See How the Freedom Blue Deductible Works
(To get a basic overview of the plan first, visit Anthem Freedom Blue PPO).
Some people get a little confused about how the deductible works on a Medicare Advantage Plan. Luckily, most of these plans don’t have deductibles, but it is common for a Medicare Advantage PPO to have one.
The Freedom Blue deductible goes by calendar year.
If you join the plan mid-year, the entire deductible applies to whatever portion of the calendar year is left. On January first, the full deductible starts over.
The deductible only applies to medical services, not prescriptions.
On a Medicare Advantage Plan, typically the medical benefits and prescription plan benefits have entirely separate terms. This includes deductibles. The medical deductible is usually separate from the prescription deductible (if any). There is no prescription deductible for Anthem Freedom Blue in 2011.
Any Medical service is paid for out of pocket until you reach the deductible amount.
When you first start the plan, or Jan 1st (whichever applies to you), you will be billed full price for all medical services up to your deductible. The Anthem Freedom Blue deductible in California for 2011 is $300. That means you must pay the full price of all medical services (not prescriptions) until you reach $300. Then, all copay/coinsurance amounts apply for the rest of the year.
See Anthem Freedom Blue to get the benefit summary, or visit our Anthem Agent Connect page to view plans.
Deductible is not the same as “out-of-pocket maximum.”
The deductible is the amount you must pay toward medical costs before the plan benefits “kick in.” An annual out-of-pocket maximum is the most you are required to pay before the plan pays 100% of Medicare covered costs for the remainder of the year. This puts a cap on your spending risk each year, and is a good reason to obtain coverage to supplement Original Medicare. There is no cap on your out-of-pocket spending on Original Medicare.
I hope you found this article helpful!
Still have Questions? Need help?
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Pamela Cook
Authorized Independent Agent
CA Insurance 0G04182
