Eligible Counties and Enrollment
You’re eligible to enroll in Align powered by Sanford Health Plan if you meet these two qualifications:
- You have Medicare Parts A and B
- You live in our service area
Enrollment in Align powered by Sanford Health Plan is available to residents in the following counties in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Iowa Counties
Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola and Sioux.
Minnesota Counties
Becker, Beltrami, Big Stone, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lac qui Parle, Mahnomen, Marshall, Nobles, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pipestone, Polk, Red Lake, Rock, Traverse and Wilkin.
North Dakota Counties
Barnes, Burleigh*, Cass*, Grand Forks, Griggs, McLean, Mercer, Morton*, Nelson, Oliver, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Steele, Stutsman, Traill and Walsh.
*ND counties also offering our Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP).
South Dakota Counties
Brookings, Clark, Clay, Day, Deuel, Douglas, Hanson, Hutchinson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Roberts, Sanborn and Turner.
Explore Your Benefits
With a Medicare Advantage plan, you get an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. You’ll get complete Parts A and B coverage, plus extras. Take a look at the additional benefits you can get at no cost to help your budget go further.
Enrollment Periods Explained
When it comes to Medicare benefits, it’s important to know when to apply. Enrollment is limited to certain times of the year and conditions, including your age.
Should You Work with an Agent?
An agent can help every step of the way when you’re choosing a Medicare plan. Explore the benefits of working with an agent and get tips from the experts to keep in mind when choosing a plan.
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) Simplified
If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for a D-SNP health insurance plan, which offers additional benefits at no extra cost.
Medicare Advantage Basics
What are some Medicare basics?
What is Original Medicare?
Medicare is the government-run insurance program for those 65 and older or certain people with disabilities or end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure).
Medicare has four different parts, which can be mixed and matched through different plans to give you the coverage that’s right for you. They include:
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
- Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
- Medicare Part D
What is Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A, also called hospital insurance, covers:
- Inpatient hospital stays
- Skilled nursing facility stays
- Hospice care
- Nursing home care
- Home health care
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is also known as medical insurance. It covers certain services from doctors, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive care. These services fall under Medicare Part B:
- Physician services
- Ancillaries (lab work, X-rays, etc.)
- Therapy (PT, OT, SLP)
- Clinical research
- Ambulances
- Durable medical equipment
- Mental health care
- Limited prescription drugs
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage Plans, or Part C plans, are plans offered by private companies like Sanford Health Plan. These plans administer your Original Medicare.
Many plans include prescription drug coverage to combine Medicare Part A, Part B and Part D into one easy package.
What is Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. You can buy Part D from insurance companies to go with your Original Medicare coverage or your Medicare Supplement coverage. You could also choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D prescription drug coverage.
Am I eligible for Medicare?
You’re eligible for Original Medicare, Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B if you fit one of these criteria:
- Are age 65 or older
- Are disabled
- Have end-stage renal disease
Am I eligible for Medicare Advantage?
To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must:
- Have Medicare Parts A and B - Continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium if it’s not paid for under Medicare or by a third party
- Live in the plan’s service area
When is your next seminar?
Sanford Health Plan offers free educational Medicare seminars throughout the year. We’ll walk you through the benefits of Original Medicare and our Medicare Advantage plan options.
Sanford Health Plan and Sanford Health Plan of Minnesota have HMO and PPO plans with a Medicare contract. Sanford Health Plan D-SNPs have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Sanford Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, or any other classification protected under the law. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next.
CMS ID Number: H8385_SHPMAWebsite_PY2025_ND_SD_IA, H3186_SHPMAWebsite_PY2025_MN H8967_DSNPWebsite_PY2025_ND
Last Updated On: 10.1.22 at 10:00 AM