Medicare in Minnesota
Key Takeaways
Medicare in Minnesota is open to all legal U.S. citizens aged 65 and older.
How much you’ll pay for Medicare plans in Minnesota is based on several standard costs, as well as your income, work history and medical needs.
Original Medicare consists of Parts A and B. Part D and Medigap can be added to control costs and provide medications. Medicare Advantage in Minnesota is a private insurance alternative and has Parts A and B that replace Original Medicare.
If you live in Minnesota, you’ve learned some things about living in The North Star State. You warm up your car at odd hours. You love a cold pop and you never, ever call a hot dish “casserole.”
But what about Medicare in Minnesota? If you’re approaching 65, or already enrolled, not knowing the differences between Medicare plans in Minnesota can be like confusing wind chill and temperature. To help you avoid these kinds of mistakes, here’s our guide to Medicare in Minnesota.
How Much Does Medicare Cost in Minnesota?
If you have Medicare in Minnesota, your premium starts with several standard costs. What you’ll actually pay depends on your needs and your policy details. Whether you’re new to Medicare or looking at options, here’s where to start when budgeting for Medicare plans in Minnesota.
Let’s start with the costs commonly associated with Original Medicare in Minnesota:
Medicare in MN: Part A
Premium:
- If either of you worked 10 or more years, you probably don’t have a Part A monthly premium.
- You or your spouse worked between 7.5 and 10 years: $274 a month
- You or your spouse worked fewer than 7.5 years: $499 a month
Deductible:
- $1,556 each plan benefit period
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Hospital stays: $0 copay for Days 1-60 following deductible payment; daily charges for Days 61 and after
- Skilled Nursing Facility: $0 for Days 1-20 (each plan period); daily charges for Days 21 and after
Medicare in MN: Part B
Premium:
- Starts at $170.10 a month (income-based)
Deductible:
- $233
Copayments & coinsurance:
- $0: most preventative services
- 20% coinsurance for Medicare-approved services
Medicare in MN: Part D
Premium:
- Based on plan and income
Deductible:
- Varies but capped at $480 in 2022
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Varies by plan and medication
How Does Medicare Work in Minnesota?
Medicare is health insurance for all legal U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. As we mentioned above, selecting a Medicare plan in Minnesota comes down to choosing between two main options: Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Advantage. Here’s how they compare:
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is made up of two main parts: A and B. They work separately to provide a base level of care.
- Part A: Known as hospital coverage, Part A includes stays at hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care.
- Part B: This portion covers medically necessary services from doctors and providers, as well as preventive services
Being enrolled in only Original Medicare in Minnesota can leave you with high costs while leaving out prescription drug coverage. Instead, you may want to consider Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Part D is a stand-alone plan that provides prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota often include Part D coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, are health insurance policies that provide standardized benefits alongside Original Medicare.
If you choose to add a Medigap plan, it may pay for some or all costs not covered by Part A and Part B, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you cannot add Medigap.
In MN, Medigap plans provide a different set of standard benefits. Medigap in Minnesota offers a Basic Plan and an Extended Basic Plan. Coverage of the Part B deductible will no longer be available to people who are new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. However, if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled, you may be able to get this benefit.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare (Part A & B), but offers the same Part A and B benefits or coverage as Original Medicare. Along with receiving Part A and B benefits, Medicare Part C often bundles additional services like dental, hearing, vision and prescription drug coverage.
How Do I Apply For Medicare in Minnesota?
There are several ways to enroll in Medicare in Minnesota, including:
- Online with the Social Security Administration
- In-person at a Minnesota-based Social Security office
- Over the phone toll-free at 1-800-772-1213
- Did you work for a railroad company? You may need to enroll in Medicare through the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772 for more information.
Is Minnesota Care Medicare?
No, MinnesotaCare is not Medicare. Instead, it’s a state-run health insurance program for low-income residents of Minnesota. MinnesotaCare recipients can’t be enrolled in Parts A and B and must meet the income limits, among other requirements.
