Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. UnitedHealthcare 2024 (2024)

Offered by private insurance companies who contract with Medicare, Medicare Advantage (also called Part C) plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare plus additional benefits like vision, dental and hearing services and, in many cases, Part D prescription drug coverage. You can switch to a private Medicare Advantage plan after you enroll in Original Medicare.

There are a number of Medicare Advantage plan types available, including:

• Health maintenance organizations (HMO). While HMO plans tend to have the lowest premiums, beneficiaries are required to see providers within the network and obtain referrals to see specialists.
• Preferred provider organizations (PPOs). Premiums for PPO plans are usually higher than those of HMO plans, but beneficiaries can receive care from out-of-network providers and see specialists without referrals.
• Special needs plans (SNPs). SNP plans are designed for people with certain health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. With an SNP plan, beneficiaries need to receive care from providers in the SNP network and work with a primary care physician or care coordinator to get specialist referrals.
• Private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans. PFFS plans determine how much to pay medical providers, as well as the beneficiary’s cost for care. PFFS plans don’t require a PCP referral to see specialists.
• Medicare savings accounts (MSAs). MSAs are a combination of a medical savings account and high-deductible health insurance plan. Plan policyholders receive a set amount of money each year for health care expenses before they meet their deductible; this money is deposited into their MSA account at the beginning of the year.

It’s important to be mindful of recent reports of inappropriate denials for tests and procedures that some Medicare Advantage policyholders have faced. Another reported issue with Medicare Advantage plans include predatory marketing tactics.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Medicare Advantage plans are provided by a collective of 33 independently managed companies, many of which are specific to certain geographic areas and target local members. These plans are available in 48 states, as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Beneficiaries can choose from HMO, PPO, regional PPO and private fee-for-service plans.

How Much Do Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?

If you opt for a BCBS Medicare Advantage plan, you continue to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium ($174.70 in 2024). If you receive a monthly Social Security payment this premium is automatically deducted from that payment. You may also potentially have to pay a separate monthly premium for your Medicare Advantage plan. While costs depend on your location and the particular plan you choose, many plans have no monthly premiums or low ones. Additional out-of-pocket expenses to consider include copayments and coinsurance, and out-of-network and out-of-pocket maximums.

Here’s a look at the plans offered in Ohio through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield as an example.

What Are Some Benefits of Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage Plans?

There are a number of perks associated with BCBS Medicare Advantage plans, including:

• Robust coverage and a large provider network. Most plans offer prescription drug coverage, as well as dental, vision and hearing benefits. Beneficiaries can also enjoy access to an extensive network of doctors and hospitals.
• Affordability. Some plans offer no monthly premiums or low ones. Depending on the plan, lower annual deductibles, copayments and coinsurance may be available as well.
• Value-added benefits. BCBS plans offer its beneficiaries a variety of value-added benefits, including credits for over-the-counter medications, gym memberships, concierge pharmacy services and member health events.

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UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans with the AARP name attached. However, you don’t need to be a member of AARP to enroll and can choose from HMO, PPO and SNP plans. While UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans all come from UnitedHealthcare rather than other affiliate companies, plan availability and prices depend on the state in which you live.

How Much Do UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Cost?

In addition to paying the monthly Medicare Part B premium, which is $174.70 in 2024, you may be required to pay a separate monthly premium for your UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan. The plan you choose, as well as where you’re located, determines out-of-pocket costs like copays, out-of-pocket maximums and prescription drug coverage.

An HMO-POS stands for a Health Maintenance Organization with a Point-of-Service option and has a network of providers you can use for services and requires you to choose a PCP but also allows you to use providers outside of the network if you’d like.

For instance, below are prices for plans offered in ZIP code 44236 outside Cleveland, Ohio.

What Are Some Benefits of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage?

The most noteworthy advantages of a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan include:

• UCards. A UCard allows beneficiaries to check in at a gym or fitness center, fill a prescription, pay utility bills and spend any rewards they earn. They can also schedule provider visits and buy over-the-counter products with a UCard.
• The Renew Active by UnitedHealthcare program. Renew Active by UnitedHealthcare is a fitness program that comes with a free gym membership, an online brain health program and access to thousands of digital workouts.
• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Credit. The OTC credit can save beneficiaries money on a variety of OTC products at stores like CVS, Walgreens and Kroger. You simply use a barcode on the back of the UCard to pay for purchases.

Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare offer similar Medicare Advantage plans. But while Blue Cross Blue Shield is made of 33 independent companies that provide coverage in various parts of the U.S., United Healthcare is a single company that uses the AARP name and is available for AARP members and non-members.

Both Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage offer HMO and PPO plans, but Blue Cross Blue Shield stands out for its PFFS plans while UnitedHealthcare distinguishes itself with its SNP plans.

When it comes to provider networks, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage is a network with over 1.7 million doctors and hospitals. United Healthcare’s Medicare Advantage network covers over 1.3 million health care providers and 6,700 hospitals and care facilities.

No matter which company you choose, you can potentially enjoy extra benefits like free gym memberships, credits for OTC medications and home-delivered meals after some hospital stays.

The ideal Medicare Advantage provider for you depends on your budget, health status and coverage preferences.

If you’re interested in a PFFS plan that doesn’t require a primary care provider for specialist referrals and you don’t want to worry about staying in network, Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage is likely your best bet. Meanwhile, if you prefer a SNP because you have a chronic health condition like diabetes or heart disease or have Medicaid, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage is worth exploring. Since plans by both companies vary by location, it’s important to compare offerings in your particular ZIP code.

“Because Medicare Advantage plans change by state and further within their counties, I don’t believe you can get a fair generic comparison,” says Elisa K. Ball, a certified and licensed Medicare insurance agent and advisor in Florida. “For example, both companies serve their clients very well in Palm Beach County, Florida. When I work with my clients in many different counties in Florida, Blue Cross Blue Shield is often not selected when we compare them with other providers. However, in Tennessee, they are the strongest Medicare Advantage PPO insurance company,” she adds.