Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) in Essex County, New York — 2026 plan details
Last updated Jul 18, 2026
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward
Published by Senior Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0
Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) (H3335-044) is a $0-premium Medicare Advantage PPO from Lifetime Healthcare, Inc. available in Essex County, New York in 2026, with a 3.5-star overall rating, a $4,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum, and a $0 annual Part D drug deductible.
Plan facts (CMS CY2026 Landscape file)
| Organization | Lifetime Healthcare, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Plan name | Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) |
| Contract ID | H3335 |
| Plan ID | 044 |
| Segment ID | 0 |
| Contract year | 2026 |
| Contract category | MA |
| Plan type | PPO |
| SNP | No |
| Monthly consolidated premium | — |
| Part C premium | $0.00 |
| Part D basic premium | — |
| Part D total premium | — |
| Annual Part D deductible | — |
| Maximum out-of-pocket (in-network) | $4500.00 |
| Overall star rating | 3.5 |
How this plan is structured
- $0 consolidated premium. A $0 or near-$0 consolidated premium does not remove the Part B premium — the standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month and still applies. See the 2026 Medicare Part B premium.
- PPO plan type. Plan-type rules determine in-network use and referrals. See how Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans differ.
- $4,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum. The MOOP is the annual cap on what a member pays in-network for covered Part A and Part B services. See how the Medicare Advantage MOOP works.
- Service area = Essex County. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by service area; moving out of the plan's service area triggers a Special Enrollment Period to switch plans. See how moving changes your Medicare options.
How it compares in Essex County
The CMS CY2026 Landscape file lists 28 Medicare Advantage plans in Essex County, New York, of which 0 carry a 5.0-star overall rating and 11 have a $0 consolidated monthly premium. Consolidated premiums range from $0.00 to $174.00 per month, and in-network out-of-pocket maximums range from $4300.00 to $9250.00.
For the full county plan directory, see all Medicare plans in Essex County, New York.
How to verify your doctors take this plan
Network participation changes throughout the year; we hold no provider-network data, so verify directly with these three sources before you decide:
- Open the plan's official Medicare.gov page and use its provider-directory link: Medicare.gov Plan Finder — H3335-044.
- Call the plan (Lifetime Healthcare, Inc.) using the member-services number listed on that plan page and ask whether each doctor, hospital, and pharmacy is in-network for 2026.
- Get free, unbiased help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — see free unbiased Medicare help from SHIP.
What H3335-044 means
CMS assigns every Medicare Advantage and Part D offering a plan identifier made of three parts. In H3335-044, the leading H marks the contract type (H = Medicare Advantage / Part C contract), the four digits 3335 are the contract number issued to the organization, and the three-digit 044 is the plan benefit package under that contract. The segment ID 0 identifies the service-area segment within the plan (0 = the default single segment).
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) an HMO or PPO?
Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) is a PPO Medicare Advantage plan.
Does Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) include prescription drug coverage?
Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) does not include Part D prescription drug coverage in its consolidated benefits.
What is the maximum out-of-pocket cost for Medicare BlueSalute (PPO)?
The 2026 in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit for Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) is $4500.00, per the CMS CY2026 Landscape file.
What counties offer Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) (H3335-044)?
Medicare BlueSalute (PPO) (H3335-044) is offered in eight New York counties: Clinton County, Delaware County, Essex County, Franklin County, Fulton County, Hamilton County, Montgomery County, and Otsego County.
Sources
- CMS, Plan Year 2026 Medicare Advantage & Part D Landscape source file (March 2026) — retrieved 2026-07-18. Overall star rating year: 2026.
- Medicare.gov Plan Finder — compare plans and enroll.