NextBlue expanding Medicare Advantage service to most of North Dakota

By Helmut Schmidt

October 01, 2021 at 9:57 AM

FARGO - A Fargo-based firm is expanding its Medicare Advantage service area in North Dakota.

NextBlue of North Dakota Insurance Co. will increase its service area from five counties to 40 of the state’s 53 counties, the company. announced Friday, Oct. 1.

The five counties where the Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate started its service are Burleigh, Cass, Morton, Richland and Stutsman.

Existing health systems in the NextBlue network include Essentia Health and Sanford Health. It is adding Altru Health System, Trinity Health and other key critical access hospitals and rural health clinics.

NextBlue will be available to 87% of the Medicare eligible people in North Dakota in 2022.

To learn more,go online to NextBlueND.com , or call 1-844-753-8038 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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According Medicare.gov , under original Medicare, the government pays for Medicare benefits when you get them. Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. Medicare pays the companies to cover Medicare benefits.

If someone joins a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan will provide all of the Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) coverage. Medicare Advantage plans provide expanded benefits for a premium. Plans often include coverage for prescription drugs, routine vision and eyewear coverage, dental coverage, hearing aids, fitness center memberships, over-the-counter medications/supplies, and clinical support.

By Helmut Schmidt

Helmut Schmidt is a business reporter at The Forum. He’s a German import, arriving in the United States about a decade after the Volkswagen beetle. After graduating high school in Cottage Grove, Minn., he served in the U.S. Army as a microwave radio operator and repairman. He earned a journalism degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, then started at the Albert Lea Tribune in southeastern Minnesota, where he served three years as its managing editor. At The Forum, he has covered various beats, including K-12 schools, city government, cops and courts, and the business community. Contact Helmut at 701-241-5583 or hschmidt@forumcomm.com.

NextBlue expanding Medicare Advantage service to most of North Dakota

NextBlue will be available to 87% of the Medicare eligible people in the state in 2022.