Excellus BlueCross BlueShield

Looking for coverage?
1-888-576-6542

HEALTH MEANS MORE THAN EVER.

We know that health and wellbeing have taken on a new meaning over the past year.

That's why we give our members more ways to get more from their benefits.

The $0 Essential Plan
Medicare
For Businesses
The $0 Essential Plan

Premiums are $0/month for eligible individuals, with coverage widely accepted by doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. Individuals under age 65 may be eligible based on New York State household income and size guidelines.

  • No Cost Preventive Care including vaccines, flu shots, checkups and screenings to keep you and your family healthy
  • NEW – adult dental and vision coverage now included 
  • Enroll anytime in the Essential Plan
  • Prescription savings and home delivery
The $0 Essential Plan
Medicare
For Businesses
Medicare

Medicare provides coverage if you are 65 or older or have a disability, regardless of income. Choose your Medicare plan with confidence from the company your neighbors have trusted for over 80 years.

Medicare Annual Election Period for 2020 Coverage: October 15 - December 7
  • Turning 65? Find a Medicare plan that suits your needs
  • Medicare plans with $0 premiums and $0 generic drugs
  • Low-cost plans including vision and new dental benefits
  • Medicare plans accepted by a large network of doctors and specialists
  • Knowledgeable local representatives to talk you through your options
The $0 Essential Plan
Medicare
For Businesses
Excellus BCBS for Business

We're here to discuss your needs, answer questions about plans and help you and your employees embrace their health and well-being.

  • Learn how synchronized care ensures lower costs, better care, and easier administration for you and your team
  • Help your team make the most out of high deductible health plans
  • Discover how telemedicine is saving employers and employees money and boosting productivity
Dental Plans
Child Health Plus
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum Plans
Medicaid
Dental Plans
When it comes to maintaining overall health and wellbeing, taking care of your teeth is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body. You can now save on dental care with individual and family dental plans.
Dental Plans
Child Health Plus
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum Plans
Medicaid
Child Health Plus
Depending on your family’s income, your children up to age 19 may qualify for free or low-cost health insurance coverage sponsored by New York State. With access to a network of more than 13,000 other doctors, urgent care centers, hospitals and specialists, we have kids covered. For more information or to apply, call 1-800-234-4781, TTY: 1-800-662-1220 or visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
Dental Plans
Child Health Plus
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum Plans
Medicaid
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum Health Plans
Good news! Under the American Rescue Plan, more tax credits are now available to New Yorkers who buy a health plan through NY State of Health. Individuals with low, moderate, and even higher incomes can now access higher tax credits, reducing their monthly premiums.
Dental Plans
Child Health Plus
Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum Plans
Medicaid
Medicaid
Our Medicaid plans sponsored by New York State provide free or low-cost health insurance for individuals and families who meet NYS income eligibility requirements. Plus, coverage for doctor visits and no cost preventive care such as vaccines, immunizations, mammograms, and routine physicals are included.
FIND YOUR PLAN
In less than a minute see if your income and household size qualify you for the Essential Plan or other free or low cost plans. We’ll also email you a free guide to help you shop for health insurance.
Turning 65 or switching Medicare plans?

Learn about your Medicare options here.

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EXTRAS WITH EXCELLUS BCBS
Our members enjoy more than just healthcare coverage. Join us!
Prevention is key
NO COST Preventive Care
How about $0 flu shots, vaccines, immunizations, health screenings and more!  See the complete list to take advantage every year.
Rewards for being active
Telemedicine Benefits
Get care safely from home with telehealth services through your in-network provider or 24/7 telemedicine through MDLIVE®.
Excellus BCBS Apps
Excellus BCBS Mobile App
Manage your claims, find a doctor or urgent care center, view your benefits coverage, access your member card and more.
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Common Questions
Common Questions
& Helpful Resources

If I'm an Excellus BCBS member, can I make changes to my coverage?

Outside the annual open enrollment period (February 2-October 31), you may qualify to buy or change your health insurance coverage if you experience certain life events, within 60 days in most cases. For Medicare, refer to our Medicare Advantage Timeline for specifics on when you may switch your Medicare coverage.

Life Events include: getting pregnant, having a baby, adopting a baby, change in marital status, moving, losing coverage from your employer, or aging off of a parent’s health plan.

Contact Member Services

By Phone: For an immediate response, call the number on your Member Card for personalized care. Don't have your card handy? Contact numbers are available here.

When can I buy health insurance?

When you can buy or change your health insurance all depends on the plan you qualify for.

Select a product below to get started:

Individuals and Families (Non-Medicare)

There are two times when you can buy health insurance: Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment Periods.

