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Legacy Medigap
What is Medigap coverage?
Medigap coverage, also called Medicare supplemental coverage, is a health plan that works in conjunction with Original Medicare to expand your Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) benefits and lower your out-of-pocket costs. As your primary health coverage, Original Medicare provides comprehensive hospital and medical coverage, but it doesn't cover all health care costs and has deductibles and coinsurance that must be paid before Medicare pays benefits. Medicare also limits coverage for certain services.
Medigap plans fill in the "gaps" in Original Medicare coverage. They expand or eliminate coverage limits and, depending on the plan you select, cover all or a portion of your Medicare deductibles and coinsurances.
Like Medicare, Legacy Medigap coverage is accepted nationwide and the plan is easy to use. There are no provider networks or referrals: Just use any health care provider that accepts Medicare. Simply present your Legacy Medigap ID card along with your red, white and blue Medicare health insurance card whenever you receive health care services. We'll coordinate payment with Medicare and your health care providers. In most cases, you'll never have to bother with claim filing or paperwork.
Am I eligible for coverage?
Anyone who has Medicare Part A and Part B, resides in Michigan for at least six months of the year and has a Michigan driver's license or State ID card is eligible to enroll in the Legacy Medigap plan. You become eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65. Younger individuals may be eligible for Medicare coverage if they are disabled and meet Medicare's eligibility criteria.
Your age or health status does not affect your eligibility for Legacy Medigap coverage or premium costs.
What's covered under the Legacy Medigap plan?
Visit the Benefits page to learn more about what's covered under each Legacy Medigap plan option.
Do I also need prescription drug coverage?
You may also purchase Medicare Part D drug coverage with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's Prescription BlueSM PDP plan.
How much will my monthly premium be?
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan offers three Legacy Medigap plans, each offering different levels of benefits. All applicants pay the same premium for the plan they select.
Monthly premium, per person per month (rates effective Oct. 1, 2009; subject to change):
| Plan A | Medigap Blue | Plan C |
| $36.89 | $76.78 | $112.12 |
Monthly premium, per person per month (rates effective Oct. 1, 2009; subject to change)
In all cases, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will not reject your application based on your age or health status.
How do I enroll in Legacy Medigap?
Enrolling is easy. Find out how.
What if I want to change my coverage?
You may switch to a different Medigap policy at any time. If you choose another form of Medicare coverage, such as a Medicare Advantage plan, you must enroll during Medicare's annual open enrollment period, Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.
Because Legacy Medigap expands Original Medicare benefits, you need only one Medigap plan. If you have other coverage, such as coverage through an employer-sponsored health plan or another Medigap plan, you should not cancel that coverage until you have actually received your new ID card and are sure you want to keep Legacy Medigap coverage.
If you find that you are not satisfied with Legacy Medigap coverage, notify us by phone or write to us at:
Individual Underwriting – Mail Code BP202
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
600 E. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226-2998
If you send your Legacy Medigap ID card back to us within 30 days after you receive it, we will treat the coverage as if it had never been issued and return all of your payments, less the reasonable cost of any health services paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan during that time. You will be responsible for any deductibles or coinsurance for Medicare Part A and Part B claims or any services not covered by Original Medicare incurred during that 30-day period.
Legacy Medigap offers access to any hospital, doctor or other health care provider in the U.S. or its territories that accepts Medicare assignment. The plan does not require members to use a specified provider network. Legacy Medigap is a Medigap plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Neither Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan nor its agents are connected with Medicare.