What Medigap Plans Are Available in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s Medicare Supplement Insurance structure is different from the other states, giving Minnesotans some unique Medigap choices. If you have Original Medicare in Minnesota, your options start with a pair of basic plans to help cover your out-of-pocket costs. There are also several riders you can add, as well as cost-sharing and high-deductible options to choose from when you’re enrolling in Medicare in Minnesota. Give GoHealth a call to see how Medigap options can work with Medicare in Minnesota.
What is a Medicare Cost Plan in Minnesota?
Medicare Cost Plans were offered to Minnesotans in the past. It was similar to Medicare Advantage but often allowed enrollees to see out-of-network doctors and providers. Minnesota began phasing out Medicare Cost Plans in 2019. To see what Medicare plans in Minnesota you can enroll in as an alternative to Medicare Cost, give GoHealth a call. Our licensed insurance agents will shop Medicare plans in Minnesota to find what works for you.
What Are the Top 5 Medicare Plans?
When people ask this question, they’re generally referring to Medicare Advantage in Minnesota since many different companies offer plans. It’s also important, though, to know how those stack up against an Original Medicare plan with Medigap and Part D.
In other words, the answer here completely depends on your needs and budget. Here are some tools to help sort through your options:
- Enrollment checklist: how to assess your budget, coverage needs and enrollment timing
- Medicare Star Rating System: Providers and plans are graded on a five-star scale in several areas
- Pros and Cons: Weighing Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage in Minnesota? Here’s what to know.
- Pro Tips: Little-known pointers you’ll want to know
- Contact GoHealth: Our licensed insurance agents shop plans, answer questions and offer impartial advice about Medicare plans in Minnesota — no matter which one you’re looking at.
What Are the Top 3 Medicare Advantage Plans?
When it comes to ranking the top options for Medicare Advantage in Minnesota, there are no right answers. A plan that works for a loved one may not work for you. Instead, it’s best to know the different kinds of Medicare Advantage in Minnesota, and how they work. To create your own rankings, here are the four types of Medicare Advantage in Minnesota you can choose from:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
- Special Needs Plans (SNP).
Do Most Doctors Take Medicare Advantage?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can see any doctor. Medicare Advantage enrollees typically need to visit doctors within their plan’s provider network. Visiting out-of-network providers usually means higher copays. It’s important to know which providers you can visit if you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage in Minnesota.
What is the Downside of Medicare Advantage?
A downside for one person may be a selling point for another. Choosing whether to enroll in Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare in Minnesota comes down to your budget, which services you need and where you live, among other details. To help explain, here’s a list of pros and cons to help make your decision.
Medicare in Minnesota by the Numbers
Thousands of older adults enroll in Medicare every day across the United States. The latest CMS data shows that 994,332 people are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B in Minnesota. The total number of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage Increased from 487,965 to 527,851 year over year. Medicare Advantage participation in Minnesota went from 50.35% to 53.09% year over year. If you’d like to dive deeper into how Medicare in Minnesota breaks down across the state, we provide a glance at who is using Medicare and how.
Medicare
Minnesota
994,332 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
527,851 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
53.09% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate
53.67% Female
46.33% Male
90.21% Non-Hispanic White
3.04% African American
1.33% Hispanic
5.42% Other/Unknown
17.18% Eligible for Medicaid
0.97 Average HCC Score
$10,095.39 Actual Per Capita Costs
17.27% Hospital Readmission Rate
27.82% of Beneficiaries with an Emergency Department Visit
487,965 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries, Previous Year
Increased Medicare Advantage, Year over year
50.35% Meducare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
See more +
Table reflects the latest Beneficiary Demographics Data: Medicare Geographic Variation – by National, State & County
Average HCC Score: The Hierarchical Condition Category score gauges a population’s overall health. The score is based on a value of 1.0. Populations with an HCC score of less than 1.0 are considered relatively healthy. The score can be used to estimate health costs.
Minnesota Medicare Resources & Contacts
Beneficiaries spend an average of $10,095.39 each year on Medicare in Minnesota. To be certain you are not leaving anything on the table, let us help. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can assess your coverage or explain which Minnesota-based resources, like these, may be able to help:
Nationwide Resources
Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Medicare guide
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare guide
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
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Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Medicare guide
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Medicare guide
A Caregiver’s Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
