If you’re a South Dakota Medicare beneficiary enrolled in a Medica Advantage Value, Medica Advantage Select, or HealthPartners Cost plan, the South Dakota Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE) program is reminding you to act soon to maintain your Medicare coverage in 2026.
The Medica Advantage Value, Medica Advantage Select, and HealthPartners Cost plans will no longer be available in South Dakota after 2025. If beneficiaries don’t choose a new plan, their coverage will automatically switch to Original Medicare (Parts A and B only) starting January 1, 2026. This could leave beneficiaries without prescription drug coverage and may result in a late enrollment penalty.
Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the impacted Medica and HealthPartners plans can:
- Choose a new Medicare Advantage plan that is available in their area; or
- Sign up for a stand-alone Part D (prescription drug) plan and a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy with no health questions asked; or
- Enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan of their choosing.
SHIINE also advises that some Medica members may have received a brochure titled “2026 Quick Start Series” that incorrectly stated that no action was needed. That information is incorrect. If beneficiaries are enrolled in a Medica Advantage Value or Medica Advantage Select plan, they must make take action to select a new plan.
“We want to make sure South Dakotans don’t lose important coverage,” said CJ Swartz, Director of SHIINE. “Our SHIINE team is here to help beneficiaries understand their options and make the best choice for their health and budget. We encourage everyone affected by these plan changes to review their notices carefully and reach out to SHIINE for free, unbiased assistance. SHIINE appointments fill up fast.”
For more information or one-on-one help, contact SHIINE at 1-888-854-5321 or visit www.shiine.net to get started.
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