How Do Medicare Advantage Plans in North Dakota Work?
For North Dakota residents who are age 65 and older, now is the time to start thinking about your Medicare Insurance healthcare coverage and what to expect from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Medicare, the federally administered program, is the main source of health insurance coverage for North Dakota residents 65 years of age and older as well as for certain disabled people who are younger than age 65.
If you’re looking for information on Medicare Advantage plans, it’s good to start with the basics. Medicare Advantage is also known as Medicare Part C. These plans offer North Dakota residents a way to receive Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (medical/doctor’s office insurance) coverage. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in North Dakota are offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans are approved by Medicare, offer at least the same level of coverage as Medicare Parts A and B and replace coverage by Medicare Parts A and B.
Many people in North Dakota select a Medicare Advantage plan because of the additional benefits that may be included. North Dakota residents who want coverage for routine medical services as well as vision, dental and hearing coverage may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota because these benefits are often included.
How Is Eligibility for a Medicare Advantage Plan Determined in North Dakota?
Knowing if you’re eligible for Part C/MA plan is the same as being eligible for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. If you’re eligible for Parts A and B, you’re also good for Part C, assuming you reside in a county/zip code where MA plans are sold. A Medicare Advantage plan specific to North Dakota residents could possibly save you money as many of the Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on the Medicare Advantage plan in which you enroll.
North Dakota residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan at the same time. A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan may help cover some of the gaps in coverage such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that aren’t covered by Medicare Parts A and B.
Are Prescription Drugs Covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan in North Dakota?
Any resident of North Dakota looking for prescription drug coverage should consider a Medicare Part C plan since most Medicare Advantage plans also have a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. A Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage is called a MAPD and can help cover some of the costs of prescription drugs.
Most Popular North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plans
Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota is as unique as the person the plan is there to support. Among North Dakota residents who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, the majority (98%) choose a Local PPO, while 2% choose an HMO/HMOPOS plan, as reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS.gov). Knowing how much Medicare plan coverage . Knowing how much Medicare plan coverage you need will help you determine the right Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota for your needs and budget.
You can become more informed about Medicare Advantage plans available in North Dakota by contacting a SelectQuote licensed sales agent who can guide you through the Medicare maze. Acting as your advocate, our licensed sales agents help you weigh the Medicare Advantage plan options in your area, understand costs and answer questions throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help find a plan that’s right for you.
North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Period
Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan occurs during specified enrollment periods. Medicare enrollment in North Dakota opens for residents prior to turning age 65 or earlier in special disability cases. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months.
IEP begins three months before turning age 65, including the birthday month, and ends 3 months after the birthday month. It is also the time allotted for enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. For example, if you’re a North Dakota resident with a February birthday, your IEP runs from November through May.
You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs annually each fall. Medicare’s AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The key dates for AEP are as follows:
Oct. 15 – Annual Enrollment Period Begins
Dec. 7 – Annual Enrollment Period Ends
Jan. 1 – First Date Coverage can start
During the Annual Enrollment every year, North Dakota residents can:
- Switch from Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
- Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
- Switch from one Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to another
- Add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan if you didn’t enroll when first eligible for Medicare
In addition to AEP, North Dakota residents who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time plan change during the Open Enrollment (OEP) period, which occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. There are also Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) you may be able to enroll in Medicare or make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage coverage because of certain events and life changes, such as moving or losing employer coverage.
Is a North Dakota Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?
When you’re ready to enroll, SelectQuote can help ensure you are getting all the available benefits you deserve, plus we can help you stay up to date with the annual updates made to Medicare plans by insurance companies. As an independent and trusted third-party company, SelectQuote is here to help you find the right Medicare Advantage plan in North Dakota to meet your needs.
To ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to receive, call or complete your online form today. Let SelectQuote’s personal licensed sales agents simplify the Medicare maze by comparing rates and independently shopping insurance companies to help you find an affordable option that meets your unique needs.
