if you are not taking prescription drugs, you should enroll in plans with this coverage to avoid late penalties in the future.
** This program includes the Standard network. Premium network may have monthly costs. The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). Silver&Fit is a federally registered trademark of ASH. The program is not part of a member’s policy or benefits and is a non-insurance offering. All programs and services are not available in all areas and are subject to change. This program includes the Standard network; Premium network may have monthly costs. ASH does not offer Blue Cross or Blue Shield products or services. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
†The federal government requires all Medicare Advantage members to continue paying their Part B premium. Some Blue Medicare AdvantageSM plans include a Part B giveback that will pay all or a portion of that premium. See plans for details.
††Prescription drug coverage offered on most Blue Medicare plans. See plan for details.
1 Blue Cross NC internal data, May 2023.
Blue Cross NC’s Blue Medicare Supplement plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Blue Medicare Supplement plans offered: Plan A: BMS A, 2/22, Plan G: BMS G, 2/22, Plan HI DED G: BMS HDG, 2/22, Plan K: BMS K, 2/22, Plan N: BMS N, 2/22.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an HMO, HMO-POS, PPO and PDP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina depends on contract renewal.
© 2024 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM are marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. All other marks and names are property of their respective owners. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Y0079_12777_M CMS Accepted 02132024
U44332, 12/23