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Dakota Midday: Health Insurance Clash

Kealey Bultena
/
SDPB
Main campuses for Avera Health (above) and Sanford Health are blocks away from one another in Sioux Falls.

Thousands of South Dakotans must change doctors and clinics if they want their health insurance to cover the care. Starting January 1, 2017, Sanford Health no longer accepts Avera insurance including DakotaCare, and Avera Health in South Dakota isn't taking Sanford Health Plan insurance. That leaves some people who can't afford to pay out of pocket with little choice, and it requires others to leave trusted medical providers to find new services that work with their insurance. Hear from Avera's VP of Insurance Services Rob Bates, Avera's Chief Medical Officer Tad Jacobs, and Sanford Health Plan's Executive VP Kirk Zimmer in this conversation between host Lori Walsh and SDPB's Kealey Bultena.

Read and listen to the latest news story on the insurance changes at this link. If you are a patient affected by these switches, contact us via email or social media.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).
Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.
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