NextBlue of North Dakota expands Medicare Advantage service

NextBlue of North Dakota Insurance Company (NextBlue) announced its expansion in the state’s Medicare Advantage market. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) affiliate will increase its service areas from five counties to 40 counties across North Dakota, bringing Medicare Advantage to areas that have previously not had access to the service. A service area map is available on page two of this document. In addition, NextBlue’s network of participating providers has grown with the addition of Altru Health System, Trinity Health, and other key critical access hospitals and rural health clinics throughout North Dakota. Existing health systems in the NextBlue network include Essentia Health and Sanford Health.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, combines traditional Medicare—parts A and B—into one easy-to-manage plan along with additional health-enhancing benefits. These plans fit the needs of seniors by offering low premiums, as well as, rich and expanded benefits. Plans often include coverage for prescription drugs, routine vision and eyewear coverage, dental coverage, hearing aids, fitness center memberships, over-the-counter medications/supplies, and clinical support.

“We’re excited to expand our services for North Dakotans to make these high-value plans more widely available,” said NextBlue’s president, Beth West, an experienced leader of multi-state Medicare Advantage health plans. “Instead of the typical a la carte approach to Medicare, Medicare Advantage enrollees get everything wrapped into one plan with a local neighborhood agent and excellent service.”’

In its inaugural year in 2021, NextBlue coverage quickly became the fastest growing plan in our service area for Medicare-eligible North Dakotans in Burleigh, Cass, Morton, Richland and Stutsman counties. Enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans is growing year over year. According to the 2021 Deft Research Medicare Shopping and Switching Study, 42.5% of people nationwide who are Medicare eligible have chosen Medicare Advantage plans for their coverage. With this significant expansion in 2022, NextBlue will be available to 87% of the Medicare eligibles in North Dakota.

For more information, please visit NextBlueND.com, call 1-844-753-8038 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or attend a NextBlue Medicare benefits event this fall. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-844-753-8038 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.