Episode Details

Health insurance is about to get more expensive for a lot of people — in Minnesota and across the country. 

Many older Minnesotans are scrambling to find new insurance plans after some insurers stopped offering or scaled back Medicare Advantage plans.

People who buy their own insurance will see premiums jump next year as much as 26 percent on the individual market. Workers who get insurance through their employers are also looking at higher premiums.

And the federal tax and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump this summer is expected to push as many as 140,000 low-income Minnesotans off Medicaid.  

MPR News guest host Catharine Richert looks at how the rising costs of medical care along with changes in state and federal policies are reshaping health care in Minnesota.

If you’re looking for more information, here are some resources that were mentioned during the show

• Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE
• Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly known as the Senior LinkAge line) at 800-333-2433

Guests:

• Sayeh Nikpay is a health economist and an associate professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health. 
• Kelli Jo Greiner is a health care policy analyst for the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. 

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.