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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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.
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Statement on House passing Prior Authorization Legislation
“Prior authorization is a critical tool for ensuring safe, effective and efficient treatment for patients. Individuals and employers greatly benefit from the associated cost savings and lower premiums. Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are proud to have played a key role in refining this legislation to ensure that important elements supporting patient safety and lower costs were maintained.”
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
COVID-19 Prevention is Vital as Summer Season Approaches
Don’t drink and drive, wear your seat belt and put on your sunscreen are being joined by wash your hands, wear your mask and stay 6 feet away from others as universal messages this summer from healthcare professionals.
How Minnesota’s Nonprofit Health Plans Are Stepping Up During the Pandemic
One silver lining of this unprecedented crisis is that it is also bringing people together in ways big and small. If we needed any more evidence that our Council members support the overall well-being of their enrollees, then this situation is proving it.
ACA Turning 10 During A Pandemic
Ghita Worcester, SVP of Public Affairs & CMO, shared her take on the ACA turning 10 during a pandemic – and UCare’s experience as an ACA leader: www.linkedin.com/pulse/aca-turns-10-pandemic-ghita-worcester/
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
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Film Festival: Vote for the Winners
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The International Corporate Citizenship Film Festival is the largest film festival devoted exclusively to celebrating the work and storytelling of CSR professionals, their companies, and programs.
A Blue Cross associate's dedication = dollars for the nonprofit she supports
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Coronavirus: Sanford Health reacts to new strain - Sanford Health News
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Sanford Health physicians are advising caution as the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency.This content isn't available right now
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Free Car Seats in All 50 US States: The Ultimate Guide
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sourceSo you have a little bundle of joy on the way and you’re strapped for cash. And you know that some things are a necessity – like a car seat.What do you do?Luckily, there are government progr...
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The small rise is due to lower death rates for cancer and drug overdoses.