HealthPartners® Freedom WI (Cost) plans are an affordable way to get more out of Medicare, offering quality medical coverage, an extensive provider network, and extra perks and benefits Original Medicare doesn’t offer.
Unless otherwise indicated, the chart below lists what you pay:
| Plan details | Balance WI plan | Vital WI plan | Basic WI plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available in these Wisconsin counties | Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Washburn | Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Washburn | Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix and Washburn |
| Monthly premium | $145 | $80 | $55 |
| In-network providers | Over 102,000 providers – | Over 102,000 providers – | Over 102,000 providers – |
| In-network doctor visits | $15 (primary) / $15 (specialty) | $15 (primary) / $40 (specialty) | 20% (primary) / 20% (specialty) |
| Routine eye and hearing exams | $0 | $0 | Not covered |
| In-network out-of-pocket limit | $4,000 | $5,000 | None |
| International urgent and emergency care | 20% | 20% | Not covered |
| Senior fitness programs through SilverSneakers® | Included | Included | Not included |
| Optional add-on coverage | Comprehensive dental care ($51.60/month); Home health care, chiropractic care and skilled nursing facility care ($42/month) | Comprehensive dental care ($51.60/month) | Not available |
For more information on all your Medicare plan options, visit medicare.gov.
Medicare Cost plans offer additional benefits and perks on top of Original Medicare. While the benefits of a Medicare Cost plan are often similar to a Medicare Advantage plan, Cost plans operate a little differently.
Medicare Cost plans work alongside Original Medicare. This means if you go out of network for care, your Original Medicare benefits will kick in for covered services. Cost plans also offer more flexibility, because you can drop your Cost plan and go back to Original Medicare at any time. Medicare Cost plans also usually come with extra perks and benefits you can’t get with Original Medicare.
You can enroll in a Medicare Cost plan even if you only have Original Medicare Part B. This is different from Medicare Advantage plans, where you need to have both Parts A and B to enroll.
Medicare Cost plans often include features and benefits you don’t get with Original Medicare. Perks vary by plan but may include:
- Generally lower costs than Original Medicare for in-network doctor visits and covered services
- Options to add on supplemental Medicare dental coverage
- Travel coverage for domestic and international trips
- Additional vision and hearing benefits
- Fitness programs like SilverSneakers to keep you healthy
Medicare Cost plans may or may not include Part D prescription drug coverage. If you want this coverage and your Medicare Cost plan doesn’t include it, you can get it by also enrolling in a stand-alone Part D plan that works alongside your Cost plan. To browse stand-alone Medicare Part D plans, visit medicare.gov.
Like Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Cost plans have a network of doctors, providers, clinics and hospitals, which helps keep costs low.
But unlike Medicare Advantage plans, if you go out of your Cost plan’s network for covered care, your Original Medicare benefits will kick in. If that happens, you’ll pay Original Medicare’s coinsurance and deductibles.
If you’d like to enroll in a medical-only Medicare Cost plan (or switch plans), you can do so at any time throughout the year. The only requirements are that the plan is open for enrollment and that you’ve already enrolled in Medicare Part B. Coverage from any new plan starts on the first of the month after the date you enroll.
If you’d like to enroll in a Medicare Cost plan that has Part D prescription drug coverage, you can only do so during certain periods. These include Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), and Special Enrollment Period (SEPs) triggered by certain qualifying events like moving or losing your current coverage.
Enjoy in-network cost sharing for up to nine months of U.S. travel. Most plans also include coverage for travel counseling from a health care provider, and worldwide emergency and urgent care coverage.
Stay healthy and happy by staying active. Most plans include SilverSneakers, a fitness program for HealthPartners Medicare members that offers access to thousands of gyms and fitness centers nationwide, on-demand workout videos, and much more.
With most plans, you can add on supplemental Medicare dental coverage for routine cleanings, fillings, surgery and more. And with our Balance plan, you can add optional coverage for home health care, chiropractic care and skilled nursing facility care.
Get one-on-one help from our Medicare experts.
HealthPartners is a Cost plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HealthPartners depends on contract renewal. The Medicare Cost Plan is offered by HealthPartners Insurance Company.
Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services.
SilverSneakers® is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. ©2026 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Last updated October 2026
Y0095_005698_M Accepted 09/26/26
H2422_005698_M Accepted 09/26/26
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