People in Minnesota have several options for Medicare, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D.
Medicare plans in Minnesota follow all federal guidelines for healthcare coverage for people ages 65 years or older or those with qualifying disabilities or medical conditions.
However, coverage specifications, additional benefits, and plans may vary. It is important to review all the options that are available in Minnesota.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Original Medicare consists of two parts:
- Part A: Part A (hospital insurance) covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home healthcare.
- Part B: Part B (medical insurance) covers outpatient services and treatments, including:
- preventive services, such as vaccines, screenings, and yearly wellness visits
- services from doctors and other healthcare professionals
- durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds
- home healthcare
Read more about Original Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare that Medicare-approved private insurance companies provide.
Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare. However, they often also include prescription drug (Part D) coverage and other benefits Original Medicare does not cover, such as:
- vision
- dental
- hearing
Some of the companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota include:
- Humana
- UCare
- UnitedHealthcare
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
However, not all plans are available everywhere. People can search their ZIP code to find which plans are available in their area on the Medicare online tool.
Read about Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage.
Medicare eligibility
To be eligible for Medicare, a person must meet the following requirements:
- be 65 years old or older or have certain disabilities or medical conditions, such as end stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- be a United States citizen or a legal resident of the United States
Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription medications, and private insurance companies administer these plans.
Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. People with Original Medicare can purchase a Part D plan.
Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance that people can purchase from private insurance companies. A Medigap plan can help cover some of the costs associated with Original Medicare, including:
- deductibles
- coinsurance
- copayments
Medigap is available only to people who are enrolled in Original Medicare.
Various companies offer Medigap plans in Minnesota, including:
- State Farm
- UCare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
- HealthPartners
- Medica
Individuals can use the Medicare online tool to find plans available in their area.
For unbiased Medicare help and help comparing Medicare plans, individuals can call Minnesota’s Senior Linkage Line at 800-333-2433.
They can also contact Medicare directly by phone at 800-633-4227 or via online chat.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
There are several Medicare options for Minnesota residents, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medigap.
Individuals who have questions about Medicare can contact Minnesota’s Senior Linkage Line or Medicare directly.
