Anthem Blue Cross of California has introduced a Medicare Supplement plan that offers vision and hearing benefits. Medicare Part B does not cover eye glasses or hearing aids. The vision and hearing benefits are included in the California Blue Cross Innovative Plan F Medicare Supplement.
Glasses And Hearing Aids
One of the great frustrations for Medicare beneficiaries is learning that Medicare does not cover any routine vision care or assistance with hearing aids. Medicare Supplements generally only cover the patient costs that Medicare does not cover. This means no coverage for glasses or hearing exams.
Anthem Blue Cross of California has added vision and hearing benefits to a Medicare Supplement Plan F. The new coverage is called Innovative Plan F. It covers all the same benefits as a standard Plan F supplement, but it adds the enhancements of vision and hearing coverage as well.
The vision coverage is handled by EyeMed which has a fairly large network of optometrists in California. The Innovative Plan F for 2018 in-network benefits of:
- $25 copayment for annual routine eye exam
- $100 frame allowance every 24 months
- $25 copayment for single vision lenses, $40 for bifocal, $55 for trifocal
- $100 allowance for 12 months of conventional and disposable contact lenses
You can check the locations of optometrist who are providers for the vision benefits by visiting
Hearing coverage is provided by Hearing Care Solutions, Inc. The Innovative Plan F will provide coverage for:
- $0 copay for annual hearing exam
- $750 allowance for hearing devices, including 1-year supply of batteries
You can check to locate the nearest hearing provider by visiting http://www.hearingcaresolutions.com/locations/
The Innovative Plan F also includes a
- 24/7 Nurse Helpline
- Silver Sneakers fitness membership
- Discounts for multiple family member enrollments
- New Medicare member monthly discount up to $20 for the first 12 months of enrollment.
Dental coverage is still offered through the Anthem Extras senior package. Anthem has adjusted their Anthem Extra’s package so that Innovative Plan F member, who has vision and hearing included, can select an Anthem Extra package that only includes dental coverage.
For 2018, the Innovative Plan F has a lower rate than the standard Plan F, while the Innovative plan includes vision and hearing benefits. Anthem Blue Cross has said the lower pricing is not a gimmick, and the pricing differential will continue. Of course, the Plan F will be phased out for people ageing into Medicare after 2020. The comparable Supplement will Plan G, which is the same as F except there is no coverage for the Part B deductible.
To get a quote on the Anthem Blue Cross California Innovative Plan F in your region, click the link below. This will open the Blue Cross website. No one will call you and no one will capture your information. https://brokerportal.anthem.com/ehb/web/bkr/acc/agentconnect/KEVINKNAUSS_1
2018 ABC Med Sup