Minnesota's Unique Medicare Supplement System
If you're new to Medicare in Minnesota, you might be confused when you hear about Plan G or Plan N. That's because Minnesota does NOT use the standard federal Medigap plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) that are used in most other states.
Instead, Minnesota has its own unique system: a required Basic Plan that all insurers must offer, plus optional riders you can add for additional coverage. This system dates back to when Minnesota standardized Medigap plans BEFORE the federal government did, and the state was allowed to keep its own approach.
Important: Minnesota Uses a DIFFERENT System
Minnesota uses a DIFFERENT Medigap system than most states. Instead of Plans A through N, Minnesota offers a Basic plan plus optional riders that let you customize your coverage. This can result in lower premiums if you only add the riders you need. Don't be confused if you hear about Plan G or Plan N from friends in other states - those don't exist in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Basic Plan (Required)
All Medicare Supplement insurance companies in Minnesota must offer the Basic Plan. This provides core coverage including:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits end
- Part B coinsurance (the 20% you'd normally pay)
- First 3 pints of blood each year
The Basic Plan typically costs between $80-$150 per month, depending on your age, location, and the insurance company. All insurance companies must provide the same Basic Plan benefits, so the only differences are price and customer service.
Optional Riders You Can Add
Here's where Minnesota's system becomes customizable. You can add any or all of these riders to your Basic Plan to build the coverage you need:
| Rider | What It Covers | Monthly Premium* |
|---|---|---|
| Part A Deductible Rider | Covers hospital deductible (currently $1,632) | $20 - $40 |
| Part B Deductible Rider | Covers annual Part B deductible (currently $240) | $15 - $30 |
| Part B Excess Charges Rider | Covers charges above Medicare-approved amounts | $10 - $20 |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Rider | SNF coinsurance for days 21-100 | $15 - $25 |
| Foreign Travel Rider | Emergency care outside the U.S. | $5 - $15 |
*Premium ranges are estimates and vary by age, location, and insurer. Rider costs are IN ADDITION to the Basic Plan premium.
Building Coverage Equivalent to Federal Plans
If you've heard about Plan G or Plan N from friends in other states, here's how you can build similar coverage in Minnesota:
| Similar to Federal Plan | Minnesota Combination |
|---|---|
| Similar to Plan G | Basic + Part A Deductible + SNF + Foreign Travel |
| Similar to Plan N | Basic + Part A Deductible + SNF |
| Lower coverage option | Basic Plan only |
Extended Basic Plan Option
Some insurance companies in Minnesota offer an Extended Basic Plan, which bundles commonly chosen riders together. This can simplify your decision-making and sometimes offers a slight discount compared to adding each rider individually. Ask insurers if they offer this option when you're shopping for coverage.
Minnesota Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Like all states, Minnesota provides a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this critical window:
- Insurance companies cannot deny you coverage for any reason
- They cannot charge you more due to health conditions
- You have guaranteed issue rights to the Basic Plan and all optional riders
Minnesota-Specific Medicare Considerations
Mayo Clinic and Medical Tourism
Minnesota is home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, which attracts patients from across the country and around the world. If you're coming to Minnesota specifically for care at Mayo Clinic or other specialized facilities, a Medigap plan provides significant advantages over Medicare Advantage:
- No network restrictions - Any doctor accepting Medicare will accept your Medigap
- No referrals needed - Direct access to specialists
- Nationwide coverage - Works whether you're in Minnesota or your home state
Twin Cities Metro Area
The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area has excellent healthcare facilities and many Medicare Advantage options. However, if you value choice and flexibility, Medigap's advantage is clear: you can see any Medicare-accepting provider in the metro area without worrying about networks or prior authorizations.
Rural Minnesota Coverage
Minnesota has extensive rural areas where healthcare facilities may be spread out. Medicare Advantage networks can be particularly limiting in rural areas. Medigap plans work at any provider that accepts Medicare, giving you maximum flexibility whether you live in Duluth, St. Cloud, or a small rural community.
Snowbirds and Winter Travel
Many Minnesotans spend winters in warmer climates like Arizona or Florida. If you're a snowbird, Medigap provides nationwide coverage that works seamlessly whether you're in Minnesota or traveling. Consider adding the Foreign Travel Rider if you winter outside the U.S. (like parts of Mexico or Canada).
Minnesota SHIP Program
Minnesota offers a free counseling program called Minnesota SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) through the Minnesota Board on Aging. SHIP counselors can provide general Medicare information, but they cannot recommend specific plans or companies. That's where a fee-only Medicare advisor adds value: we can make specific recommendations based on your individual situation and help you compare actual plan options.
How to Compare Minnesota Medigap Options
Shopping for Minnesota Medicare Supplement coverage requires a different approach than in other states:
- Start with the Basic Plan - Get quotes from multiple insurers for just the Basic Plan
- Identify which riders you need - Consider your health, budget, and risk tolerance
- Add rider costs - Some insurers may price riders more competitively than others
- Calculate total annual cost - Multiply monthly premiums by 12, then add any out-of-pocket costs you'd pay without certain riders
- Consider insurer financial strength - Check A.M. Best ratings and customer reviews
Frequently Asked Questions: Minnesota Medicare
Minnesota standardized Medigap plans BEFORE the federal government created the national standardized plans (A-N). When federal standardization was enacted, Minnesota (along with Massachusetts and Wisconsin) was allowed to keep its existing system because it already provided strong consumer protections. Minnesota's Basic Plan + riders approach has been in place since the 1970s.
To get coverage similar to federal Plan G, you would purchase: Basic Plan + Part A Deductible Rider + Skilled Nursing Facility Rider + Foreign Travel Rider. This combination covers everything except the Part B deductible (currently $240 annually), which is exactly what Plan G does in other states. Some people also add the Part B Excess Charges Rider for even more comprehensive coverage.
The most commonly added riders are: (1) Part A Deductible Rider - because the $1,632 hospital deductible is significant, and (2) Skilled Nursing Facility Rider - to cover SNF coinsurance. Many people also add the Foreign Travel Rider if they travel internationally. The Part B Deductible Rider is less commonly chosen because the Part B deductible is only $240 annually.
No. If you're a Minnesota resident, you can only purchase Medicare Supplement plans that follow Minnesota's standardized plan design (Basic Plan + riders). Federal plans like Plan G and Plan N are not available to Minnesota residents. However, Minnesota's system can provide equivalent or better coverage - you just build it differently using the Basic Plan plus riders.
Yes. Just like in other states, Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans (the Basic Plan and riders) do not include prescription drug coverage. You'll need to enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D plan separately. Minnesota has many Part D options available, and we can help you compare them based on your specific medications and preferred pharmacies.