Find the programs and services that can help your family member continue to plan for their best life as they age.
Start by reviewing the programs and services offered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to help seniors, including options for housing support and long-term care. Then read about Medicare and managed care (Special Needs BasicCare) and what changes at age 65.
If you're enrolled in Medicare Part B because of a disability and you're paying a premium penalty, the penalty ends when you turn 65.
At age 65, you qualify for a new Medicare Part D and Part C initial enrollment period. This means that you can make a change to your Medicare Part D or Part C plan. The initial enrollment period begins 3 months before you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after you turn 65.
If you're enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan and you're paying a late enrollment premium penalty, the penalty ends when the next enrollment period after you turn 65 begins.
If you have questions about your options or need help comparing plans, contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. You can also visit the Medicare website or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you're enrolled in a Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) plan, you'll need to change to a senior managed care plan when you turn 65. Your options are Minnesota Senior Care Plus and Minnesota Senior Health Options.
Minnesota Senior Care Plus is a managed care program that covers health care and elderly waiver services for people who are age 65 or older and have Medical Assistance (with or without Medicare). If you have Medicare, you'll need to enroll in a separate plan for your Medicare Part D drug coverage.
Minnesota Senior Health Options is a voluntary managed care program that combines the benefits of Minnesota Senior Care Plus and Medicare into a single program. Minnesota Senior Health Options covers health care and elderly waiver services for people who are age 65 or older and have Medical Assistance plus Medicare Parts A and B.
You'll receive a notice describing your options 60 days before you turn 65. The mailing will include your new health plan options with Minnesota Senior Care Plus and Minnesota Senior Health Options plus a managed care guide to health plan enrollment for seniors (PDF).
If you don't choose a plan, you'll be automatically enrolled in a Minnesota Senior Care Plus plan chosen by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
If you have questions about the options, contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 or a Minnesota Health Care Programs managed care county advocate (PDF).
