Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Discounts
Friday, December 26th, 2008
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ) has annouced that they are extending their discounts for early enrollment discounts for their portfolio of Medicare Supplement Plans.
BCBSAZ’s discount program extensions increase the duration of the Medicare Supplement discounts from 5 to 10 years and raises the eligibilty age from 65 1/2 to 67 years old. For example:
If an eligible senior enrolls in a BCBSAZ Medicare Supplement Plan at age 65 they will receive a 32% discount on the first year of premiums, a 28.8% discount on the first year of premiums for enrollment at age 66, and a 25.6% discount applicable to the first year of premiums for enrollment at age 67.
In addition, the discount amount decreases by 3.2% each year until the person reaches age 75 so long as the person is continuously enrolled in the plan.
The savings calculations are a bit confusing, but the net-net of it is, seniors tend to stay with their health plans for a long period of time, so BCBSAZ is offering an innovative incentive to get them enrolled in their Medicare Supplement plans from the beginning of Medicare eligibility.


Mark Farrah wrote a nice report on the
Revamping the maligned US health care system was a focal point of President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign, and he will now be tasked with making good on that promise amid a significant economic downturn.
Bloomberg.com reports that premiums for medicare drug coverage will rise more than 20% on average from 2008 to 2009. This expected rate increase is on the heals of another 20%+ rate increase from 2007 to 2008.
CIGNA has announced they will offer their 










