Page Reviewed / Updated - May 15, 2020
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Medicare Advantage, which is sometimes known as Medicare Part C, offers Minnesota seniors an alternative way to receive their Medicare benefits. Unlike Original Medicare, which is provided directly by the Social Security Administration, Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private insurers that bill Medicare on behalf of the beneficiary. Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide the same coverage as Medicare Parts A and B, though many offer extra services such as vision and dental coverage. Medicare Advantage premiums are mostly billed to the Medicare program, though some beneficiaries continue to pay a monthly premium that varies with the area where coverage is provided.
Medicare Advantage plans are popular in Minnesota. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 43% of Medicare beneficiaries in the state choose to receive their health insurance via one of 1,749 available Part C plans. This percentage ties Minnesota with Florida for having the second highest enrollment rate among the 50 states. Only Hawaii has a higher rate of Medicare Advantage enrollment, at 45%.
Seniors in Minnesota who opt into a Part C plan can choose between four basic plan types: HMO, PPO, PFFS and SNP. In this guide, we explain the differences between these plan types, as well as give overviews of eligibility, enrollment and prescription drug coverage in Minnesota. We also list several state and local resources that can help seniors in Minnesota find and sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that's ideal for them.
There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans available across the country. In Minnesota, seniors have a choice between Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans and Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) group all of their covered services together under one umbrella, with most clinics and care providers working for the same organization that provides insurance coverage. Members of HMOs typically enjoy relatively low monthly premiums, but care options and flexibility is limited. Specialist visits often require a primary care physician's recommendation before they are approved, and non-emergency out-of-plan care can be expensive.
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) offer somewhat more flexibility than HMOs, as beneficiaries can often seek care outside of a single, unified provider system. PPOs generally have negotiated contracts with a network of independent providers that have all agreed to the billing terms and payment structures. Members of PPO plans can usually expect to pay higher monthly premiums than HMO members, but a referral often isn't needed to visit a specialist. In-network care is paid for according to the plan rates, while out-of-network care may cost more at the point of service. Plan rates may apply, and reimbursement may be issued, if non-network services are approved in advance, unavailable inside of the network or delivered on an emergency basis.
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans are structured in a way that's very similar to privately purchased health insurance. Members of a PFFS plan can usually shop around for a provider they feel comfortable with, and their costs are dependent on whether the provider accepts the plan's payment terms. Non-network providers are still likely to charge private-pay rates, while plan rates are available from practitioners and clinics that accept the insurer's terms. PFFS plans usually have higher monthly premiums than HMOs and PPOs.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are designed for beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid or have chronic medical conditions that require specialized care services. Membership in a specific plan is usually limited to seniors who qualify based on their situation or need for the condition-specific care the plan covers. Common conditions covered by SNP policies include diabetes, physical disabilities and Alzheimer's disease. Monthly premiums for SNPs can be expensive, and co-payments for general care tend to be relatively high. Despite this, an SNP can be ideal for seniors with very specific health care needs that require therapy or long-term care.
Prior to enrolling in Medicare Advantage, seniors must first be enrolled in Original Medicare. Anyone who is eligible for Medicare Parts A and B is also eligible to enroll in Medicare Advantage. However, certain Medicare Advantage plans, such as SNPs, may have additional eligibility requirements.
Medicare Advantage has specific enrollment periods. One can only join a Medicare Advantage plan during the following periods:
Additionally, Medicare Advantage plan participants can change their plan outside of these enrollment periods under certain qualifying circumstances, such as moving to a new state.
Seniors in Minnesota can get prescription drug coverage in several ways. Original Medicare beneficiaries can opt into Part D coverage. Many Medicare supplements, including Medical Assistance, the state Medicaid program, contain a prescription drug benefit. Beneficiaries who receive benefits through Medicare Advantage usually have the option of buying into a plan that includes some prescription coverage. For beneficiaries whose Part C plan lacks prescription medication benefits, or whose plan leaves gaps in coverage, private supplements and Medical Assistance remain an option. Minnesota's Medicare Advantage plans are compatible with the state Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, which combines with Part C to cover prescription costs. This program does charge a monthly premium, though seniors with high prescription drug expenses may save money through lower co-payments and deductibles than many private plans charge.
