Best Medicare in Minnesota (MN)

Medicare offers coverage to millions of people throughout the U.S. Here’s what you need to know about choosing a Medicare plan in Minnesota.

If you’re preparing for retirement, you should be familiar with Medicare and its multiple parts. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors older than 65 and those who collect Social Security benefits before age 65 because of a disability. Medicare has many parts, so you’ll want to begin learning about your options as soon as possible.

Quick Look: The Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Minnesota

• Best for Wide Network Coverage: BlueCross BlueShield
• Best Provider Options: UCare
• Best for MSA: Lasso
• Best for Medicare Part C: UnitedHealthcare
• Best for Part D Coverage: WellCare Health Plans Inc.

Best Medicare Insurance Providers in Minnesota

Ready to choose a Medicare Advantage plan? Here are the best plans in Minnesota, based on our research:

1. Best for Wide Network Coverage: BlueCross BlueShield Minnesota

If you have a healthcare provider you enjoy working with but you don’t have the money to afford a PPO Part C plan, you may want to consider Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers a range of Medicare options as well as a wide network of providers on its HMO coverage. The company claims that 96% of healthcare providers in Minnesota are within the insurance company’s network.

Also, you might want to spend your retirement traveling. BlueCross BlueShield Minnesota makes it easy. It offers travel coverage for up to 9 consecutive months per calendar year.

BlueCross BlueShield's plans also include dental, vision and hearing benefits. It has a variety of plans at different price points, so it’s easy to choose one that fits into your budget. 

• Quote process: Online
• Policy purchase process: Online
• Medicare rating: 4.5 stars
• A.M. best rating: A

2. Best for Provider Options: UCare

UCare says that 96% of all the providers in Minnesota are in its network. That means that you have lots of options and flexibility as you choose a provider. UCare’s Medicare plans include a gym membership, dental care, vision care and services for hearing aids. You can also get care when you’re on the road and emergency care overseas. 

• Quote process: Online or email
• Policy purchase process: Online
• Medicare rating: 4.5 stars

3. Best for MSA: Lasso

Lasso offers a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA). This unique plan combines a high-deductible Medicare plan with a medical savings account. Lasso deposits $3,240 into your account and you can use the money to pay for health care.

The health plan has a $7,400 deductible, which means you’re responsible for $4,160 in expenses each year. Once you meet your deductible, Lasso covers all your Medicare-related health care costs. It’s a flexible option with no premium. 

• Quote process: Online, over the phone or by email
• Policy purchase process: Online

4. Best for Medicare Part C: UnitedHealthcare

One of the biggest benefits of joining a Medicare Part C plan is that you will often get improved benefits over the Original Medicare. UnitedHealthcare offers a range of Part C coverage options with additional benefits like hearing coverage and dental care coverage.

UnitedHealthcare even caps copays on insulin under most plans, which can make these plans even more beneficial for diabetics.  

• Quote process: Online or over t
• Policy purchase process: Online
• Medicare rating: 3.5 stars
• A.M. best rating: A-

5. Best for Part D Coverage: WellCare Health Plans Inc.

WellCare Health Plans Inc. is a prescription drug plan provider in Minnesota offering 6 Part D coverage options. This is twice the number of most Part D providers in the state, which allows you more control over your coverages and costs.

WellCare also offers free mail delivery for prescriptions in tier 1 and tier 2 according to your plan’s formulary. 

• Quote process: Online or by email
• Policy purchase process: Online

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program. It’s available if you’re 65 and older. It’s also available to younger people with disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease. 

Medicare was designed to help provide an affordable option for ongoing care needs when compared to private health insurance plans. You can choose to get Medicare coverage through the federal government (Original Medicare) or through an approved private insurance provider (Medicare Advantage).

You can receive your Medicare services in 2 ways. The first is through Original Medicare, which includes Parts A and B. The other way is through Medicare Advantage plans, which are also called Part C. People who have Medicare Advantage plans have Parts A and B. The difference is that health care providers bill the Medicare Advantage plan instead of Medicare when you take advantage of health care services. 

Parts of Medicare Explained

There are 4 parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Each Medicare part offers coverage for something different. 

Let’s take a closer look at the various parts of Medicare:

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A, frequently referred to as hospital insurance, covers inpatient care that you receive within a hospital setting. Medicare Part A also covers care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice and some home healthcare. Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage. Part A and Part B make up the Original Medicare. 

Medicare Part B

Part B is Medicare’s medical insurance. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care services you do not receive in a hospital. For example, if you visit a psychiatrist for an evaluation, this would be covered under Part B. Part B also covers primary care services, preventive care and treatments and medical supplies. 

Medicare Part C

Part C provides health care services. Many of these plans offer additional benefits that aren’t covered by Medicare, including dental care, routine vision exams, hearing aids and fitness club memberships. 

Medicare Part C plans, often referred to as Medicare Advantage plans, are not federally managed health insurance plans. Instead, Part C coverage comes from individual, private health insurance companies. In order to offer Part C coverage, a health insurance provider will be authorized by the federal government.

Part C plans must include all of the benefits covered under Original Medicare. You can choose to enroll in a single Part C plan instead of Part A and Part B for a simplified health insurance plan option. Many Part C plans also include services and benefits not covered under the Original Medicare, including prescription drug coverage and dental insurance.

Medicare Part D

Part D is Medicare’s prescription coverage. You can buy standalone Medicare Part D plans. You can also buy a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage. 

