Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. Kaiser Permanente
- In this review, we compare Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield vs. Kaiser Permanente, including the Medicare plans each company offers, how much they cost, what they cover and more.
Kaiser Permanente only sells Medicare insurance plans in a handful of states. Some Medicare beneficiaries in those select areas may have a choice of Kaiser plans and plans affiliated with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for their Medicare health and/or prescription drug benefits.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente sells Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans. Unlike some other insurance companies, Kaiser doesn’t offer standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, although Part D drug coverage is available through many Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans.
Kaiser sells a variety of Medicare Advantage plan types, such as Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). However, Kaiser’s most common type of Medicare plan are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. This type of managed care is popular with beneficiaries who like to have their care coordinated within a network by a primary care physician.
Some Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for services and items not found in Original Medicare. In certain locations, some or all of these benefits may require a small additional monthly premium to have them added to your plan.
Kaiser Permanente is popular among Medicare beneficiaries. To highlight just how popular Kaiser Medicare Advantage plans are, consider this: Kaiser only sells Medicare Advantage plans in a limited number of states, yet 6% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the nation were part of a Kaiser Permanente Medicare plan in 2024.
Kaiser Permanente is a well-established insurance company that dates back to 1945 and today serves more than 12 million members. While Kaiser has a relatively small footprint, it’s among the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans.
Kaiser has a unique business model in that the company is both a health insurance provider and health care provider. Members of Kaiser Medicare plans may visit a Kaiser Permanente hospital or medical facility when they use their coverage.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield might be one of the most recognizable name in the insurance industry. 12% of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries were enrolled in a plan from BCBS or one of its affiliates in 2024.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is a staple at workplaces across the U.S. with its collection of employer-sponsored plans. They also offer an array of policies for individuals and families.
When it comes to Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers all the bases as well. The company sells Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans in and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plan lineup includes the common HMO, PPO, and Special Needs Plans, but also features additional options like POS (Point-Of-Service) plans, PFFS (Private Fee-For-Service) plans and even Medicare cost plans.
Plan types, benefits, costs and other considerations can vary based on location.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans can include coverage for things like prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing or fitness memberships like the SilverSneakers program.
Is Blue Cross Better than Kaiser?
The best plan for any Medicare shopper is the one with the right coverage for their particular health care needs at the most competitive price.
Some people might appreciate the diverse plan selection and widespread availability of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Others might prefer Kaiser Permanente, based on their reputation for providing high-quality Medicare Advantage plans that remain popular among beneficiaries.
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