Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan receives conditional approval to sell Medicare supplement insurance in NE Iowa

Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan has received conditional approval to be able to sell Medicare supplemental insurance in Winneshiek County and four other Northeast Iowa counties.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has tentatively approved allowing Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan to offer its Senior Preferred Medicare Advantage Plans to Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

The insurance has been offered in Wisconsin since 1999 by Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan.  Gundersen will begin enrolling Senior Preferred members in Iowa later this year, with coverage beginning January 1st.

Senior Preferred has seen steady growth in enrollment.  10,500 people were members in 2008--12,500 are members now.

"For things not covered by Medicare, many people purchase supplemental insurance," notes Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan Director of Sales and Marketing Greg Skemp.  "Senior Preferred gives people in Iowa who are on Medicare another option. It provides comprehensive coverage and a variety of pricing options to meet the needs of Medicare beneficiaries."