Original Medicare does not provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs, regardless of whether or not they are medically necessary. Part D coverage, sometimes referred to as prescription drug coverage, helps you pay for medications you take outside of a hospital setting. Like Medicare Part C, Part D plans are issued by private companies authorized by the federal government.

Each Part D plan provider chooses which drugs will be covered under each plan. While Part D plan providers must cover at least some drugs in a variety of categories, health insurance companies are not required to cover every drug in every category. You can view which drugs are covered under each plan by viewing the plan’s formulary.  

Medicare Supplemental Coverage

You might want to get additional coverage to help to cover Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs. You may choose to get a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplemental Insurance. You might also have insurance through a retirement plan. 

Legalities of Medicare in Minnesota

The Department of Health and Human Services regulates Medicare. It also regulates Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Social Security handles enrolling people, but it doesn’t regulate Medicare. The Minnesota Department of Commerce regulates Medicare Supplement plans. 

Everyone on Medicare has rights and protections. You have the right to be treated with dignity and without discrimination. You have the right to have your health and personal information kept private. You have the right to understand what Medicare covers and how it works. You also have the right to appeal Medicare decisions you don’t agree with. 

You can file a complaint about Medicare in general or about a Medicare Advantage plan through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Not sure who to call? Contact Minnesota’s Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433. It connects you with local aging experts who can answer your questions. 

Types of Medicare Advantage Plans

If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s essential to know what type of plans are available. Plan types include:

Health Maintenance Organizations

Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) include a network that requires a referral to see a specialist. Most plans expect you to see providers in your network. Some may allow you to see providers outside your network, but you pay more when you see those providers. 

Preferred Provider Organizations

Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) also have a network. You don’t usually need a referral to see a specialist. You can see providers outside the network, but you’ll pay more to do that. 

Special Needs Plans

sSpecial needs plans (SPNs) are plans are designed to meet the needs of people with chronic health conditions like diabetes. Some plans are for folks who are on Medicaid or who need nursing home care. These plans may be an HMO or PPO. All SNPs have prescription coverage.

Most Medicare Advantage plans also include additional benefits that Medicare doesn’t cover. For example, Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, but many Medicare Advantage plans do. 

How to Sign Up for Medicare in MN

Most people are eligible for premium-free Part A of Medicare when they turn 65. To get Part A for free, you need to have worked at least 40 quarters paying Medicare taxes. This means about 10 years of work. Are you already getting Social Security when you turn 65? If so, it will automatically enroll you in Parts A and B. Coverage will start the first day of the month you turn 65. 

If you aren’t on Social Security, you will need to contact Social Security to enroll.

Medicare Enrollment Period

You have an initial enrollment period. It starts 3 months before the month you turn 65. It ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. Let’s say you turn 65 in December. Your initial enrollment period will start on September 1 and end March 31. 

Some people also receive a special enrollment period. If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part A or B because you have group coverage, you may be eligible for a special enrollment. Your special enrollment will last for 8 months after the month your coverage ends. If your coverage ends in February, your special enrollment period would last until October 31. 

Open Enrollment

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, you can still sign onto coverage during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. The Open Enrollment period begins on Jan. 1 and lasts until March 31. Medicare Open Enrollment occurs on the same dates each year. If you enroll during Open Enrollment, your coverage will go into effect on July 1 of the year you sign onto a policy. This may leave you with a gap in coverage, so Benzinga recommends you enroll in Medicare when you are first eligible to avoid fees and a lack of coverage. 

There’s also a general enrollment period each year. If you missed your initial enrollment and special enrollments, you can enroll in Medicare from January 1 to March 31 each year. Your coverage will start on July 1. You may have to pay a late enrollment penalty on Part A or Part B.

People who are on Social Security disability will automatically receive Medicare benefits after receiving benefits for 24 months. 

Average Cost of Medicare Advantage Plans in MN

Medicare Advantage plans vary in terms of what they cover. Here are some of the plans available in Minnesota.

How to Choose the Right Medicare Plan

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to a Medicare plan. The monthly premium is important. That’s only one aspect of coverage, though. Each Medicare Advantage plan has deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums. Your deductible is the amount you pay for covered services before the plan picks up the cost. Your out-of-pocket maximum is the most you’ll pay for covered services. 

In general, a higher deductible means a lower premium. Medicare Advantage plans vary, so it’s important to look at each plan. You should also consider the number of prescriptions you take. Medicare.gov lets you input your prescription information and allows you to look for a plan that covers the prescriptions you take. Many plans have a separate prescription deductible. 

Consider each plan’s network. If you have doctors you prefer, you may want a plan with more flexibility. If you see specialists frequently, you might want a PPO, which doesn’t usually require referrals. 

Make sure your plan covers your prescriptions. It should also fit into your monthly budget and your financial plan. If you don’t have much in savings, a plan with a higher premium and lower deductible might be a better fit. It’s more money each month but it helps keep your health care costs predictable. 

Getting Started With Medicare

If you’re coming up on your 65^th birthday, it’s a good idea to begin comparing plan options now. Take a look at the policies provided by our partners and think about how you want to get coverage. Starting your search early will help you avoid late enrollment fees, which may be added onto your Part B coverage for years to come.   

If you wish to retain your employer-sponsored insurance, remember that you can carry both policies at the same time. However, you may pay penalties when you go exclusively with Medicare. Plus, you want to notate which policy will pay first because that dictates how many of your claims will be handled and could cause delays (when one carrier is waiting for the other to pay, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions