BUSINESS PROFILE: Princeton Agencies
Princeton Agencies will help seniors navigate all the changes to Medicare plans for the upcoming year
It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing the effects of the Covid pandemic, and how it forever impacted the quality of customer service across all areas of business. Such hassles include waiting in line or on hold for ages; no one returning your call or seeming interested in helping you; the person on the other end of the phone doesn’t seem to know what they are talking about. With all of the changes that come each year to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, one thing that has not changed is the personalized service experience available at Princeton Agencies.
“At Princeton Agencies, we still take the time to sit down with our clients to review their Medicare Advantage and Prescription drug options face to face,” said Mike McCoy, Certified Medicare Agent at Princeton Agencies. “And, our experienced agents work with all of the MA and MAPD plans available in our area, so you don’t have to wonder if you’ve covered all of your bases.”
McCoy said the most commonly asked questions that they are getting right now revolve around changes that are coming for the 2024 Medicare plans, and how will people be notified of those changes.
“Sometime in September, all people currently enrolled in an MA, PDP, or MAPD Advantage plan will receive an ANOC (Annual Notice of Change) letter from their provider,” said McCoy. “Your ANOC letter provides information you need to help decide whether to stay on your existing plan or change to a new plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, which starts on Oct. 15, and ends on Dec. 7 every year.”
Some of the information included on this year’s ANOC letter highlights changes to current plans when they renew on Jan. 1, 2024. They include:
• New monthly premiums
• Benefits
• Cost of medical services
• Prescription drug costs
• Changes in maximum out of pocket amounts
McCoy added that if a plan is cancelled, enrollment in a new plan for 2024 is required during the Annual Enrollment period.
“As of the date of this article, we have not heard of any plans pulling out of Minnesota counties, which has happened in prior years,” said McCoy. “This is great news for Minnesota seniors!”
But not all the news is great.
“There are plans that are discontinuing their network relationships with providers in Minnesota,” said McCoy. “This is bad news because people who are using those providers will now have to change plans to still have in-network coverage.”
Health Partners Hospitals and Clinics are not renewing Humana’s MA/MAPD Contract for 2024. Anyone with a Humana MA/MAPD who uses HealthPartners hospitals and clinics will need to select a new carrier if they want to continue to be seen by their Health Partners doctor, he said.
“This is similar to changes made in past years when both Fairview Health Systems and Centra Care Health systems did not renew Humana’s MA/MAPD contract,” said McCoy.
Another change that will affect many thousands of seniors across Minnesota -- the last MSA provider in Minnesota, Lasso, is ceasing operations in the state for 2024.
“You may have heard of an HSA (Health Savings Account),” said McCoy. “There was a similar product in Minnesota for seniors called an MSA. Any seniors enrolled in a Lasso MSA plan will have to choose a different plan for 2024 or else their benefits will revert back to only original Medicare.”
Seniors currently with these plans will need to look for alternative options for 2024. McCoy encourages those seniors to receive assistance at Princeton Agencies.
Princeton Agencies has a history that dates back more than 120 years.
“Our more than 40 employees remain devoted to offering local reputable service to the communities we live in and serve,” said McCoy.
Princeton Agencies was recently awarded Diamond Partner status with the Main Street America Insurance Group. This prestigious designation is one that Princeton Agencies shares with only 10 other Insurance agencies nationwide.
Princeton Agencies recently also received the Town and Country Readers’ Choice award for Best Insurance Agency in the area. Thousands of voters across East Central Minnesota took part in the survey for that award.
Blue Cross of MN has also designated Princeton Agencies with its Blue Partner Status, which is only reserved for the top 20 percent of agencies writing Blue Cross products in the state.
Princeton Agencies has locations in Princeton (763-389-3650), Milaca (320-983-3913), Onamia (320-532-4645), Cambridge (763-444-4544), and Foley (320-968-6973) and all offer in-person or phone consultations.
For more information or to set up an appointment, you can also visit princetonins.com or email medicareinfo@princetonins.com.
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