Blue Shield of California MAPD Introduction 

Blue Shield offers Medicare HMOs Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug Plan MAPD.   MAPD  plans are mandated to cover the same basic benefits as Original Medicare plus Part D prescription drug coverage.

We offer Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego  Counties  and throughout California.

See actual Enrollment Kits including summary of benefits below  and evidence of coverage to make sure everything is up to date

• Blue Shield 65 Plus^SM (HMO),
• Inspire, Blue Shield 65 Plus^SM
• Choice Plan (HMO) and
• DHCS Options for Dual Eligibles - Medi Cal & Medicare

2026 Blue Shield Medicare Enrollment & FULL information & #Details

“FAQ’s

• Question I think it’s fairly simple — if you want the most coverage, you get Part A, B, D  Rx + Medi Gap Plan G..   Am I correct?
  • comparing Medi Gap vs MAPD.  Medi Gap though gives you MUCH more freedom of choice of doctors.
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• Question What’s the #difference between attained age, issue age and community rating?
• Answer
• View Larger Image
  • 
  • Image from Guide to choosing a Medi Gap Policy
  • Here’s our quote engine for the plans we do offer in CA.
    • UnitedHealthcare  has Community Rating  However, looking at their rate chart and 3%/year  enrollment discounts, it looks like attained age to me…
      • Email us [email protected] and we’ll send you the enrollment kit with the rates & details.
    • Transamerica has issue age – contact them directly.  We don’t represent them.  ^Source *
    • State of CA Department of Insurance Comparison Tool
      • Definitions attained ate, etc.
        • Federal Definitions
        •  CA Health Care Advocates
          • Community Rating – Glossary Same rate regardless of your age 
      • Medicare.gov  comparison tool
    • Insure Me Kevin.com Community vs Attained Age
•  FAQs / Ask Us a Question

• I’m having medically necessary treatment for varicose veins.
  •  
  • Is the procedure really medically necessary?
    • FYI Clinical Bulletin for Varicose Veins
      • Vein stripping and ligation takes about 60 to 90 minutes to perform and sometimes requires general anesthesia. Recovery time is also lengthy, usually involving two to four weeks depending on how many veins were stripped and where they were located.
      • cms.gov/ Medical Necessity Varicose Veins
    • Medicare does cover the medical treatment of varicose veins that cause symptoms and have ultrasound characteristics of chronic venous insufficiency. cleveland clinic.org/health/chronic-venous-insufficiency
  • Costs
    • Vein stripping surgery costs between $1,500 and $3,000. This cost may not include additional fees charged by the hospital or surgical center, which can increase the cost exponentially.
    • Another varicose vein-removing surgery is called ambulatory phlebectomy. During this procedure, your doctor makes tiny cuts in the skin to remove small varicose veins; usually those that are closest to the surface. The in-office procedure is done with local anesthesia and is considered much less invasive than vein stripping and ligation.
      • Ambulatory phlebectomy may cost between $1,000 and $3,000 per leg depending on the extent and number of veins removed. your plastic surgery guide.com/varicose-vein
  • A physician office visit and diagnostic ultrasound are needed to determine the medical necessity of vein treatments. Patients are encouraged to try non-medical treatment options such as exercise, weight-loss, and compression stockings (20-30mmHg) prior to medical vein procedures. As varicose vein symptoms become more severe, the likelihood that Medicare will cover the cost of treatment increases dramatically. vanish leg veins.com/does-medicare-cover-varicose-vein-treatments/