Minnesota Medicare company may drop over 300,000 plans this fall
Most Minnesota counties will be affected this year
By Jim Palmer
Last year, after one big insurance company exited the Medicare market, more than 160,000 people in Minnesota lost their coverage. In addition, the companies that remained offered fewer benefits than the year before. This fall, the report is likely similar... but the impact may be larger.
“This year, the number of people who may lose their coverage could be over 300,000,” said Dennis Breitenfeldt, founder of Breitenfeldt Group. “And people in nearly every county across Minnesota may be affected.”
Breitenfeldt said people will get official notice about their coverage status from their current insurance company around Oct. 1. Those people who lose their coverage may need to re-enroll in a new plan within the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 for Jan. 1 coverage.
Last year, the dropped coverages created a flood of people looking for Medicare help in Minnesota.
“We heard some horror stories from the insurance companies that some people had a hard time finding someone to help them, and had to wait on hold as long as four hours to be helped,” said Breitenfeldt.
That kind of wait would not happen at Breitenfeldt Group, he said, because of their commitment to helping Medicare clients and making the process as easy as possible. To ensure that Breitenfeldt Group will be able to take care of their current clients, those who have recently lost coverage, and those new to Medicare this year, they have dramatically increased their capacity this year.
“We are more than tripling our workforce over the next few months to make sure we can serve our current clients as well as help new clients enroll,” said Breitenfeldt.
Breitenfeldt Group has worked hard over the years to make the enrollment process quick and pain free. In the early days of Medicare enrollments, the process took more than an hour and required in person signatures. That is no longer necessary, said Breitenfeldt.
“We have simplified the enrollment even down to only needing a voice signature in certain settings,” he said. “We go through the plan by reading a script, they agree to the plan, we read the plan details, and then a voice signature is recorded. Our technology has evolved to the point where our enrollment process is quite streamlined. This will be expecially helpful in a year like this.”
The good news for those needing to re-enroll. First, there are options and everyone has the ability to explore and change plans during the AEP.
“That’s why this review period is so important, especially when plans are being discontinued or have significantly changed,” he said.
And second, changing to another plan shouldn’t be a difficult process.
“People will have the ability to choose a new plan without health questions or being asked about pre-existing conditions,” said Breitenfeldt.
Those who get a notice in the mail that their current plan will remain for 2027 should be sure to review the plans, because the benefits are likely to change.
“The existing plans will be changing,” said Breitenfeldt, “and that includes benefits in the plans that will be cut or reduced.”
Breitenfeldt Group has been helping people navigate their way through the changes and complexities of Medicare for more than 30 years. They are an independent health insurance brokerage, which means they are not tied to any particular plan or insurance company.
“That was one of the first big lessons I learned in selling insurance before I founded Breitenfeldt Group,” said Breitenfeldt. “You can’t serve everyone properly if you are captive to one company. One size does not fit all. Our licensed agents are non-commissioned, so they can truly focus on your goals. If we change you to a new plan in the fall, it is for your benefit, not ours. ”
Sorting through all the changes and helping clients find a Medicare plan that is suitable for them is what Breitenfeldt Group has been built on. But that is just part of what they do.
“Beyond helping you find a plan, we’re here to provide comfort, confidence, and certainty to all our clients... all year long,” said Breitenfeldt. “We do that by offering two promises. I have kept these promises to all my clients since Breitenfeldt Group started, and these promises remain today. First, if it’s ever necessary to call an insurance company, we will make the call for you or with you.”
Breitenfeldt encourages his clients to make their first call to Breitenfeldt Group, even if it’s as simple as ordering a new insurance card or asking about a bill.
“We know calling insurance companies can be a painful process,” he said.
The second promise by Breitenfeldt Group – your coverage will be reviewed every fall so changes can be made during the AEP.
“Your medical condition can change, your prescriptions can change, and the health insurance companies have the ability to make changes every year as well. Your plan should be reviewed every fall by an independent source,” he said.
These promises have served Breitenfeldt Group well over the years, and resulted in satisfied clients. Breitenfeldt said they currently have more than 400 5-star Google reviews. He added that about 80 percent of their clients are a result of a referral, and they have a 98 percent client retention rate.
“I believe this is a true testament to our team and the one-to-one service we provide to our clients every day,” he said. “We pride ourselves in treating every client specific to their concerns and at their pace. We work hard to treat every client individually because everyone has different needs.”
Breitenfeldt Group has Minnesota offices in Alexandria, Long Prairie, Waite Park, Baxter, Duluth, Maple Grove, Edina, Woodbury, and Roseville, with a team of licensed agents covering all of Minnesota. They also have an office in Appleton, WI., and can assist all Wisconsin residents. Breitenfeldt Group is licensed in other states so they can assist those who move to warmer climates but still want their insurance taken care of by Breitenfeldt Group.
All office locations work together and are connected through state-of-the-art technology, meaning there is never confusion when a call comes in or a person stops by one of the offices.
“It doesn’t matter who answers the phone, we know who you are and what is going on,” he said. “There is no starting over with each call. You are never a stranger.”
Having a knowledgeable team at Breitenfeldt Group navigate you through the Medicare process is offered to all their clients at no charge.
“We will never send you a bill,” said Breitenfeldt. “Medicare plans are the same price and same coverage no matter where you get them, whether using an agent or buying directly from the insurance company. That means you won’t find a lower premium by shopping on your own.”
Those who are going onto Medicare for the first time or are already on Medicare and need help comparing plans or need to re-enroll, contact Breitenfeldt Group toll free at 1-877-732-9800 or by email at info@BGhealthplans.com to connect with a Licensed Agent.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
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