As of June 1, 2010 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is offering new Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans G and N. Members and those considering Plans G and N can enroll at anytime; there are no specific enrollment periods or deadlines. The changes to the configuration of Medicare Supplement plans are the result of the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008” (MIPPA), which took effect on June 1.

All plans sold after June 1 have an enhanced hospice benefit, which includes coverage for some outpatient prescription medications and copayments and coinsurance for inpatient respite care, which were previously the responsibility of the insured.

These 2 plans are essentially replacing Plans D and E. Plan D is comparable to plan G but not quite as popular a plan. Plan E is a casualty of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and can no longer be sold by any company. Folks who currently have Plan D or E from BCBS of IL are “grandfathered” in and can keep these plans because they are guaranteed renewable for life.
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Tags: BCBSIL Plan G, BCBSIL Plan N, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois New Medicare Supplement Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois 2010 Medicare Plans 2010