South Dakota Senior Health Insurance
Explore Your Options
South Dakota is most famously known for being the home of Mount Rushmore. Many travel to South Dakota for this reason along with its camping, scenic drives and historic sites. Whether you grew up in South Dakota or moved there later in life, it’s important to know what your Senior Health Insurance options are when you become eligible for Medicare. Some important things to consider when selecting your Senior Health Insurance are doctor preference, medications, hospital choice, benefits and cost.
The Senior Health Insurance options available in South Dakota can be broken down into three plan types: Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap), Prescription Drug Plans (Part D), and Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C). Let’s take a minute to explore these options.
Medicare Supplement Plans are standardized by the government, meaning that benefits do not vary between the carriers that offer them. What does vary is customer service, premiums and carrier reputation. Medicare Supplement Plans are state-wide, meaning anyone in South Dakota can have one. Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage, bringing us to your next option.
Prescription Drug Plans (Medicare Part D) are most often paired with Medicare Supplement Plans but can also be purchased as a stand-alone plan to pair with your Medicare Parts A and B. Prescription Drug Plans are designed to help you pay for your prescriptions. Plan premiums, copays and deductibles will vary between the different carriers that offer these plans. Be sure that the plan you enroll into covers all of your prescriptions and you know the costs associated with each medication. If you need Extra Help paying for your prescriptions, please click here to see if you qualify.
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private health insurance companies. These plans are approved by Medicare and hold an annual contract. This type of plan is network based so you may need to obtain a referral to see a doctor outside of your Primary Care Physician. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include prescription drug coverage, giving you a wide variety of coverage. These are county-based plans, meaning you may not have the same plan options as the county next to you.
Some retirees of North Dakota also have benefits with Indian Health Services. The relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes constitutes various rules to follow. However, CMS has made Medicare and Medicaid healthcare services accessible to all Native Americans who eligible. For more information visit http://www.ihs.gov
Senior Resources:
Medicare: www.medicare.gov
Indian Health Services: http://www.ihs.gov
South Dakota Department of Human Services: http://dhs.sd.gov/
South Dakota Adult Services and Aging: https://dhs.sd.gov/en/ltss
