Deciding between Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross for your Medicare coverage in California? This comparison covers the key differences to help you choose.
The best plan depends on your specific doctors, medications, county, and priorities. Rather than comparing on your own, call (818) 581-4101 and our advisors will compare them side by side — plus every other option — for free.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Blue Shield | Anthem Blue Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| CMS Stars | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Plan Types | HMO, PPO | HMO, PPO |
| Premium | $0–$64 | $0–$89 |
| Part B Giveback | No | No |
Key Differences
Star ratings and premiums only tell part of the story. What matters most is whether your doctors are in-network and whether your medications are covered at an affordable cost. Two plans with identical star ratings can have completely different provider networks and drug formularies.
Our advisors check this for you: we verify your doctors across both carriers, compare prescription costs on each formulary, calculate total annual cost, and compare benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
Not sure? Call for a free side-by-side comparison: (818) 581-4101 — free, no obligation, licensed in California.
How to Decide
Consider: Do you need PPO flexibility or is HMO acceptable? Is Part B Giveback important? Are your doctors in both networks? Are your medications covered similarly? Do you value integrated care or a wide provider network?
If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, you may want D-SNP plans or PACE instead.