Medicare beneficiaries in certain Iowa and Illinois counties will have more options come the next open enrollment period. Pending regulatory approval, HealthPartners UnityPoint Health will offer Medicare Advantage plans starting with this year's Medicare open enrollment, which begins October 15, HealthPartners announced.
The plans will be available in select Iowa and western Illinois counties during Medicare's open enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
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According to HealthPartners, Medicare Advantage plans typically carry lower costs and more flexibility, making them attractive to consumers. They also explained Medicare Advantage plans offer affordability, convenience and simplicity because they combine medical benefits and prescription drug coverage into one plan. Other Medicare plans are often sold separately, which means consumers may need to use as many as three different plans to cover all of their health care needs, HealthPartners said.
Coverage under the Medicare Advantage plans would start Jan. 1, 2017. Product and premium details will be available Oct. 1, 2016.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn