Effective with the enrollment in May 2010 for coverage that will be effective 7/1/10 and later, we are making some new benefit options available in the M-Pel plan. A new, higher daily benefit of $200 per day is being offered for the first time. This is being added because inflation has pushed the average cost of nursing care in the State of Minnesota above the $150 level that has been offered. In addition we are adding a third lifetime maximum option to the plan. A lifetime maximum that is equal to a minimum of 2 years is being added to give a shorter duration plan to those who may want it.

If you were enrolled in the M-Pel plan prior to June of 2006, there were some changes made at that time you may want to be aware of. The $80 and $120 per day benefit amounts that had been available were discontinued. New enrollees entering the plan after June 1, 2006 are being offered a choice of either $100 or $150 per day. This change was made primarily because inflation has pushed the average cost of care in the State of Minnesota above the $120 daily maximum that had been available up to that point.  Additionally, the Facilities Only plan and the 5000x Lifetime maximum option were discontinued.

Please be aware that these additions and changes do not have any affect on the coverage you may already have. Even if you have coverage in one of the choices that is no longer available for new enrollment, your existing coverage will remain intact with no change what-so-ever. The change only affects those who are enrolling or applying for the plan for the first time after June 1, 2006. The Summary (PDF, 65kb) will show you the specific features that have been updated for new enrollment.