Your health, your choices —
natural first, covered always
Amy Nielsen guides South Dakotans through the full spectrum of health — from natural remedies and self-care to cost sharing, Medicare, and insurance when you need it. Free, independent, and on your side.
Amy Nielsen · Licensed SD Broker · License #4361005 · No broker fee — ever
Your body knows how to heal — give it what it needs
The best health plan is the one you never have to use. Amy believes prevention, nutrition, and natural approaches are the foundation of lasting health — and that insurance is a safety net, not a substitute for wellness.
Nutrition & Whole Food Healing
Food is medicine. South Dakota’s agricultural heritage means access to real, whole foods. Amy shares resources on anti-inflammatory eating, gut health, and how nutrition directly affects your need for medical care.
Natural healing resources →Know Your Numbers
A few simple tests — A1C, cholesterol, vitamin D, thyroid — can catch problems before they become expensive emergencies. Amy guides you on ordering your own labs and understanding what the results mean.
Order your own labs →Movement, Sleep & Stress
The three pillars of health that no insurance plan covers — but that determine how much you use one. Amy’s approach integrates lifestyle guidance with practical coverage decisions so you stay healthy and protected.
Talk to Amy →Natural Remedies & Original Cures
Amy’s Natural Healing page is a curated library of original remedies, herbal approaches, and time-tested cures — a resource unlike anything else on a health insurance broker’s website. Because health comes first.
Alternatives to traditional insurance — often the smarter choice
With only 3 ACA carriers in South Dakota and subsidies reduced for 2026, alternatives deserve serious consideration — especially for healthy individuals, self-employed residents, and those above the subsidy threshold.
Medical Cost Sharing
Members share each other’s medical costs — often 30–50% less than unsubsidized ACA premiums. No network restrictions. See any doctor. Sedera, Liberty HealthShare, Knew Health and more.
- Monthly shares often far below ACA premiums
- No network — see any doctor or specialist
- Faith-based and secular options available
Direct Primary Care (DPC)
A flat monthly membership for unlimited primary care visits, same-day appointments, and direct access to your doctor. No copays, no claims. Pairs perfectly with a cost-sharing plan for complete coverage.
- Unlimited primary care included
- Generics often included or deeply discounted
- Find SD practices at DPC Frontier
Self-Pay Strategies
GoodRx for prescriptions, LabCorp On Demand for labs, Medicare price lookup for negotiating procedures. Many healthy South Dakotans save significantly by combining self-pay tools strategically.
- GoodRx — up to 80% off retail prescriptions
- LabCorp On Demand — no doctor order needed
- Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban) for Rx
Short-Term Health Plans
Fill gaps between jobs, before Medicare, or while waiting for open enrollment. Not ACA-compliant — pre-existing conditions are not covered — but often far less expensive for healthy individuals. Amy explains the limits clearly.
Ask if this fits your situation →Hospital Indemnity & Critical Illness
Cash paid directly to you — not the hospital — on hospitalization or a critical diagnosis. Works alongside any coverage strategy. Affordable premiums, flexible benefit amounts.
Get a supplemental quote →Not Sure Which Path Is Right?
Amy has helped South Dakotans build coverage strategies combining DPC + cost sharing, self-pay tools + supplemental, and everything in between. One free call gets you a real plan.
Medicare — the most important coverage decision you’ll make
Medicare is Amy’s #1 product in South Dakota. The decisions you make at 65 — Advantage vs. Supplement, which Part D plan, when to enroll — have lasting financial consequences. Amy gets it right the first time.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Bundles Parts A, B, and usually D — often adding dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and OTC allowances. Many SD plans have $0 monthly premiums. Amy compares all available Advantage plans in your county.
- Avera, Sanford, UHC AARP, Humana available in SD
- Dental, vision, hearing & OTC on most plans
- SilverSneakers fitness benefit
- Annual maximum out-of-pocket cap
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Covers the 20% Original Medicare doesn’t pay. No network — use any doctor or hospital accepting Medicare, anywhere in the US. Ideal for SD residents who travel, split time between states, or want complete provider freedom.
