Medicare Part D: The Medicare prescription drug benefit program. We call this program “Part D” for short. Medicare Part D covers outpatient prescription drugs, vaccines, and some supplies not covered by Medicare Part A or Medicare Part B or Medical Assistance. Our plan includes Medicare Part D.Medicare Part A: The Medicare program that covers most medically necessary hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health, and hospice care.
Medicare Part B: The Medicare program that covers services (such as lab tests, surgeries, and doctor visits) and supplies (such as wheelchairs and walkers) that are medically necessary to treat a disease or condition. Medicare Part B also covers many preventive and screening services.Medical Assistance: This is the name of Minnesota’s Medicaid program. Medical Assistance is run by the state and is paid for by the state and the federal government. It helps people with limited incomes and resources pay for long-term services and supports and medical costs.
It covers extra services and some drugs not covered by Medicare. Medicaid programs vary from state to state, but most health care costs are covered if you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid.

Beyond Healthcare: Dana Syverson’s Mission to Make a Difference in Goodhue County

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In Minnesota, the word "community" embodies the essence of why someone would devote their life to public service. It’s more than just a job—it’s a calling, and few exemplify this better than Dana Syverson, a veteran public health worker and Community Care Connector in Goodhue County. For 18 years, Dana has been a beacon of hope, guiding residents through some of the toughest times of their lives, helping them reclaim a sense of normalcy again.

“I believe I make a difference because many of our members are overwhelmed by their circumstances,” Dana explains. “They don’t have the time or energy to navigate the complexities of the health system, health insurance, or even how to use their benefits.”

As a South Country Community Care Connector, Dana is a lifeline for those in need. She’s a county employee embedded in the fabric of her community, working closely with health plan members of South Country Health Alliance, a county-owned health plan serving Goodhue and seven other rural Minnesota counties: Brown, Dodge, Kanabec, Sibley, Steele, Waseca, and Wabasha. South Country provides local coverage to those eligible for Minnesota Medical Assistance, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income families.

Dana’s role is more than just connecting people with healthcare—it’s about advocating for those who often feel helpless. She encounters members grappling with homelessness, financial instability, job loss, and food insecurity. “As the connector, I provide support and resources tailored to their needs,” Dana shares. “My greatest satisfaction comes from knowing I’ve helped someone find a way through when they didn’t know where to start.”

Building trust is crucial in her line of work, and Dana approaches each interaction with empathy and an open heart. “I build trust by being understanding, genuine, and non-judgmental,” she says. “I’m here to listen, to answer questions, and to connect them with the resources they need.”

One particular story stands out for Dana. She recalls a member who had just been discharged from the hospital. “When I called him, he told me he had no food in his apartment and wasn’t well enough to go shopping,” she remembers. Though he was initially hesitant to accept help due to a lack of trust, Dana’s persistence and compassion won him over. She went to his apartment, took his EBT card, shopped for his essentials, and brought them back. “He was so appreciative and grateful,” Dana says. That small act of kindness forged a bond of trust between them, and from that day forward, he welcomed her visits.

Before he passed away last year, he made sure to let Dana know how much her kindness had meant to him. “He told me I was a kind and caring person, and how grateful he was that I was there for him,” Dana recalls.

Dana’s dedication to her community hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last fall, she was honored with the South Country Diamond Award, a recognition of her outstanding service to members and her embodiment of the company’s core values of collaboration, stewardship, communication, and excellence.

Dana Syverson’s story is a powerful reminder that community isn’t just a word—it’s the foundation of her work, and the impact she makes on the lives of others is immeasurable.

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