2025 Guide to Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota
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South Dakota's Top Medicare Advantage Plans: How to Find Yours
If you are thinking about getting out of Original Medicare and into a Medicare Advantage plan available in South Dakota, you're not alone. Nearly half of the estimated 64 million people with Medicare will join a Medicare Advantage plan this year. Some join to get more benefits. Some join to save money. And some like a plan's doctors and other healthcare providers.
This page aims to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in South Dakota, identifying the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific region. This information is vital since plan availability varies across different areas.
Table of Contents
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Comparing the Leading Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota
Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews and rates all Medicare Advantage plans in South Dakota based on a 5-star scale. Input for the ratings comes from information that each plan self-reports, as well as individual member complaints. (Read more about Medicare star ratings.)
There are no 5-star plans in South Dakota in 2025. However, there are 4.5-star plans. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in South Dakota come from:
We recommend evaluating the health plans from these South Dakota health insurance companies ahead of all others. Here's why. Simply put, more stars generally mean members will get better results. Members might get better service, phone support, and care from a 5-star than they would from a four-star plan.
CRUCIAL: Benefits are not the same throughout South Dakota. That's why it is essential that you fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
Complete List of South Dakota's Providers
Approximately 7 health insurance providers offer Medicare Advantage plans in South Dakota, including:
- Aetna Medicare
- Align powered by Sanford Health Plan
- HealthPartners
- Humana
- Medica
- UnitedHealthcare
- Wellmark Advantage Health Plan
Top Ranked Plans in South Dakota
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, here are the top-ranked Medicare Advantage Plans available in South Dakota:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota
| Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whether or not you can join a plan from one of the top-rated providers depends on where you live. If your South Dakota County has the plan you want, and you qualify, you can enroll. Medicare Advantage plans are regional. Generally speaking, larger urban areas have more plan options than rural areas.
Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in South Dakota by County
Choose your South Dakota County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.
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Find Your Perfect Fit: How to Pick the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in South Dakota
You may be looking at plans for several different reasons, including turning 65 or the Annual Enrollment Period. Or, perhaps you are navigating a special enrollment event, such as moving to a new area. In all of these cases, there are a few important details you need to consider.
1. Evaluate How You Plan to Use Your Benefits
Do you think you’ll take maximum advantage of your benefits (doctors, hospital inpatient care, tests, etc.)? If so, prioritize plans with lower out-of-pocket maximums and lower copayments, even if they have higher monthly premiums. Otherwise, look for plans with low monthly premiums. Just be aware that plans with low or no monthly premiums tend to have higher out-of-pocket maximums and/or higher deductibles.
2. Examine Your Prescription Medication Expenses
Prescription drugs are often the main reason that seniors pay more for healthcare. Because most South Dakota Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage for prescriptions, it is important to ensure you get the right plan that covers your drugs at a cost you can afford.
3. Understand Your Additional Coverage Requirements
Original Medicare only covers your major medical services, leaving you to pay for dental, vision, hearing, and other healthcare services, or get additional coverage. Fortunately, a growing number of Medicare Advantage plans cover many of the essential services not covered by your Part A and Part B benefits.
4. Think About Your Preferred Healthcare Providers
Medicare Advantage plans have healthcare provider networks. Unfortunately, not all specialists and primary care doctors accept all plans. Many people on Medicare in South Dakota tell us it's difficult to find a plan their doctors take. We can help!
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Next Steps
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.
What are the disadvantages of a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans have several potential disadvantages. For instance, most plans require their members to use their network of providers. Also, costs are also largely based on your use of healthcare services, making it more difficult to budget for healthcare costs. And, most plans make members get referrals to see a specialist or prior authorization to receive a service. Read about all five disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in South Dakota?
A Medicare Advantage plan in South Dakota costs an average of $nan. This is just the monthly premium. You should also consider the out-of-pocket expenses of a plan if you have any chronic conditions, which include a plan's copays and deductibles. Prescription drug benefits are also included in most Medicare Advantage plans, but they have their own out-of-pocket costs.
What is every Medicare Advantage plan required to include?
Approved Medicare Advantage plans sold in South Dakota must, at a minimum, cover everything that's in Original Medicare. But plans do not have to cover healthcare services at the same cost as Original Medicare. For example, Medicare Part A covers about 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing care, home health care, and hospice care. Whereas Part B provides coverage for about 80% of outpatient services, including lab tests and doctor visits. Medicare Advantage plans set their own copays and deductibles, and often charge more than 20%. However, plans have an annual limit and Original Medicare doesn't.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, 2023 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, "CMS Releases 2023 Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings", Last Accessed October 6, 2022
- Medicare.gov, "Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 1, 2022
- KFF.org, "Medicare Advantage in 2023: Enrollment Update and Key Trends", Last Accessed September 5, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "Things to know about Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 12, 2022
- CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed October 13, 2024
- CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed October 10, 2024
For details on how we research, analyze, and construct plan information for South Dakota using CMS data, see our Medicare Plan Research Methodology.
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.