Private fee-for-service plans being dropped by some medical providers

A few years back, Minnesota saw the introduction of a new type of Medicare Advantage plan called Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS). These relatively new plans have no network; you can use any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital that agrees to accept your plan’s fees. This has recently become an issue for some members of these types of plans. The Senior Federation has helped individuals over the last few years who have run into issues with their provider, clinic, or hospital not accepting their Private Fee-for-Service carrier. Effective April 1, 2008, Park Nicollet Clinic and Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital will no longer accept Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plans. They join the HealthPartners metropolitan area clinics, who have declined to accept Medicare Private Fee-for-Service insurance all along.

Park Nicollet currently is contacting their patients with these types of plans to let them know about the change. Those people who use Park Nicollet Clinics or services should check their current carrier. Enrollees with Private Fee-for-Service plans that have questions should contact their carrier or the Minnesota Senior Federation’s Health Plan Information Center at 651/783-5045. If you have group coverage through a former employer or union, call your group administrator.

Following are all Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service products currently being sold in Minnesota. Other Medicare supplemental options, including other types of Medicare Advantage exist for individuals that are not a good fit for Private Fee-for-Service plans.   .

Medicare Advantage Private-Fee-for-Service Plans

Advantra Freedom 1*
Advantra Freedom 2*
Advantra Freedom 3*

Aetna Medicare Open Value Plan (Kanabec County only)
Aetna Medicare Open Value with Rx (Kanabec County only)
Aetna Medicare Open Premier Plan (Kanabec County only)
Aetna Medicare Open Premier with Rx (Kanabec County only)

HealthPartners Liberty Medicare Rx

Humana Gold Choice 169
Humana Gold Choice 170

Medica Advantage Solution Standard*
Medica Advantage Solution with Rx
Medica Advantage Solution Choice

MHP North Star*

SecureHorizons MedicareDirect Plan 3A*
SecureHorizons MedicareDirect Plan 3*

Sterling Option I*
Sterling Option II
Sterling Option III*
Sterling Option IV

Today’s Options Basic*
Today’s Options Basic Plus
Today’s Options Powered by CCRx Basic Plus
Today’s Options Value*
Today’s Options Value Plus
Today’s Options Powered by CCRx Value Plus
Today’s Options Premier*
Today’s Options Premier Plus
Today’s Options Powered by CCRx Premier Plus

Unicare SecurityChoice Plus
Unicare SecurityChoice Classic*
Unicare SecurityChoice Enhanced*
Unicare SecurityChoice Enhanced Plus

WellCare Prelude*
WellCare Sonata*
WellCare Concert
WellCare Duet*