by Russell Noga | Updated October 6th, 2026
Shopping for a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement for 2027? This guide explains how BCBS Medigap plans work, what actually changes for 2027, what they cost, and how to compare Blue Cross rates against other companies in your state.
Key Takeaways
- Blue Cross Blue Shield is made up of independent companies that each set their own Medicare Supplement plans 2027 rates, so BCBS premiums differ a lot from state to state.
- Medigap benefits are standardized by federal law. A Blue Cross Plan G covers exactly the same things as any other company’s Plan G. The difference is price, rate increase history and service.
- Eligibility for Medicare Supplement plans is simplest during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, or with a guaranteed issue right, such as when your Medicare Advantage plan is ending for 2027.
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What Changes for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans in 2027
Because Medigap benefits are set by federal law, the coverage inside a Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan G or Plan N does not change for 2027. What can change is what you pay and what you pay alongside it:
- Premiums. Each Blue Cross company sets its own rates, and increases usually take effect on your policy anniversary or by state schedule. Compare your BCBS rate against other companies every year.
- Medicare deductibles. Medicare announces the 2027 Part A and Part B deductibles later in the fall. For 2026 they are $1,736 (Part A) and $283 (Part B), and the high-deductible Plan G deductible is $2,950.
- Part D drug costs. Medigap does not cover prescriptions, so most members add a standalone Part D plan. For 2027 the Part D out-of-pocket cap rises to $2,400.
Some Blue Cross companies also offer optional add-ons, such as dental, vision and hearing packages, for an extra monthly cost. These vary by state and company and are not part of the Medigap plan itself.
Understanding Eligibility for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
To buy a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and live in the area the Blue Cross company serves. Most buyers are 65 or older. People under 65 on Medicare due to disability can buy Medigap in some states, depending on state rules.
Your best time to enroll is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the 6 months starting the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window the company cannot turn you down or charge you more because of your health.
Losing Your Medicare Advantage Plan in 2027?
If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving Medicare or stops serving your area, federal law generally gives you a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans, which for most people include Plan G, from companies like Blue Cross without medical underwriting. The right generally ends 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends, so do not wait.
Comparing Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans with Other Options
When you compare Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans with other options, start with the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans deliver your Medicare benefits through a private plan and network, often with low premiums and extra benefits. Medicare Supplement plans fill the gaps in Original Medicare, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
A big advantage of Medigap, including Blue Cross plans, is that there are no networks. You can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, with no referrals needed to see specialists.
Then compare Blue Cross against other Medigap companies for the same plan letter. Because the coverage is identical, the premium, the company’s rate increase history and its customer service are what separate them. If you buy outside your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right, most companies can ask health questions, so review your options before you switch. See our full guide to Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans.
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How to Enroll in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan
Enrolling in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plan is straightforward when you work with an independent agent:
- Make sure you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
- Compare the Blue Cross rate for your plan letter against other top companies in your ZIP code.
- Apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right if you can, so health questions do not apply.
Call 1-888-891-0229 and one of our licensed agents will compare Blue Cross against the other companies in your area and help you apply. Our service is free.
Benefits of Choosing Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield is one of the most recognized names in health insurance, and its Medigap plans are sold in every state through independent Blue Cross companies. Like every Medigap plan, BCBS plans let you see any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, regardless of location.
Many Blue Cross companies offer household discounts and member perks such as the Blue365 discount program. Some also sell optional dental, vision and hearing packages for an added monthly cost. Benefits, prices and availability vary by state and company, so check what your local Blue Cross company offers.
Cost Considerations for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
Cost is often the deciding factor when choosing a Medicare Supplement plan. Blue Cross premiums depend on your state, ZIP code, age, gender, tobacco use and any household discount. Some Blue Cross companies price plans by community rating, where everyone pays the same regardless of age, while others raise premiums as you get older.
You will also have costs alongside your Medigap premium. You still pay your Part B premium, and with Plan G or Plan N you pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). For prescriptions, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and you can spread drug costs across the year with the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Because the coverage is identical across companies, comparing the same plan letter from several insurers is the fastest way to lower your premium.
Accessing Supplemental Benefits with Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans cover out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare does not, such as coinsurance, copayments and, depending on the plan, deductibles. Blue Cross Medigap plans are sold by independent Blue Cross companies across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Medigap plans have no networks and can be used anywhere Original Medicare is accepted. Several plans, including Plan G and Plan N, also cover emergency care when traveling abroad, up to plan limits.
You must keep paying your Part B premium in addition to your Medigap premium to keep coverage.
