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Medicare Cost

Medicare Cost plans: The benefits and network to help you live healthier

We’re here to help you find a Medicare Cost plan that’s affordable, makes it easy to see doctors you trust and helps you get the benefits you need, including:

  • Trusted networks of doctors and clinicians, featuring top care systems from across the Midwest
  • Plans that include dental, vision and eyeglasses, hearing aids, travel coverage, and a fitness program through SilverSneakers®
  • Low monthly premiums, with preventive and primary care visit copays as low as $0
You can make sure we have a Medicare Cost plan in the county where you live by selecting the

You’ll find a list of counties here.

Available in select counties

Plans available in these counties:

  • Barnes
  • Burleigh
  • Cass
  • Dickey
  • Grand Forks
  • Kidder
  • LaMoure
  • Morton
  • Oliver
  • Ransom
  • Richland
  • Sargent
  • Stutsman
  • Traill
Available in select counties

Plans available in these counties:

  • Brookings
  • Brown
  • Butte
  • Clay
  • Codington
  • Davison
  • Day
  • Deuel
  • Grant
  • Lake
  • Lawrence
  • Lincoln
  • McCook
  • Meade
  • Minnehaha
  • Moody
  • Pennington
  • Sanborn
  • Turner
  • Union
  • Yankton
Available in select counties

Plans available in these counties:

  • Burnett
  • Douglas
  • Dunn
  • Pierce
  • Polk
  • St. Croix
  • Washburn

Medicare Cost plans offer additional benefits and perks on top of Original Medicare. Some Cost plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. While the benefits are often similar, Cost plans operate a little differently from Medicare Advantage plans.

How does Medicare Cost work?

Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, you don’t need to be enrolled in both Original Medicare Parts A and B to enroll in a Medicare Cost plan. You can enroll even if you only have Part B.

Medicare Cost plans also work alongside Original Medicare. This means if you go out of network for care, your Original Medicare benefits will kick in for covered services. You can also drop your Cost plan and go back to Original Medicare at any time.

What benefits and coverage come with Medicare Cost?

Medicare Cost plans often include features and benefits that you don’t get with Original Medicare, including:

  • Generally lower costs than Original Medicare for in-network doctor visits and covered services
  • Dental care
  • Travel coverage
  • Services like routine eye exams and hearing exams
  • Fitness programs to keep you healthy

If you need prescription drug coverage, you can get it through:

  • A Cost plan that includes Part D coverage
  • A standalone Part D plan that works alongside your Cost plan (if your Cost plan doesn't include Part D coverage)

What kind of doctors and providers can I see with Medicare Cost?

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 the Part A or Part B coinsurance and deductibles.

How do I compare Medicare Cost plans?

We’ve made it simple – just head over to our compare Medicare plans page. Answer a few questions and we’ll help you explore and compare your options to find a plan that works for you.

From there, it’s easy to use our online shopping tool. All you need is your current ZIP code and county to compare all HealthPartners plans available in your area, including Medicare Cost plans. You can filter plans to find features you want and get details on the options you’re interested in. Plus, if you’re in an enrollment period, you can begin the application process for the plan that’s right for you.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Cost plan?

There are several times throughout the year when you’re eligible to enroll in or change your Medicare Cost plan:

  • Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 to December 7 During Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP),you can enroll in a Medicare Cost plan for the first time or switch to a different plan. You can also drop your plan and go back to Original Medicare. Coverage from any new plan starts on January 1 of the next year.
  • Initial Enrollment Period: When you turn 65 – If you sign up for Original Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you can enroll in a private Medicare plan any time after you’ve signed up for Original Medicare and are still in your IEP.
  • Special Enrollment Period (SEP) – After certain events, such as moving or losing your current Medicare plan, you may qualify for an SEP that allows you to enroll in a different plan.

To see if your doctor or care team is covered, explore our extensive Medicare plan networks.

Medicare plan features that go the extra mile

At HealthPartners, we believe that a great Medicare Cost plan goes beyond excellent benefits and perks. We go further by making it easier to get the most out of your plan with flexible options for getting the care you need while managing costs.

If you want or need to see a specialist, you don’t need to wait for a referral from your primary care doctor.

All Medicare Cost plans include unlimited, no-cost visits to our online clinic Virtuwell. At Virtuwell, you can get a diagnosis, treatment plan and prescription for more than 60 common conditions – all online with no appointments, waiting rooms or video calls.

We work to bring more to our plans this year and every year – making sure that your plan fits the way you live today, tomorrow and beyond.

Legal information

Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat HealthPartners 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.

All content ©2022 TruHearing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TruHearing® is a registered trademark of TruHearing, Inc.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2022 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Last updated January 2023

H2422_002804 Approved
H2462 H4882_002804 Accepted