Getting care
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans has worked for more than 30 years to improve care for everyone. We work with local health insurance companies that serve communities, not Wall Street shareholders, to make sure Minnesotans get the care they need, today and in the future.
Minnesota Health Plans Waiving Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced that Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are voluntarily waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and in-patient treatment for enrollees as part of a framework to support and protect the health of Minnesotans amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The health and safety of Minnesotans are the highest priorities of the nonprofit plans we represent,” said Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Council. “Uniform access to appropriate and affordable treatment is critical to controlling the scope of the pandemic, particularly for those with underlying medical conditions.”
Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans that have committed to this framework:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield/Blue Plus of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
- Hennepin Health
- Medica
- PreferredOne
- UCare
For more information and to review the latest guidance from our state and federal officials, please visit:
Minnesota Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Facts About Prescription Drugs
Even if you don’t need prescription drugs you’re paying for them in your premiums each month. And those drugs are getting more and more expensive. Why and what can we do about it? You’ll find a lot more information here.
Diabetes medication unaffordable for many today
The price of insulin — a lifesaving drug — has increased more 240 percent over the past decade. That means prices have jumped from $90 to often more than $300 a vial. Listen to what U of M pharmacy school professor Angie Carlson, Ph.D., has to say about insulin. Carlson sat down with Council staff to talk about stories like this one about a man from Minneapolis who died because he needed insulin, and share her 40 years of experience in the industry. Carlson’s question is how long should people have to pay for improvements that have been available for 30 years. Minnesota’s Attorney General is suing drug companies for pricing insulin out of reach for many patients.
What's happened with insulin?
News
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Statement on the Death of George Floyd
"Minnesota's nonprofit health plans are deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd. The issues of racism and violence in our communities cannot be ignored, and we stand with Minnesotans in taking steps to ensure that the human rights of all people are protected. We also recognize that the health care needs of members may have shifted amid recent events, and health plans are here to support their members. Please contact your plan provider if you have questions or need guidance in accessing care or prescriptions."
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Minnesota Health Plans Announce Additional Support for People Affected by COVID-19
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today that Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are enhancing support for enrollees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by extending cost-sharing waivers for in-patient treatment.
News Coverage
2020
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Star Tribune
Minnesota health plans say $220 million in income will help with COVID-19 costs
Minnesota’s nonprofit health insurers posted about $220 million in operating income last year, a figure that the carriers’ trade group said is down from 2018 but still shows financial stability with the likely onset of COVID-19 medical bills.
Our Blog
Let’s Do Our Part to Take Care of Our Health During the Pandemic
While we continue to do everything we can to minimize the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, hand washing and wearing masks in public, we must also get the care that protects and improves our health, according to the Chief Medical Officers of Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans.
Recommendations to Care For Mental Health Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
To gain a better understanding of how the pandemic has affected mental health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota had a conversation with Dr. Steven Sehr, senior medical director for behavioral health at Blue Cross, and Dr. Ryan Van Wyk, specialty lead for the North Memorial Health Mental Health Services Center.
How Minnesota Health Plans Are Listening and Leading on Racial Justice
Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans have long valued diversity, equity and inclusion, and in the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death, they have made robust pledges to further advance racial justice within their organizations and in our communities.
Get Care
Lost your insurance card? No problem. Want to find out how much you’ll pay or compare prices for care you need? Can you get care online? Wondering how the quality of the care you get is measured?
It’s all here.
Get Insurance
Insurance helps you pay medical bills, everything from the entire bill for preventive care that helps keep you well to helping pay for prescriptions and care when you need it. Insurance companies also do a lot of work behind the scenes to help you be well and ensure you get good care.
Understand Insurance
We all need care—not only medical care when we’re sick or injured—but also preventive care to keep us well. Health insurance is how we join together to pay for care because it’s too expensive to pay for on our own.
From the Council’s Members
What Our Members Are Talking About
WHO: Coronavirus unaffected by seasonal changes
thehill.com
The novel coronavirus does not appear to wax and wane with the passing of the seasons, experts at the World Health Organization said Monday.