Open Enrollment

If you are eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan, you can enroll at any time during the year.

For Metal level plans (Qualified Health Plans), you can purchase health insurance during Open Enrollment, which is typically between November 1 and January 31.

However, if you are currently uninsured and not eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, or the Essential Plan, you can still enroll in a Qualified Health Plan during the NY State open enrollment extension due to COVID-19.

Special Enrollment Periods

Outside the annual open enrollment period (February 1-October 31), you may qualify to buy or change your health insurance coverage if you experience certain life events, within 60 days in most cases.

Life Events include: getting pregnant, having a baby, adopting a baby, change in marital status, moving, losing coverage from your employer, or aging off of a parent’s health plan.

To talk to one of our dedicated Insurance Advisors today about your options, call 1-888-576-6542.

The Essential Plan | Medicaid | Child Health Plus

Enrollment is available for the Essential Plan, Medicaid and Child Health Plus all year long for those who qualify. To talk to one of our dedicated Insurance Advisors today about your options, call 1-888-576-6542.

Medicare

There are three times when you can enroll in Medicare: Annual Election Period, Turning 65 and Special Enrollment Periods. 

Annual Election Period

Eligible individuals can enroll for 2021 coverage from October 15, 2020 — December 7, 2020.

Turning 65

If you’re turning 65, you can enroll in Medicare from the period that extends 3 months before to 3 months after the month of your 65th birthday. For example, if you turn 65 on July 4, you can enroll anytime between April 1 and October 31.

Special Enrollment Periods

Please refer to our Medicare Advantage Timeline to view specifics on when you may join or switch your coverage.

I have questions. Can I get help from someone in-person?

In certain counties, Facilitated Enrollers are available by appointment. To schedule yours, call 1-888-576-6542.

4 questions to ask when choosing a health plan

If you're buying or renewing health insurance, you should ask four questions before selecting a plan:

1. Will the plan cover my prescriptions?

Make sure your medications, including maintenance drugs and contraceptives, are covered by the insurer. The Essential Plan from Excellus BCBS, for example, covers more than 50 prescription contraceptives. You can review the prescription drug lists covered by our plans at ExcellusBCBS.com

2. Does my doctor accept the plan?

Use our Find a Doctor tool to look for physicians in your area that accept your Excellus BCBS plan.

3. What if I can't see my doctor?

Ask if the plan covers emergency care anywhere in the world. You may also want to inquire as to whether the plan has a telemedicine program that provides 24/7 access to a doctor by phone or video chat when you have a minor health issue and can't see your physician.

4. Can I get financial assistance?

You could qualify for the Essential Plan for $0 or $20 a month based on your age, household income and size, and immigration status. Or, you may be eligible for other NYS-sponsored plans or subsidies. Use our calculator to see or call Excellus BCBS at 1-888-576-6542 to see if you qualify.

What online tools are available to help me manage my membership?

Make sure you’re getting the most value out of your health plan by creating an account online at www.excellusbcbs.com. You’ll get a comprehensive tool showing the summary of your benefits, tracking your deductible and out-of-pocket spending, providing the ability to see and submit claims, preferences for receiving paperless statements, viewing and ordering your member card, and more.

Plus, download the Excellus BCBS app for Apple or Android devices for control of your membership on your smartphone or tablet.
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play

Are dental plans available?

Our dental plans for individuals and families include coverage for preventive services like cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants, routine services such as exams, x-rays and fillings as well as coverage for more comprehensive care like select crowns and adult root canals.

Are there plans for early retirees?

Modeled after a popular Medicare Advantage plan and designed for those over 55, our Destination 65SM Silver and Gold plans are intended to ease your transition into Medicare. They’re ideal if your spouse has already moved into Medicare or if only one of you has employer coverage.

In-person help
Schedule an Appointment to Visit Us
Visit our Resource Centers or get expert advice from our Facilitated Enrollers by phone or in a face to face appointment in certain counties. To schedule your appointment,
call 1-888-576-6542.
Get expert advice in-person at one of our Resource Center locations on W. Ridge Road in Rochester and S. Warren Street in Syracuse.
Need help?
Chat with Us or Request a Call
Have a question or need help finding coverage? Start a chat by selecting the blue chat box or request a call with one of our Facilitated Enrollers. We have you covered. Chat is available from Mon - Thurs from 8am – 7pm, and Fri 9am - 7pm.
We’re on a mission to inspire a more fearless Upstate New York – showing how making small changes today can make a huge impact on your health tomorrow.
Excellus Individual Plan
STAY CONNECTED
Let us help you find the right plan. Get your free 5 Step Guide to Health Insurance to help get started, compare options, and enrolling tips.