Minnesota Medicare Plans
If you’re retired, you’ll have a lot of places to explore in Minnesota. There’s Swan Park and even the Spam Museum. See the ships at the Lake Superior Maritime Center or hike on one of the numerous trails that dot the state. There are sculpture parks and more to keep you going in your golden years.
Minnesota is not only unique in it’s state specific attractions, but also in it’s state specific Medicare Supplement plan options! Minnesota actually has specific state laws that do overrule the federal mandates for Medigap plans. You’ll find that many of these are unique when compared to other states. You discover two kinds of plans in the state. These are the Basic and Extended Basic plans.
What are Medicare Options in Minnesota?
The Medicare Supplement plans offered in Minnesota are different than those in all the 49 other states. Rather than a list of alphabetical plans to choose from, Minnesota has adopted a smaller number of plans that include state-mandated specific benefits. The two MediGap plan choices you will see offered in Minnesota are the Basic Plan, and the Extended Basic Plan.
Minnesota also offers state-specific options for Plans K, L, M, and N available. There is additionally a high-deductible plan offered in Minnesota, which carries an annual deductible of $2,370 in 2021.
What are the Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans in Minnesota?
Minnesota Basic Medicare Supplement Plan
The Basic Plan in Minnesota covers all the basic benefits of the plans offered. These benefits include the Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurances, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and the first 3 pints of blood.
The Basic Plan also has additional riders than can be added to the plan to increase coverage. The riders available for the Basic Plan include Part A deductible, Part B deductible (if eligible for Medicare prior to 2020), usual and customary feeds, and non-Medicare preventive care.
Minnesota Extended Basic Medicare Supplement Plan
The Extended Basic Medicare Supplement Plan in Minnesota includes all the benefits in the Basic Medicare Supplement plan, as well as some more extensive coverage without the addition of riders. The Extended Basic plan also includes the Part A and Part B (if Medicare eligible before 2020) deductibles.
This plan also includes 80% coverage of usual and customary fees, as well as coverage while in a foreign country. This benefit increases to 100% once the beneficiary has spent $1,000 out-of-pocket for the year.
Minnesota Excess Charges
Minnesota is one of eight states that does not allow what is known as a Medicare Part B excess charge. Excess charges can be seen when doctors or healthcare providers do not accept Medicare Assignment, meaning they do not accept Medicare’s payment as payment in full, and you are responsible for additional costs up to 15%. Luckily, in Minnesota, excess charges are prohibited and not allowable by providers.
When is the Open Enrollment Period in Minnesota?
As a Medicare beneficiary, you can enroll in any Medicare Supplement within your first six months of your Medicare Part B effective date, set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, also known as CMS. This is considered your open enrollment period.
During this time, insurance carriers are required to approve your MediGap application, and are prohibited from declining the coverage you need because you have a pre-existing condition. You can still apply outside of this window, but you will be required to go through medical underwriting, and could be denied coverage based on your health history.
Can I Change Medicare Supplement Plans in Minnesota?
You can apply to change your Medicare Supplement during any month of the year in Minnesota, however there is one catch. Once you are more than 6 months past your Medicare Part B effective date, you must go through medical underwriting in order to be 
approved to enroll into, or change your Medicare Supplement plan. This means that insurance carriers are given the ability to assess your health history, prescriptions, height and weight, as well as other health-related factors to determine if you will be approved or denied coverage. During medical underwriting, insurance carriers have the ability to deny a Medicare Supplement plan application based on pre-existing conditions, so it is important to enroll in a MediGap plan during your open-enrollment period to guarantee your acceptance.
What is the Cost of a Medicare Supplement Plan in Minnesota?
Monthly premiums for Medicare Supplement plans are based on three main factors- age, gender, and location. There are other things that may impact your premium such as tobacco use. The premium amounts will vary based on these factors, so it is important to receive a quote based on your specific demographic information.
Medicare Plans in Minnesota for Those Under 65
When it comes to Medicare in Minnesota, insurance carriers must offer at least one Medicare Supplement plan to Medicare beneficiaries under 65. You must enroll into this plan within 6-month of your Medicare Part B effective date, or you will be required to undergo medical underwriting. 
If you’re under 65 and disabled but still qualify for Medicare, you may not pass this underwriting. If you fit within this category, there are Medicare Advantage Policies that you can look into.
Once you reach 65, more Medicare supplement plans will open up for enrollment in Minnesota without any health questions. This period guarantees acceptance.
Medicare Advantage in Minnesota
Minnesota also offers options for Medicare Advantage plans. In these plans you must live in your plan’s service area and enroll during an appropriate election period. Medicare Advantage plans do not required medical underwriting if enrolling during an election period, but are also significantly different plans than Medicare Supplement plans.
Medicare and Medicaid in Minnesota
It is possible to qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid in the state of Minnesota. These two programs, however, are separate and have different qualifications you must meet in order to receive benefits. To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet Alabama’s state income requirements. To qualify for Medicare, you must be either over the age of 65, or under 65 but receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for a minimum of 24 months before applying for Medicare.
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