Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) H3449-023 is a 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan or Part-C by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina available to residents in North Carolina. This plan includes extra prescription drug (Part-D) coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) has a monthly premium of $0 and has an in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit of $3,950 (MOOP). This means that if you get sick or need a high-cost procedure the co-pays are capped once you pay $3,950 out-of-pocket. This can be an extremely nice safety net.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina works with Medicare to provide significant coverage beyond Part A and Part B benefits. If you decide to sign up for Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) you still retain Original Medicare. But you will get extra Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and not Original Medicare. With 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan you are always covered for urgently needed and emergency care. Plus, you receive all the benefits of Original Medicare from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina except hospice care. Original Medicare still provides you with hospice care if you sign up for Medicare Advantage in North Carolina.

2023 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Medicare Advantage Plan Overview

What type of plan is Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS)

Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) is a Local HMO. With a health maintenance organization (HMO) you will be required to receive most of your health care from an in-network provider. Health maintenance organizations require that you select a primary care physician (PCP). Your primary care physician will serve as your personal doctor to provide all of your basic healthcare services. If you require specialized care or a physician specialist, your primary care physician will make the arrangements and inform you where you can go in the network. You will need your primary care physician approval, called a referral. Services received from an out-of-network provider are not typically covered.

With a HMO-POS point-of-service you have the option to go out-of-network or see a specialist without a referral. But, you may pay more for out-of-network care you receive than from an in-network provider.

How much does Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) cost?

Monthly Premium

A monthly premium is the fee you pay to the plan in exchange for coverage. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina charges a $0 consolidated premium. The Part C premium is $0 this charge covers Medicare medical, hospital benefits and supplemental benefits if offered. You generally are also responsible for paying the Part B premium.

Part-D Deductible and Premium

An annual deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for your prescription drugs before your plan begins to pay. Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) has a monthly drug premium of $0 and a $150.00 drug deductible. This Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plan offers a $0 Part-D Basic Premium that is Not below the regional benchmark. This covers the basic prescription benefit only and does not cover enhanced drug benefits such as medical benefits or hospital benefits. The Part D Supplemental Premium is $0. This Premium covers any enhanced plan benefits offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina above and beyond the standard PDP benefits. This can include extra coverage in the gap, lower co-payments, and coverage of non-Part D drugs. The Part D Total Premium is $0. The Part D Total Premium is the addition of supplemental and basic premiums for some plans this amount can be lowered due to negative basic or supplemental premiums.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Gap Coverage

In 2023 once you and your plan provider have spent $4660 on covered drugs. (Combined amount plus your deductible) You will be in the coverage gap. (AKA "donut hole") You will be required to pay 25% for prescription drugs unless your plan offers extra coverage. This Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina plan does offer extra coverage through the gap.

MOOP

The maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) is a yearly limit on your out-of-pocket costs. Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina MOOP is $3,950. Once you spend $3,950 you will pay nothing for Part A or Part B covered services. Copayments and coinsurance for Medicare approved services apply toward your out-of-pocket limit. Remember Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t have a MOOP.

Formulary and Drug Coverage

Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) formulary is divided into tiers or levels of coverage based on usage and according to the medication costs. Each tier will have a defined copay that you must pay to receive the drug. Drugs in lower tiers will usually cost less than those in higher tiers. By reviewing different Medicare Drug formularies, you can pick a Medicare Advantage plan that covers your medications. Additionally, you can choose a plan that has your drugs listed at a lower price.

Drug Tier	Copay Preferred Pharmacy	Copay Nonpreferred Pharmacy
Tier 1	$0	$15
Tier 2	$6	$20
Tier 3	$37	$47
Tier 4	$90	$100
Tier 5	30%	30%
Tier 6	$0	$3

The complete Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) Formulary.
*Initial Coverage Phase and 30 day supply

2023 Summary of Benefits

The benefit information provided is a summary of what Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) covers and what you pay (such as copayments and coinsurance amounts) for certain common medical events. The Summary of Benefits from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina helps get an idea of how much financial protection the plan is generally expected to provide for common health conditions. This section also contains information on coverage for in-network and out-of-network providers.

