Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) H5526-022 is a 2023 Medicare Advantage Plan or Part-C by Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY available to residents in New York. This plan includes extra prescription drug (Part-D) coverage. Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) has a monthly premium of $0 and has an in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit of $8,300 (MOOP). This means that if you get sick or need a high-cost procedure the co-pays are capped once you pay $8,300 out-of-pocket. This can be an extremely nice safety net.

Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY works with Medicare to provide significant coverage beyond Part A and Part B benefits. If you decide to sign up for Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) you still retain Original Medicare. But you will get extra Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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 Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY except hospice care. Original Medicare still provides you with hospice care if you sign up for Medicare Advantage in New York.

2023 Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY Medicare Advantage Plan Overview

What type of plan is Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO)

Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) is a Local PPO. A preferred provider organization (PPO) is a Medicare plan that has created contracts with a network of "preferred" providers for you to choose from at reduced rates. You do not need to select a primary care physician and you do not need referrals to see other providers in the network. Offering you a little more flexibility overall. You can get medical attention from a provider outside of the network, but you will have to pay the difference between the out-of-network bill and the PPOs discounted rate.

How much does Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) cost?

Monthly Premium

A monthly premium is the fee you pay to the plan in exchange for coverage. Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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. Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) has a monthly drug premium of $0 and a $350.00 drug deductible. This Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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 Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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.

Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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 Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY plan does not offer extra coverage through the gap.

MOOP

The maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) is a yearly limit on your out-of-pocket costs. Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) by Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY MOOP is $8,300. Once you spend $8,300 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

Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) 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	$2	$7
Tier 2	$14	$19
Tier 3	$42	$47
Tier 4	$94	$100
Tier 5	27%	27%

The complete Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) Formulary.
*Initial Coverage Phase and 30 day supply

2023 Summary of Benefits

The benefit information provided is a summary of what Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) covers and what you pay (such as copayments and coinsurance amounts) for certain common medical events. The Summary of Benefits from Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY 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

Vision	Not covered

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Eyeglass frames

Vision	Not covered

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Eyeglass lenses

Vision	Not covered

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Eyeglasses (frames and lenses)

Vision	Not covered

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Other

Vision	Not covered

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Routine eye exam

In-Network Vision	$25 copay
Out-of-Network Vision	20% coinsurance

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Upgrades

Vision	Not covered

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Transportation	Not covered
In-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	$0 per day for days 1 through 20 $196 per day for days 21 through 100
Out-of-Network Skilled Nursing Facility	50% per stay

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Occupational therapy visit

In-Network Rehabilitation services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Rehabilitation services	50% coinsurance

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Physical therapy and speech and language therapy visit

In-Network Rehabilitation services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Rehabilitation services	50% coinsurance

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Cleaning

Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance
In-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay

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Dental x-ray(s)

Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance
In-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay

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Fluoride treatment

Preventive dental	Not covered

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Oral exam

In-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance

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In-Network Preventive care	$0 copay
Out-of-Network Preventive care	50% coinsurance
In-Network Outpatient hospital coverage	$475 copay per visit
Out-of-Network Outpatient hospital coverage	50% coinsurance per visit
In-Network Other health plan deductibles?	No
Optional supplemental benefits	No

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Inpatient hospital - psychiatric

Out-of-Network Mental health services	50% per stay
In-Network Mental health services	$395 per day for days 1 through 4 $0 per day for days 5 through 90

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Outpatient group therapy visit

In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Mental health services	50% coinsurance

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Outpatient group therapy visit with a psychiatrist

In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay
Out-of-Network Mental health services	50% coinsurance

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Outpatient individual therapy visit

Out-of-Network Mental health services	50% coinsurance
In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay

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Outpatient individual therapy visit with a psychiatrist

Out-of-Network Mental health services	50% coinsurance
In-Network Mental health services	$40 copay

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Chemotherapy

Out-of-Network Medicare Part B drugs	50% coinsurance
In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance

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Other Part B drugs

In-Network Medicare Part B drugs	20% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Medicare Part B drugs	50% coinsurance

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Diabetes supplies

Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	50% coinsurance per item
In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	$0 copay

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

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	0-20% coinsurance per item
Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	50% coinsurance per item

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

In-Network Medical equipment/supplies	20% coinsurance per item
Out-of-Network Medical equipment/supplies	50% coinsurance per item

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Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs)	$12,450 In and Out-of-network $8,300 In-network
In-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	$400 per day for days 1 through 5 $0 per day for days 6 through 90
Out-of-Network Inpatient hospital coverage	50% per stay

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Fitting/evaluation

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing aids - inner ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing aids - outer ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing aids - over the ear

Hearing	Not covered

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Hearing exam

In-Network Hearing	$46 copay
Out-of-Network Hearing	50% coinsurance

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Health plan deductible	$0
In-Network Ground ambulance	$305 copay
Out-of-Network Ground ambulance	$305 copay

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Foot exams and treatment

In-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	$46 copay
Out-of-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	50% coinsurance

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Routine foot care

In-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	$46 copay
Out-of-Network Foot care (podiatry services)	50% coinsurance

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Emergency

Emergency care/Urgent care	$95 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

Out-of-Network Doctor visits	50% coinsurance per visit
In-Network Doctor visits	$0-15 copay per visit

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Specialist

In-Network Doctor visits	$46 copay per visit
Out-of-Network Doctor visits	50% coinsurance per visit

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Diagnostic radiology services (e.g., MRI)

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$200 copay
Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	50% coinsurance

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Diagnostic tests and procedures

Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	50% coinsurance
In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$50 copay

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Lab services

Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$10 copay
In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$10 copay

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Outpatient x-rays

In-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	$50 copay
Out-of-Network Diagnostic procedures/lab services/imaging	50% coinsurance

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Diagnostic services

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance
In-Network Comprehensive dental	50% coinsurance

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Endodontics

In-Network Comprehensive dental	50% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance

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Extractions

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance
In-Network Comprehensive dental	50% coinsurance

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Non-routine services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Periodontics

Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance
In-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay

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Prosthodontics, other oral/maxillofacial surgery, other services

Comprehensive dental	Not covered

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Restorative services

In-Network Comprehensive dental	50% coinsurance
Out-of-Network Comprehensive dental	$20 copay or 50% coinsurance

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

Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) Reviews

Is Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) a good plan? Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) received a 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 Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic Reviews among several different plans.

Staying Healthy, Screening, Testing, & Vaccines

Managing Chronic And Long Term Care for Older Adults

Member Experience with H5526-022 Health Plan

Member Complaints and Changes in Plans Performance

Health Plan Customer Service Rating for Highmark BCBS of WNY and Highmark BS of NENY

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 Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Basic (PPO) 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.