Both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage are invaluable resources for seniors. Both programs are complex, however, and it can be difficult for many seniors to navigate their options. Below, we have listed several resources Minnesota seniors can use to find advice, application assistance and extra help with the Medicare benefits they are eligible for.
The Minnesota Board on Aging operates the statewide MN SHIP program that provides advice, assistance and direct application support for health care resources to Minnesotans aged 60 and over. Program assistance includes discount pharmaceutical programs, Extra Help benefits for Part D premiums and other Medicare issues. MN SHIP case workers also provide preadmission screening for seniors moving into long-term care and fraud prevention and reporting hotlines. Eligible seniors must meet income and asset limits for some means-tested programs.
Contact Information
Seniors in Minnesota who would like to contact the Board on Aging for any of the services it offers, or for referrals to affiliated programs, can call the main program center, known as the Senior LinkAge Line, at 1-800-333-2433. Email inquiries may be submitted to [email protected]. Correspondence, including paper applications for services, is accepted at the Minnesota Board on Aging's main office.
The Minnesota Commerce Department provides free information about health insurance, costs of care and Medicare coverage on its website. Information provided includes up-to-date changes to Medicare legislation, Medicare Advantage plan changes and available Part D benefits. Further information and advice about benefits includes the end of Minnesota Medicare Cost plans and other variations on Medicare benefits in the state. Fraud, waste and abuse reporting is also available through the department.
Contact Information
Contact the Minnesota Commerce Department by phone via the main line at 1-800-657-3602. Emails may be sent to [email protected]. Correspondence with the department may be mailed to the Minnesota Department of Commerce at its headquarters in Saint Paul.
The Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) program focuses assistance on the 35,000 Minnesotans who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. People in this category are usually seniors who have reached eligibility for Medicare, while having income and assets that fall below the state Medicaid threshold. MSHO coordinates care between these two services, helping to ensure seniors who are dual-eligible get full coverage of their health needs with minimal to nonexistent gaps in coverage. Program counselors can explain both programs to beneficiaries, assist with initial applications for coverage and help manage denials of service. Other program services include publishing educational materials for beneficiaries and their caregivers about benefits and assistance locating additional resources.
Contact Information
Contact the MSHO program by calling 1-800-366-5411. Email inquiries may be submitted at [email protected]. Seniors can send mail inquiries to MSHO at its office in the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in Saint Paul.\
The HealthFinders Collaborative (HFC) Medication Assistance Program (MAP) -Faribault is part of a statewide medication assistance program that helps seniors find Part D benefits and co-payment assistance for prescription drugs. The program offers no-cost prescription medications to all uninsured Rice County residents. Working with Sterling Drug as a local partner, Faribault MAP provides medication assistance to patients at its own clinic and at local hospitals and emergency departments. Prescriptions may be delivered to seniors with limited ability to travel to a pharmacy.
The MAP staff includes MNsure-approved navigators, who act as certified benefits counselors for seniors seeking coverage under Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Navigators help seniors aged 60 and over understand and apply for benefits, as well as identify other benefits they may be eligible for. Program counselors can also assist beneficiaries apply for private insurance, including Medicare supplements and Extra Help, the federal assistance program for Part D co-payments.
Contact Information
Both clinical and counseling services offered by HealthFinders are available by appointment only. Call 507-323-8100 to speak with an intake worker to schedule a visit. The state program may be reached with inquiries via email at [email protected]. Applications, inquiries and written requests for assistance may be mailed to the program's Faribault office.
Land of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging is the regional branch of this Minnesota Board on Aging's senior resource program. Through the AAA, seniors can receive no-cost counseling about their health insurance options, including Medicare, and available prescription drug programs. The AAA also provides SHIP and Senior Medicare Patrol assistance and acts as the local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).
Contact Information
Seniors in the AAA's service area can contact the Senior LinkAge line at 1-800-333-2433 for information and assistance. Mail, including completed application packets, may be sent to the agency's address in Warren.
Every county in Minnesota has a Department of Human Services office so seniors can receive assistance and services in the area where they live. Case workers in these DHS offices can assist Minnesota seniors with signing up for benefit programs they may be eligible for, as well as provide impartial advice regarding Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid benefits.
Contact Information
Seniors can contact their local DHS office to schedule an appointment with a case worker. A list of contact information for each county office, as well as tribal offices and other health counseling agencies, can be found here.