Wellness programs (e.g., fitness, nursing hotline)	Covered

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Contact lenses

In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglass frames

In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglass lenses

In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Eyeglasses (frames and lenses)

In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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Other

In-Network Vision	$25 copay

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Routine eye exam

In-Network Vision	$25 copay

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Upgrades

In-Network Vision	$0 copay

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In-Network Transportation	$0 copay
In-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	$0 per day for days 1 through 20 $196 per day for days 21 through 60 $0 per day for days 61 through 100
Out-of-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	Not Applicable

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Occupational therapy visit

In-Network Rehabilitation services	$40 copay

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Physical therapy and speech and language therapy visit

In-Network Rehabilitation services	$10 copay

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Cleaning

Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	20% coinsurance
In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Dental x-ray(s)

In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance

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Fluoride treatment

Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	20% coinsurance
In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay

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Oral exam

In-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance

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In-Network Preventive care	$0 copay
In-Network Outpatient hospital coverage	$295 copay per visit
In-Network Other health plan deductibles?	No
Optional supplemental benefits	No

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Inpatient hospital - psychiatric

In-Network Mental health services	$300 per day for days 1 through 5 $0 per day for days 6 through 90
Out-of-Network Mental health services	Not Applicable

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Outpatient group therapy visit

In-Network Mental health services	$35 copay
In-Network Mental health services	$25 copay

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Outpatient group therapy visit with a psychiatrist

In-Network Mental health services	$35 copay
In-Network Mental health services	$25 copay

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Outpatient individual therapy visit

In-Network Mental health services	$25 copay
In-Network Mental health services	$35 copay

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Outpatient individual therapy visit with a psychiatrist

In-Network Mental health services	$25 copay
In-Network Mental health services	$35 copay

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Chemotherapy

In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance

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Other Part B drugs

In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance

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Diabetes supplies

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	0-20% coinsurance per item

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Durable medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, oxygen)

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item

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Prosthetics (e.g., braces, artificial limbs)

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item

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Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs)	$5,650 In-network
Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs)	$3,950 In-network
Out-of-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	Not Applicable
In-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	$335 per day for days 1 through 5 $0 per day for days 6 through 90 $0 per day for days 91 and beyond

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Fitting/evaluation

In-Network Hearing	$0 copay

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Hearing aids

In-Network Hearing	$699-999 copay

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Hearing exam

In-Network Hearing	$25 copay
In-Network Hearing	$35 copay

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Health plan deductible	$0
In-Network Ground ambulance	$275 copay

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Foot exams and treatment

In-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	$25 copay
In-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	$35 copay

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Routine foot care

Foot care (podiatry services)	Not covered

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Emergency

Emergency care/Urgent care	$110 copay per visit (always covered)

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Urgent care

Emergency care/Urgent care	$60 copay per visit (always covered)

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Primary

In-Network Doctor visits	$0 copay

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Specialist

In-Network Doctor visits	$25 copay per visit
In-Network Doctor visits	$35 copay per visit

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Diagnostic radiology services (e.g., MRI)

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0-300 copay or 20% coinsurance

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Diagnostic tests and procedures

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0-25 copay

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Lab services

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0-5 copay

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Outpatient x-rays

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$0-15 copay

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Diagnostic services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Endodontics

In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	20% coinsurance

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Extractions

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	20% coinsurance
In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay

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Non-routine services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Periodontics

In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance

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Prosthodontics, other oral/maxillofacial surgery, other services

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	20% coinsurance
In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance

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Restorative services

In-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$0 copay or 20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	20% coinsurance

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In-Network Additional benefits and/or reduced cost-sharing for enrollees with certain health conditions?	No

Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) Reviews

Is Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) a good plan? Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) received a 4.5 overall star rating from the CMS. The CMS uses a Star Rating System to measure how well Medicare Advantage and Part D plans perform. Plans are rated on a one-to-five scale, with one star representing poor performance and five stars representing excellent performance. Medicare Advantage with prescription drug (Part D) coverage (MA-PD) contracts are rated on up to 38 unique quality and performance measures. You can use the CMS star rating to compare Blue Medicare Essential Plus Reviews among several different plans.

Staying Healthy, Screening, Testing, & Vaccines

Managing Chronic And Long Term Care for Older Adults

Member Experience with H3449-023 Health Plan

Member Complaints and Changes in Plans Performance

Health Plan Customer Service Rating for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Drug Plan Customer Service Ratings

Ratings For Member Complaints and Changes in the Drug Plans Performance

Member Experience with the Drug Plan

Drug Safety and Accuracy of Drug Pricing

Coverage Area

(Click county or state to compare all available Advantage plans)

The availability of Medicare Advantage Plans will vary according to your region. This is why the Coverage Area matters in terms of Medicare eligibility. You will always be eligible for Original Medicare, but eligibility for Blue Medicare Essential Plus (HMO-POS) requires you to live in that plan’s service area. The service area is listed below:

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Source:CMS. Data as of Oct 1, 2022.

Last updated on December 03, 2022

Notes: Data are subject to change as contracts are finalized. For 2023, enhanced alternative may offer extra cost sharing reductions in the gap on a sub-set of the formulary drugs, beyond the standard Part-D benefit. Includes 2023 approved contracts. Employer sponsored 800 series and plans under sanction are excluded.