Out of the 2,200-plus senior citizens of Brookings, South Dakota, 20% chose to enroll in Medicare Advantage, and 50% have Medigap plans. This means that 30% of Brookings seniors may have serious Medicare coverage gaps.
Let’s break down why Medicare Supplement Insurance is important and what types of Brookings, South Dakota, Medicare supplemental plans you may consider.
Medicare plans in Brookings, South Dakota
A supplemental Medicare insurance plan can cut out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare beneficiaries when they run into medical costs that exceed Medicare’s basic coverage scope. A Medicare Advantage or a Medigap plan can supplement Original Medicare coverage in Brookings, South Dakota for hospital stays, hospice care, outpatient care, and more.
The quotes specified below refer to a 65-year-old female in Brookings, SD.
Cheapest Medicare Advantage plans in Brookings, South Dakota
Residents of Brookings, SD, can currently choose from 27 Medicare Advantage plans. Many of these plans cover prescription drugs and provide other benefits, like vision, dental, and hearing, that traditional Medicare won’t cover.
Local zero-premium Medicare Advantage plan providers include Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. Humana, a popular nationwide provider, offers a plan with a MOOP (maximum out-of-pocket) expenditure of $4,900.
Aetna, another solid Brookings, South Dakota, Medicare Advantage provider, has a slightly lower MOOP of $4,500. Like Humana, Aetna’s Medicare Advantage plan in Brookings rates four stars.
Finally, UnitedHealthcare boasts the lowest MOOP available in Brookings, SD, at only $3,900. Like its competitors, this plan has a four-star rating. Learn more about the Medicare rating system and what it means for beneficiaries.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $0 | $4,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $4,900 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Medica | $0 | $4,500 | 1876 COST | 4 |
| Sanford Health | $0 | $5,000 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
Average Medicare Supplement plans in Brookings, SD
Medigap plans help beneficiaries minimize upfront costs for eligible medical expenses. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement plans in Brookings, South Dakota provide nationwide standardized coverage. The only difference across the US is the monthly premium.
Plan G is one of Brookings’s most popular Medigap choices, with monthly premiums ranging from $102.23 to $415.94. Apart from the Part B deductible, this plan provides 100% coverage for Medicare Part A and B.
Plan HDG, or High Deductible G, is another popular and affordable choice. This plan’s beneficiaries are responsible for covering 20% of eligible services up to the max deductible of $2,490 as of 2022. The monthly premiums for Plan HDG in Brookings, SD, fall between $31.02 and $83.90.
Additionally, many Brookings seniors choose Plan F with a premium range of $128.29 to $437.87. Plan F is the most comprehensive of the current Medicare Supplement plans and covers all Part A and Part B eligible expenses, including the deductible, plus other costs like nursing facilities and foreign travel emergencies.
| LETTER PLAN | LOWEST PREMIUM | HIGHEST PREMIUM |
| PLAN A | $97.00 | $273.32 |
| PLAN B | $135.55 | $336.25 |
| PLAN C | $167.67 | $434.50 |
| PLAN D | $121.49 | $279.61 |
| PLAN F | $128.29 | $437.87 |
| PLAN HDF | $33.00 | $101.80 |
| PLAN G | $102.23 | $415.94 |
| PLAN HDG | $31.02 | $83.90 |
| PLAN K | $54.73 | $149.56 |
| PLAN L | $72.92 | $248.50 |
| PLAN M | $120.37 | $195.85 |
| PLAN N | $84.21 | $282.62 |
Affordable Medicare Part D prescription drug plans
Medicare Part D plans cover prescription drug costs. Medigap plans and many Medicare Advantage plans don’t cover prescription med costs, so standalone Part D plans in Brookings, South Dakota, help fill this gap.
Humana’s Part D coverage is among the top-value nationwide plans. In Brookings, SD, Humana offers a Part D plan with a premium of $22.70 and a deductible cost of $480. This plan boasts a solid four-star rating.
UnitedHealthcare’s similarly rated plan comes with a slightly higher premium of $29.30 but a lower deductible of $310.
Aetna’s Part D plan offers the lowest monthly premium in Brookings, only $6.80, with a deductible of $480. However, this plan has a three-star rating.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING |
| Aetna | $6.80 | $480 | 3 |
| Wellcare | $10.60 | $480 | 3 |
| Clear Spring | $16.60 | $480 | 2 |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 |
Medicare Special Needs plans
SNPs (Special Needs Plans) are Medicare Advantage plans targeting individuals with special needs or chronic disabilities. SNPs include D-SNPs (Dual Eligible SNPs) for people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, C-SNPs (Chronic Condition SNPs) for individuals living with diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, or end-stage renal disease, and I-SNPs (Institutional SNPs) for some beneficiaries who require institutional care.
One problem with SNPs is their limited availability in many areas. For instance, Brookings, SD residents have only one SNP option: UnitedHealthcare’s D-SNP with a $0 premium and a $7,550 MOOP.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | ELIGIBILITY |
| UnitedHealthcare | $0 | $7,550 | LOCAL PPO | Dual |
FAQs
Why is my first Medicare bill so high in Brookings, SD?
If your first Medicare bill is higher than you expected, check whether you were late to enroll. Late enrollment may incur penalties, adding to your first Medicare Premium bill.
How can I get my Medicare premiums lowered in Brookings, SD?
You may apply to Social Security through form SSA-44 and ask to reduce your premiums based on a change in your financial circumstances. Also, check whether some of your Medicare premiums fall under tax-deductible medical expenses.
Does getting Medicare Advantage make you lose Original Medicare in Brookings, SD?
You will still have your Original Medicare if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. However, most of your Part A and Part B coverage will come from Medicare Advantage rather than Original Medicare.
Is Medicare Part A free at age 65 in Brookings, SD?
Residents of Brookings, SD, who are 65 or older might qualify for premium-free Medicare if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for a minimum of 10 years. Use the eligibility tool at Medicare.gov to determine whether you qualify for free Part A Medicare.
Can I add Medicare Part D at any time in Brookings, SD?
You can enroll in Medicare Part D during two periods: the initial seven-month enrollment period, which depends on when you turn 65, and the Open Enrollment Period which starts on October 15 and ends on December 7.
How to sign up for Medicare plans in Brookings
Although deciding to get a Brookings, South Dakota Medicare Supplemental plan is the right one, it’s still extremely important to ensure it’s done with care. That’s why our licensed insurance agents are here to assist you!
Our agents work with all the top carriers for Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans. Their time and knowledge are free to you, and they aim to ensure you have the best health coverage for your specific needs.
So give our agents a call today. Or take a moment to fill out our online rate form to receive the best rates in Brookings, South Dakota.
