BCBS Advantage no more Mayo

@vic83 The fact that people often must buy their own insurance and other people are covered through employer/former employer plans puts another complication in the already complicated insurance scenario. A neutral broker assists the HR person and the board in choosing the plans for both retirees and present workers. To further add to the explanation, I can go to any medical facility that accepts Medicare in the USA - and I have done so. Show my card, they bill the company, and I have a small copay, usually $10. Please do realize that changes can be made to Original Medicare and Medigap. (I do not want to get political, but I am all for ditching all of this health insurance mess as long as from that moment on we all have the EXACT SAME policy as those in the domed building in DC with the affordability, timely accessibility and convenience as they do. We are all just as special.)

@roch Yes. I got that from Mayo in Rochester customer service.

@vic83 Mayo Arizona terminated my mother-in-law as a patient 10 years ago because she was on a Medicare Advantage plan. That was an employer provided plan, so she did not have the option to get regular Medicare without losing the retired employee subsidy. The letter you mentioned has been sent every year to all AZ patients. I have no knowledge of what the other Mayo locations do on this subject.

@cromme50 That is too bad about your mother-in-law. That is an issue with people whose employers provide health insurance benefit after retirement. Advantage plans give one other "benefits" but one loses choice of doctor plus copays and required approvals. I know that also Mayo in Florida does not accept Advantage plans. Minnesota (home of Mayo Clinic) had some Advantage plans that had Mayo in Network (hard to sell a plan in Minnesota that does not have Mayo in network is what they said), but now I don't know...this year is the first time I got a letter from Mayo and I have been a patient for four years. I am glad I got original Medicare from the beginning!!!!
And of course, other healthcare clinics are also dropping Medicare Advantage plans.
Just read that the only MA plans Mayo Clinic will be in-network 1/1/2026 will be: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Medica, Employer group Medicare Advantage plans for retirees. Any other Medicare Advantage members will no longer have in-network access with Mayo Clinic facilities after January 1, 2026, including Humana and UnitedHealthcare non employer group MA retiree plans.

@vic83 BCBS is not offering the advantage plan i was on in Rochester anymore. The response i got from Mayo basically said no to any advantage plan.

@budisnothome ....If one had a BCBS of MN Advantage plan before, I wonder if BCBS of MN would accept that person into their Supplemental plan allowing the person to go to Original Medicare with supplemental/Medigap plan???

@vic83 yes. I had the letter from bcbs with the plan not being offered in 2026. I got bcbs supplemental plan but had to get humana drug plan. I am still on original Medicare a and b.

@budisnothome That is good. I have changed my drug plan several times. That is easy to do. Just go to the Medicare Internet site and give the Medicare tool your drugs and info and it pulls up all the Part D drug plans in your area and tells you how much each will cost (premium + copays). One can save money that way. I keep my first Medigap supplemental plan and am glad to have it!