Medicare staying put in county

Medicare Cost plans are not going away for 21 counties in the state, including Carlton County.

Medicare Cost plans provide additional coverage to help pay for expenses that original Medicare doesn’t cover, and they are administered by private insurance companies. Platinum Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Prime Solutions (Medica), and Freedom (HealthPartners) are Cost plans.

Starr Marshall, a Medicare agent at Reliable Agency in Cloquet, says the news will ease fears.

“I have been receiving calls from clients that are concerned about this and I am pleased to let you know you can stop worrying,” Marshall said. “The advertising calls and letters you are getting say you ‘may’ lose your coverage but if you are in an approved county, this is not true.”

The Medicare Cost plans will continue through 2021 in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Goodhue, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pipestone, Rice, Rock, Sibley, St. Louis, Stevens, Traverse and Yellow Medicine counties.

“Don’t feel bad hanging up on telemarketers trying to sell you something over the phone, or throwing all the mail you get out if it doesn’t relate to your plan,” Marshall said. “Always check with your insurance agent before getting talked into other plans that may not fit your needs.”

One final warning: Medicare guidelines and regulations are always subject to change.