Common Questions About Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans raise a lot of questions. Below we cover the differences between plan types, switching options and how these plans work with Original Medicare.
What Are the Differences Between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, deliver your Medicare benefits through a private plan, often with extra benefits and an annual out-of-pocket maximum, but usually with a provider network.
Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap, work with Original Medicare and cover out-of-pocket costs like coinsurance, copayments and, depending on the plan, deductibles.
Medigap gives you more freedom. You can see any provider that accepts Medicare without referrals, which matters if you travel or want specific specialists.
Can I Switch from Another Medicare Supplement Plan to Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Switching from another Medicare Supplement plan to Blue Cross Blue Shield is possible. In most states, outside your Open Enrollment Period, Blue Cross can ask health questions before approving you. Some states, such as those with birthday rules, let you switch without health questions at certain times.
If you are leaving a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare. Whether you can buy a Medigap plan without health questions depends on whether you have a guaranteed issue right, such as your Medicare Advantage plan ending for 2027.
Keep your current plan until your new Blue Cross policy is approved, so you never have a gap in coverage.
How Do Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plans Work with Original Medicare?
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans work with Original Medicare by covering costs Medicare does not fully pay, such as copayments, coinsurance and, depending on the plan, deductibles.
Medicare pays its share first, then your Blue Cross Medigap plan pays its share. You can visit any provider that accepts Medicare, with more freedom and fewer restrictions than most Medicare Advantage plans.
Resources for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement Plan Members
For general Medicare questions, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, available 24/7. If you are already a Blue Cross member, use the phone number on the back of your member ID card for questions about your policy.
To compare Blue Cross rates with other companies or change plans, call our licensed agents at 1-888-891-0229.
Many Blue Cross members also have access to Blue365, a discount program for health-related products and services. Blue365 discounts are not insurance and depend on participating vendors.
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Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans for 2027 offer the same standardized coverage as every other company, with the strength of one of the best-known names in health insurance. What sets Blue Cross apart, or not, is the premium in your state, its rate increase history and its service.
The smartest move is to compare your Blue Cross rate against other top companies for the same plan letter before you enroll, and to use your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right if you have one. Our licensed agents can do that comparison for you at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans?
Medicare Advantage plans deliver your Medicare benefits through a private plan, often with extra benefits, an out-of-pocket maximum and a provider network. Medicare Supplement plans work with Original Medicare and cover out-of-pocket costs such as coinsurance, copayments and, depending on the plan, deductibles, with no network.
Can I switch from another Medicare Supplement plan to Blue Cross Blue Shield?
Yes. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare, and outside your Open Enrollment Period most states let Blue Cross ask health questions before approving you. Keep your current plan until the new policy is approved.
How do Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans work with Original Medicare?
Medicare pays its share of your approved care first, then your Blue Cross Medigap plan pays its share of the remaining costs, such as coinsurance, copayments and, depending on the plan, deductibles. You can see any provider that accepts Medicare.
What changes for Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans in 2027?
Medigap benefits are standardized by law, so a Blue Cross Plan G or Plan N covers the same things in 2027 as in 2026. What can change are premiums, which each Blue Cross company sets, and the Medicare deductibles, which Medicare announces later in the fall.
How can I enroll in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plan?
Make sure you have Medicare Part A and Part B, then compare the Blue Cross rate for your plan letter against other companies in your ZIP code and apply, ideally during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right. Call 1-888-891-0229 and a licensed agent will help at no cost.
Can I buy a Blue Cross Medigap plan if my Medicare Advantage plan ends in 2027?
Usually, yes. If your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops serving your area, you generally have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans, which for most people include Plan G, without medical underwriting. The right generally ends 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends.
Speak to the Professionals about Medigap Plans and Original Medicare
If understanding Original Medicare and Medigap plans feels challenging, you are not alone. Whether you are comparing Medigap plans or want to know more about Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement 2027, we can help. Call our team at 1-888-891-0229 for a free consultation, or complete the contact form on this site and an expert will call you back at a convenient time.
We have decades of experience helping clients with Medicare and Medigap plans, their benefits, costs and deductibles. We will help you find the best rate in your state and give you advice you can trust.
Russell Noga is the CEO and Medicare editor of Medisupps.com. His 15 years of experience in the Medicare insurance market includes being a licensed Medicare insurance broker in all 50 states. He is frequently featured as a featured as a keynote Medicare event speaker, has authored hundreds of Medicare content pages, and hosts the very popular Medisupps.com Medicare Youtube channel. His expertise includes Medicare, Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D.