Cost plans

Starting in 2019, a popular Medicare insurance product known as a Cost plan will no longer be available to members in certain counties in Minnesota. 

 In 2003, the federal government passed a law that required competition in states where Medicare Cost plans were sold.  This meant that if there was a substantial presence of Medicare Advantage plans in these service areas, that Medicare Cost plans could not be offered.  After many years delaying this rule, this requirement will take effect in 2019. However:

Medicare Cost plans will continue to be available in 21 Minnesota counties due to the lack of other Medicare plan options.  These unaffected counties are: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Goodhue, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pipestone, Rice, Rock, St Louis, Sibley, Stevens, Traverse, and Yellow Medicine.

If you are a resident of one of these counties you are not impacted by any changes, and you would still be able to keep or purchase a Medicare Cost plan into 2019.

Open enrollment for Medicare starts October 15^th and runs through December 7th. To change your health or drug plan call for a review at 320-679-5183.