November 18, 2025

 

Re: Quartz Medicare Advantage

 

Dear Rushford and Peterson Community Members,

I am writing today to make community members aware of some changes that are being made by the Quartz Medicare Advantage plan. Winona County residents are no longer eligible for coverage after January 1, 2026. Fillmore County residents are still eligible for the plan in 2026, but Winona Health Hospital and Clinics, will no longer be considered in-network. Quartz Advantage subscribers will not be able to utilize Winona Health, the Rushford Clinic or any of their providers.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Services utilizes Dr. Nicholas Modjeski (Winona Health) as our Medical Director and our rounding providers come from Winona Health. These services will no longer be covered by Quartz Medicare Advantage. All Winona Health provided services like in-house provider visits and laboratory services obtained at Good Shepherd will no longer be covered.

Medicare open enrollment is open through December 7th. With the number of changes happening with Medicare, I would encourage you to look at your plan to ensure you are getting the coverage that you want and expect.

For those community members that wish to speak to someone about your options or determine whether this change affects you, please call Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly known as the Senior Linkage line). Minnesota Aging Pathways is a free resource that helps older Minnesotans and their caregivers connect with services, support and guidance, especially around Medicare and aging-related needs. The service is available Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm via phone (800-333-2433). You can live chat with a representative by using visiting https://mn.gov/aging-pathways/. This website also has several Medicare resources available.

Good Shepherd is not able to direct you in choosing an insurance, but we can let you know if your current coverage is accepted at Good Shepherd.

Good Shepherd was not given any options or input into the changes that are being made to Quartz Advantage. This will impact residents who currently reside at Good Shepherd and those who wish to utilize our services in the future. We felt it was important to alert our community members of this upcoming change.

We strongly encourage anyone who utilizes a Medicare Advantage plan to take a moment to check your plan and make any changes as you see fit.

 

Sincerely,

 

Samantha Colbenson

Campus Administrator