Blue Cross NC lowers Medicare Advantage rates for second consecutive year

Oct. 2--For the second year in a row, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina will lower its Medicare Advantage rates for 66,000 members. The rates for 2020 will fall 31% on average for its North Carolina customers covered by the health insurance plans.

This year, typical Medicare Advantage members had a rate decrease of 30% that allowed savings of $200 to $675 a year depending on the plan selected and where customers live, the state's largest private insurer said.

For 2020, Medicare Advantage members will save $426 on average and have access to more than 44,000 providers, up from 41,000 this year.

Members will continue to have access to a free gym membership at any of 458 participating health clubs across the state.

The Durham-based insurer is extending its coverage to Moore County, so it's now available in 87 of 100 North Carolina counties.

Medicare Advantage provides vision, dental and prescription drug coverage as health care benefits for people aged 65 and older.

Open enrollment for the plans runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and coverage begins Jan. 1.

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