Original Medicare — which is Medicare Part A and Part B combined — helps to cover many of the healthcare expenses that you might face.1 Although Medicare reduces your healthcare costs, you’ll still be responsible for costs like copayments and deductibles which can quickly add up, especially if you have frequent healthcare needs.
You can reduce some of those out-of-pocket fees by enrolling in a Medigap policy, also called a Medicare Supplement plan. After your Original Medicare contributes toward your expenses, your Medigap policy contributes to the remaining costs. Your Medigap policy may reduce or even eliminate what you have to pay.
What You Need to Know
Original Medicare covers many healthcare expenses, but you’ll still be responsible for costs like copayments and deductibles. A Medigap policy can help to cover these remaining fees.
You’ll need to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to qualify for a Medigap policy.
In Minnesota, you can choose from eight Medigap policies. Each one offers slightly different coverage.
When Can You Enroll in Medigap in Minnesota?
Medigap has an Open Enrollment Period, just like traditional health insurance. Your six-month Open Enrollment Period automatically begins the month that you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.2 This is when it’s easiest to enroll in Medigap, and you can buy any policy, even if you have a preexisting health condition like COPD.
You can still enroll in Medigap after your Open Enrollment Period ends, but it gets more complicated. After this time, an insurance company can deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition. A company can also choose not to cover a health condition, or it could require a six-month waiting period before your coverage starts.
However, if you qualify for guaranteed issue rights, you can change or enroll in a Medigap policy outside of your Open Enrollment Period without facing these restrictions.3 Insurance companies must let you buy a policy when you have guaranteed issue rights. Your policy cost can’t be increased and you can’t be denied coverage for a preexisting condition. Certain events, like moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area, qualify you for guaranteed issue rights.
Alternatively, you might qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience an event like losing your current insurance coverage.4 During a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll be able to change your coverage. The types of changes you can make will depend on the event that qualified you for this enrollment period.
Need to Know
After your Open Enrollment Period ends, it isn’t possible to enroll in or change your Medigap policy just because you want to. Altering your plan will require special circumstances.
What Are the Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, you can choose from eight Medigap plans.5 Coverage and premiums vary between plans, so it’s important to carefully research and understand just what’s included in each policy.
You may have heard that many states identify their Medicare plans by letters. In those states, Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N tend to be the most popular. Minnesota plans are slightly different, but comparable policies are available. Note: The Medigap Extended Basic Plan isn’t available if you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020.
Medigap Extended Basic Plan
The Medigap Extended Basic Plan is the most comprehensive option and it most closely resembles Plan F. It includes:
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Medigap Extended Basic Plan – New
The Medigap Extended Basic Plan – New closely resembles Plan G. It offers the same coverage as the Medigap Extended Basic Plan, but doesn’t include the Part B deductible:
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Medigap High Deductible Plan – New
The Medigap High Deductible Plan – New closely resembles Plan N. It offers similar coverage as the Medigap Extended Basic Plan – New, but excludes the Part B deductible and Part B excess charges:
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Foreign travel emergency
What does all this mean? You can easily compare Medigap policies to find out.
How to Choose a Medicare Supplement Plan in Minnesota
Each plan offers slightly different coverage. To get the most out of your plan, you’ll want to choose a policy that covers the types of healthcare expenses you have most often. You’ll also want to balance the plan’s coverage with a premium that you can reasonably afford. Consider using a third-party comparison tool like MedicareGuide.com to help you easily compare and evaluate plans.
How Much Do Medigap Policies Cost in Minnesota?
Medigap policies vary in both coverage and cost. The following prices reflect a quote for a 65-year-old female and male nonsmoker in Minnesota. These rates can give you a rough idea of Medigap plan costs.
65-Year-Old Woman, No Tobacco Use
| Plan Type | Premium Range |
| Medigap Extended Basic Plan | $217-$756 |
| Medigap Extended Basic Plan – New | $200-$550 |
| Medigap High Deductible Plan – New | $67-$92 |
Source: Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans in Minnesota. medicare.gov. Accessed December 05, 2021.
65-Year-Old Man, No Tobacco Use
| Plan Type | Premium Range |
| Medigap Extended Basic Plan | $217-$756 |
| Medigap Extended Basic Plan – New | $200-$550 |
| Medigap High Deductible Plan – New | $67-$92 |
What Companies Sell Medigap in Minnesota?
A Word of Advice
The cost of Medigap policies can vary widely. Be sure to consider what kind of coverage you really need before selecting a plan.
What If You Want to Change Your Medigap Policy in Minnesota?
The rules for changing Medigap policies mirrors that of when you can initially enroll. You are able to change your plan during your Open Enrollment Period. If you have guaranteed issue rights or a Special Enrollment Period, you can also make changes to your policy, but you won’t have many other opportunities to change your plan. When you first sign up for Medigap, it’s important to make sure you understand all the elements of each plan so you can choose the one that’s right for your needs.
What Are Alternatives to Medicare Supplement in Minnesota?
Medicare Advantage plans are similar to Medigap policies, and they help to cover some of the costs you’re responsible for with Medicare Part A and Part B.6 While Medigap policies don’t offer prescription coverage, some Medicare Advantage plans do help to cover your prescription-related expenses.
What Are Medicare Resources in Minnesota?
- The Minnesota Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) provides information about purchasing health insurance and can help you to better understand your health insurance options.
- The Minnesota Department of Insurance helps to investigate and resolve any complaints that you might have against your insurance provider.
- Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid program, offers health insurance coverage for people with low incomes.
- The Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line is a free service that can help you to explore your Medicare options and answer any questions that you may have.
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Next Steps
Medicare covers many of your healthcare costs, but expenses like deductibles and premiums can still add up. Enrolling in a Medigap policy gives you extra coverage to help minimize or even eliminate those out-of-pocket fees that you’re responsible for. To learn more, check out How to Choose a Medicare Supplement Plan.
