If you live in South Dakota, the following health insurance contact information may be helpful to you:
South Dakota Division of Insurance
The South Dakota Department of Insurance is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of South Dakota -- including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Division of Insurance has a list of insurance companies licensed to sell individual policies in South Dakota.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Division. Download a complaint form and submit it to the Division of Insurance when you are ready.
South Dakota Division of Insurance
445 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3563
Fax: 605-773-5369
Email: insurance@state.sd.us
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees -- for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage -- for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan -- contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64108
Steve Eischen - Director
Phone: 816-285-1800
Fax: 816-285-1888
Buying Individual Policies in South Dakota
As a general rule, insurers in South Dakota are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy an individual policy from a private insurer. You can also buy insurance through the South Dakota Risk Pool(described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the South Dakota Division of Insurance can help you find out.
South Dakota Risk Pool (SDRP)
The South Dakota Risk Pool offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals, as described above.
South Dakota Risk Pool
Capitol Building
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: 605-773-3148
Fax: 605-773-6840
South Dakota's Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The Children's Health Insurance Program provides health insurance coverage for children whose family income meets certain guidelines.
Children's Health Insurance Program
South Dakota Department of Social Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3165
South Dakota Senior Health Insurance and Insurance Education (SHIINE)
SHIINE provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
SHIINE
Center for Active Generations
2300 W 46th St
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 800-536-8197 Email: shiine@cfag.org
South Dakota Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals.
South Dakota Medicaid
Division of Medical Services
700 Governors Drive
Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-773-3165