Open enrollment period for 2017 begins on the November, 1, 2016! We know that we need health insurance, but how do we decide which plan is best for us and our family members? You wonder if you’ll need to give up the next weekend -- or weekends -- to sift through the...
Hikes seen in 2016 Insurance Rates
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotan residents are preparing themselves for the increase in the 2016 insurance rates. Many major insurance companies have proposed increases of about 20% each. Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Minnesota's largest insurer for individual...
Rising Health Insurance Premiums for 2016
On Thursday, October 1, 2015, the Minnesota Department of Commerce will be releasing 2016 rates for individual policies. HealthPartners are expected to increase rates to about 24% while Medica will have a 14% increase. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the...
Medicare Advantage Premiums To Decrease in 2016
Federal agencies stated that there will be a 31 cents decrease in the average Medicare Advantage premiums from 2015. Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) stated that 60% of Advantage beneficiaries will not see an increase in their premium next year. CMS is...
Debate continues to swirl around UCare
Debate continues to swirl around Minnesota's contested bidding process for administration of MA and MNCare health plans. This process has resulted in UCare losing its contract in all 87 of Minnesota's counties. All their members in affected plans, hundreds of...
Significant Savings Available for Minnesota Residents on COBRA
MNsure recently announced a Special Enrollment Period for Minnesota Residents on COBRA. If you are on COBRA, you can look for opportunities to save money from Aug 17, 2015 through Oct 15, 2015. If you are on COBRA, take a look at this as the potential savings can be...
MNsure Announces Selected Rates
On Friday, 9/6/2013 MNsure announced selected rates for Minnesotans seeking coverage though the new health care exchange. Many of these rates have gotten people excited with catastrophic coverage starting as low as $77 per month for a 25 year old. A 25 year old could...
Are Health Care Costs Postponing Your Retirement?
A recent article from the Washington Posts Wonkblog suggests health care costs are postponing retirement for a lot of folks. One reason naturally is the costs. Another reason is fear of the costs. Depending on where you live and what your situation is the cost of...
Smoking is becoming even more expensive
Usually we write about Medicare topics here, but for many of the married couples we talk to one spouse often needs individual insurance for a year or two before going on Medicare. This “pre-65” individual insurance is getting much more expensive for some people. We...