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 MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). consists of Parts A and B. Part DMedicare Part D is prescription drug coverage for people enrolled in Medicare. Part D is optional and is offered by private insurance companies. and MedigapMedicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is designed to provide coverage that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not. Medigap policies are purchased in addition to Original Medicare and have their own monthly premiums you’ll need to pay. can be added to cover medications and control costs. Medicare AdvantageMedicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older that blends Medicare benefits with private health insurance. This typically includes a bundle of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). is a private insurance alternative.
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 find the right coverage to meet your needs, here’s our guide to Medicare in Minnesota.
How Much Does Medicare Cost in Minnesota?
If you have Medicare in Minnesota, what you’ll 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 as of 2025:
Medicare 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: $285 a month
- You or your spouse worked fewer than 7.5 years: $518 a month
Deductible:
- $1,676 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 Part B
Premium:
- Starts at $185 a month (income-based)
Deductible:
- $257
Copayments & coinsurance:
- $0: most preventative services
- 20% coinsurance for Medicare-approved services
Medicare Part D
Premium:
- Based on plan and income
Deductible:
- Varies but capped at $590 in 2025
Copayments & coinsurance:
- Varies by plan and medication
Find the Medicare Plan that works for you.
How Does Medicare Work in Minnesota?
Medicare is health insurance for all legal U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. Selecting a Medicare plan in Minnesota starts with 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.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Part D is a standalone plan that provides prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota usually include Part D coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement Insurance policies, also called Medigap, provide 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.
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.
Find the Medicare Advantage plan that meets your needs.
Is Minnesota Care Medicare?
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.
Looking for dental, vision and hearing coverage?
What Are the Top 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 to know how those stack up against an Original Medicare plan with Medigap and Part D.
In other words, the answer 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 Types of Medicare Advantage Plans?
It’s important to understand how the different types of Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota work. Here are the four types of plans you may be able to choose from:
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.
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.
994,332 Beneficiaries with Part A & Part B
527,851 Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
53.09% Medicare 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% Medicare Advantage Participation Rate, Previous Year
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 Commerce Department
1-800-657-3602
https://mn.gov/commerce/
What should I know about the Minnesota Commerce Department?
Where to apply for low-income programs like Medical Assistance MinnesotaCare.
Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care
1-800-657-3591
https://mn.gov/ooltc/
What should I know about the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care?
Advocacy program for those in long-term care and receiving home care.
Minnesota Department of Health
1-888-345-0823
https://www.health.state.mn.us/index.html
What should I know about the Minnesota Department of Health?
Find your records, provider info, and the latest news on health in Minnesota.
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
1-888-LinkVet (546-5838)
https://mn.gov/mdva/
What should I know about the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs?
Veterans can connect with employment, educational, and health benefits here.
Nationwide Resources
Speak with a GoHealth insurance agent that is licensed in Minnesota about your Medicare questions.
Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
You can reach the Social Security Administration by phone for general questions. Not all questions can be answered over the phone.
Also, SSA.gov provides online resources for the following: Review information, apply for benefits, or manage your account online
1-800-722-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
Speak to SSA Representative, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 7 PM ET
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.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- Medigap in Minnesota. Medicare.gov.
- Medicare Benefits. SSA.gov.
- Social Security Office Locator. SSA.gov.
- How Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) work. Medicare.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.