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Originally Posted by TVTVTV
I am not yet eligible for Medicare, but will be early next year. Currently, my BCBS (FL Blue) individual Silver PPO medical insurance only covers specialists within the BCBS in-network list, so I am quite limited in my choices, and don't have my preferred specialist in the network. If I choose BCBS or any other supplement with original Medicare, am I understanding that as long as the specialist accepts original Medicare (which most do), that there is no more "in-network" to consider with a BCBS supplement? This would definitely widen the specialists I could see. I am specifically asking about supplements here, not advantage plans.
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Be careful with terminology, I have heard the term supplement referred to both as Medigap plans as well as Advantage plans. Be sure you avoid Advantage plans and focus in on Medigap plans if you want to be sure to avoid both networks and referrals. Advantage plans can appear to be both cheaper and to offer different types of fringe benefits, but we will all eventually all need some expensive medical care and not want to be constrained by networks, not have to seek out referrals, have to worry about what is covered, and have to sort through copay and deductible bills for our health care. In the long run, traditional Medicare with a Medigap and part D prescription policy are the best way to go. Best of luck with your decision.