- Plan G — most popular for new enrollees
- Plan N — lower premium, small copays
- Physicians Mutual, UHC AARP & more in SD
- Guaranteed issue at 65 — no health questions
Part D — Prescription Drug Plans
Amy compares every Part D plan against your specific medication list — formularies vary widely and the wrong plan can cost hundreds more per year. The $2,000 annual OOP cap on drugs is now in effect.
- $2,000 annual out-of-pocket drug cap
- Amy checks your exact medications against every formulary
- SilverScript, Humana, UHC available in SD
- Late penalty if you delay — enroll on time
Dual Eligible SNP (D-SNP)
If you qualify for both Medicare and South Dakota Medicaid, a D-SNP coordinates both programs — often $0 premium, reduced cost-sharing, plus OTC allowances and transportation benefits.
- $0 or very low premium for qualifying members
- OTC allowance, transportation, meal benefits
- Coordinated care management
- Amy checks eligibility at no charge
Turning 65 in South Dakota?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is 7 months — 3 before your birth month, your birth month, and 3 after. Missing it means permanent penalties: 10%/year for Part B, 1%/month for Part D. Still working with employer coverage? You may be able to delay. Call Amy before you turn 65.
Advantage vs. Supplement?
Advantage has lower premiums; Supplement has no networks. The right answer depends on your health, travel habits, and how you use care. Amy compares both for your specific situation.
Annual Enrollment Period
Oct 15 – Dec 7 every year. Switch plans, change carriers, or move between Advantage and Original Medicare. Coverage starts January 1.
Still working at 65?
If you have employer coverage you may be able to delay Medicare without penalty. But the rules are specific — call Amy before your birthday to understand your options.
ACA Insurance — the right choice when it fits
South Dakota has 3 ACA carriers for 2026. For those who qualify for subsidies or have significant health needs, ACA coverage can be excellent value. Amy compares all three honestly.
Avera Health Plans
South Dakota’s home-grown health plan, closely tied to Avera Health. Strong eastern SD provider relationships. Available on HealthCare.gov and direct from Avera.
Avera Health Plans →Sanford Health Plan
Affiliated with Sanford Health — SD’s largest health system with hospitals and clinics statewide including Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Best for Sanford patients.
Compare Sanford →Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Regional BCBS affiliate serving SD and Iowa. Broader out-of-state network via BlueCard — best for SD residents who travel or split time in Iowa or other states.
Compare Wellmark →2026 ACA changes for South Dakota
Enhanced APTCs expired Dec 31, 2025 — after-subsidy premiums rose sharply for those above 400% FPL. South Dakota has not expanded Medicaid — a significant coverage gap remains for low-income adults without children. Subsidy cliff returned — residents above 400% FPL no longer receive premium assistance.
Health Education & Community Presentations
Amy brings health education directly to your community, employer, or organization — in plain language, with no sales pressure. Because understanding your options is the most empowering thing you can do for your health.
Understanding Your Health Plan
What does deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum actually mean? How do you use your plan effectively? Amy makes it simple — for employees, seniors, or anyone navigating a health plan for the first time.
Medicare 101 — Turning 65
A complete walk-through of Medicare enrollment, the alphabet of parts, key decisions at 65, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Perfect for HR teams with employees approaching Medicare age.
Natural Health & Prevention
Amy’s most unique presentation — covering self-care, natural remedies, nutrition, and how to reduce your dependence on the healthcare system through lifestyle choices. A talk unlike any broker’s.
Group Benefits for Employers
Navigating group health insurance for your team — ACA compliance, cost-sharing alternatives, ICHRA options, and how to offer meaningful benefits without breaking the budget.
Navigating a Major Health Need
When a serious diagnosis hits, the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Amy walks through how to navigate coverage, prior authorizations, appeals, and cost strategies during a major health event.
Book Amy for Your Group
Available for employer groups, community organizations, senior centers, churches, libraries, and HR teams across South Dakota — in person or virtual.
How Amy is compensated: As an independent broker, Amy is paid by the insurance carriers she is appointed with — not by you. Consultation, plan comparison, and enrollment assistance are completely free. Please contact HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 for information on all available options.
Your health. Your choices. Amy’s got you covered.
Natural health to Medicare to insurance — Amy is your guide through all of it. Free, independent, and always on your side.
Amy Nielsen · Licensed South Dakota Broker · License #4361005 · No broker fee — ever