Medicare Advantage Programs in Minnesota

Minnesota seniors can choose among four Medicare Advantage, or MA, (Part C) programs, Medicare-approved health insurance plans offered by private companies. Each MA plan includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, emergency and urgent care, and most provide Part D (prescription drug) coverage. Some plans also offer dental, vision and hearing aid coverage, and health and wellness programs.

Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS)

• For its Medicare Advantage program, BCBS offers three plans plus a stand alone prescription drug plan and two supplemental plans. As of May 2010, premiums range from $29 to $261 per month. The MedicareBlue PPO plan includes co-pays for doctor visits and emergency care, annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses and prescription drug coverage. Pair MedicareBlue Rx prescription drug plan with either Platinum Blue or Senior Gold plans that have no drug coverage for complete coverage. Senior Gold has the highest monthly premium, but no co-pays and no annual out-of-pocket expenses. One supplemental plan extends basic benefits to achieve the highest level of benefits possible. The second supplemental plan is protection for cost-sharing gaps.

  Blue Cross

  3535 Blue Cross Road

  St. Paul, MN 55164-0560

  800-382-2000

  Bluecrossmn.com

HealthPartners

• Freedom Plans, the Medicare Advantage options from HealthPartners, have monthly premiums that range from $59 to $130, as of August 2010. Compare the plans to find the one that best suits your needs. Freedom I is the basic plan with co-pays for office visits and hospital stays, no travel, prescription drug or dental coverage. Freedom II, the mid-priced plan, requires co-pays and offers travel, prescription drug and dental coverage. Freedom III requires no co-pays and offers travel and dental coverage, and the choice of three prescription drug plans. HealthPartners provides no supplementary plan options to extend basic benefits or for protection of cost-sharing gaps.

  HealthPartners

  8170 -- 33rd Ave. South

  Bloomington, MN 55425

  800-247-7015

  952-883-5601

  Healthpartners.com

Medica

• This medical insurance provider has a package of plans for its Medicare Advantage program, offering consumers additional choices. Medica Prime Solution has three cost plans for medical and hospital coverage with the option of prescription drug and dental coverage for Minnesota seniors. Their Advantage Solution Standard and Choice plans are private fee-for-service plans with the option of prescription drug coverage. Medica offers three special needs plans to cover Minnesotans with chronic conditions and disabilities. In addition, Medica's Select Solution is a supplemental plan to protect cost-sharing gaps.

  Medica

  401 Carlson Parkway

  Minnetonka, MN 55305

  952-992-2900

  Medica.com

Ucare

• Ucare premiums depend on which plan you choose and whether you live in the Twin Cities or in greater Minnesota. As of June 2010, they range from $35 to $129 per month. Ucare offers three Medicare Advantage plans plus a special needs plan. The Classic plan requires co-pays for specialist office visits and inpatient hospital care but none for primary care doctor office visits, and has worldwide emergency care, prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing aid coverage. The Value Plus plan offers everything in the Classic plan except dental, vision and hearing aid coverage. The basic Value plan includes no co-pay for primary care doctor office visits, co-pays for specialist office visits and hospital stays, and worldwide emergency care coverage. Ucare's special needs plan, Minnesota Senior Health Options, includes prescription drug coverage, free YMCA membership, dental coverage and a care coordinator.

  Ucare

  500 Stinson Blvd. NE

  Minneapolis, MN 55413

  877-523-1515

  612-676-3600

  Ucare.org