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.

Digital Literacy and Healthcare

Digital health literacy means being able to use technology to find and understand health information. If you have the right skills, knowledge, and tools to access your health information online, you have strong digital health literacy. This skill is becoming more important as healthcare providers now offer telehealth services and online portals for patients to see their health information.

A woman talking to a doctor on a tablet

To improve your digital skills, check with your local adult education program. They may offer classes on basic computer and internet skills.
Want to use telehealth? If you’re interested in online healthcare, contact your doctor’s office to ask if they offer telehealth services.

Doctor On Demand is a new telehealth provider in the South Country network. Their online doctors are available 24/7 to treat urgent care needs. They can handle most common ER issues, like pink eye, UTIs, coughs, and colds. Prescriptions can be sent to a local pharmacy. You can connect anytime, anywhere using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Connect to Doctor On Demand! Please note: Because the service will need information about you and your health status, you will need to create an account to access Doctor On Demand services.

Need Help with technology?

If using technology is hard for you, don’t worry—there are free resources to help! Northstar Digital Literacy is a Minnesota initiative with learning tools to teach basic computer and internet skills. Visit a Northstar location to start learning today.

Learn more about Northstar.

Here are the Northstar locations in southern Minnesota:

  • Adult Learning Center, Owatonna Community Education 
    122 East McKinley Street, Owatonna, MN Phone: 507-444-7925
  • Faribault Adult Education, 340 9th Ave SW, Faribault, MN Phone: 507-333-6472
  • Dakota Prairie Adult Basic Education (ABE), 700 Lincoln Pkwy Northfield, MN Phone: 507-664-3764
  • Lakeville Adult Basic Education, 17685 Juniper Path Lakeville, MN Phone: 952-232-2162
  • Albert Lea Adult Basic Education, 211 West Richway Drive Albert Lea, MN Phone: 507-379-4866
  • Austin Adult Learning, 1900 8th Avenue NW Austin, MN Phone: 507-460-1707
  • Mankato Computer Skills Training Program, Lincoln Community Center, Mankato, MN Phone: 507-345-5222
  • Le Sueur Adult Basic Education, 706 Turril St, Le Sueur, MN Phone: 507-665-4626
  • Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Adult Basic Education, 14420 Glenda Dr, Apple Valley, MN Phone: 952-431-8316

Last Updated on 01/24/2025 by Chris Gartner

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