If you are already a Medicare beneficiary or will become one this year in Minnesota, know that Medicare supplement plans are quite different in this state. Medicare supplement plans or Medigap, are additional health insurance that pays for healthcare expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Though it is a federal healthcare initiative, private health insurance companies sell Medigap plans.
What do I need to know about Minnesota Medicare supplement plans?
In most states, Medicare supplement plans are offered in ten standardized plan. Each plan provides different levels of core benefits while others have additional benefits. In Minnesota, Medigap plans provide different sets of benefits and are available in two types – the Basic Plan and the Extended Basic Plan.
The basic benefits of a Medigap in MN
The Medigap plans in Minnesota has the following basic or core benefits:
- Inpatient hospital care – it also covers Part A coinsurance
- Covers the Medicare Part B coinsurance (generally 20% of the Medicare-approved amount)
- Covers the first 3 pints of blood each year
- Part A hospice and respite care cost sharing
- Parts A and B home health services and supplies cost sharing
The types of Medicare supplemental insurance in Minnesota
As mentioned above, Medigap insurance in MN has two types. Each type provides different levels of benefits.
1. The Basic Medigap Plan
The Basic Plan of Medigap in Minnesota offers the following benefits:
- The basic or core benefits (enumerated above)
- Medicare Part A Skilled nursing facility coinsurance ( will pay for the 100 days at a skilled nursing facility)
- Full coverage Medicare-covered preventive care expenses
- 50% of outpatient mental health
- 80% of a foreign travel emergency
- 20% of physical therapy
- State-mandated benefits such as routine cancer screening, diabetic equipment and supplies, immunizations and reconstructive surgery
What the Basic Plan doesn’t cover?
The Basic type of Medigap Plan doesn’t cover the following healthcare expenses:
- Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Coverage while in a foreign country
- Usual and customary fees
2. The Extended Basic Plan
The following are the benefits provided by the Extended Basic Plan:
- Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible
- Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility coinsurance – provides 120 days of SNF care
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Full coverage Medicare-covered preventive care expenses
- 20% of physical therapy
- 80%* of a foreign travel emergency
- 50% of outpatient mental health
- 80%* of usual and customary fees
- 80%* of coverage while in a foreign country
- State-mandated benefits such as routine cancer screening, diabetic equipment and supplies, immunizations and reconstructive surgery
* Extended Basic plan will pay 100% after you spend $1000 in out-of-pocket healthcare costs for a calendar year.
Comparing the two plans
Compare Medicare supplement plans first before deciding which one to purchase. By putting it side by side, comparing will be easier. Below is a comparison table of the two Medigap plans in Minnesota. In the table below, YES means the benefit is covered by the plan, and No means it is not covered.
| Medigap Benefits | Medigap Plans | |
| Basic Plan | Extended Basic Plan | |
| Basic benefits | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible | No | Yes |
| Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Yes (Provides 100 days of SNF care) | Yes (Provides 120 days of SNF care) |
| Medicare Part B deductible | No | Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80%* |
| Outpatient mental health | 50% | 50% |
| Usual and customary fees | No | 80%* |
| Medicare-cover preventative care | Yes | Yes |
| Physical therapy | 20% | 20% |
| Coverage while in a foreign country | No | 80%* |
| State-mandated benefits such as routine cancer screening, diabetic equipment and supplies, immunizations and reconstructive surgery | Yes | Yes |
Other Medigap Plan versions
Minnesota also has Medigap Plans K, L, M, N, and high deductible F versions.
Additional plan riders
The state allows insurance companies to offer four additional riders that enrollees can add to a Basic Plan.
Interested enrollees can choose any or all of the riders to obtain a Medigap policy that will satisfy their needs.
The available riders are:
- Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible
- Medicare Part B: deductible
- Usual and customary fees
- Non-Medicare preventive care
When is the best time to enroll in Medigap insurance in Minnesota?
The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan in MN is during your Medigap open enrollment period. It is the six month period from the moment you turn 65 and have Medicare Plan B.
How many people are enrolled in a Medigap insurance plan in Minnesota?
There are about 956,000 people1 age 65 and above who receives benefits from Medicare in Minnesota and about 420,9402 of the population are enrolled in a type of Medicare supplement plan.
Why should I enroll in Medicare supplement insurance when I live in Minnesota?
You should consider a Medigap plan f you are someone who often utilizes medical services and wants to manage healthcare out-of-pocket expenses.
According to GoBankingRates, compared to most states, all living expenses are higher in Minnesota – especially the healthcare costs. You’ll need about $7,816 annually to cover the costs. Medigap may be able to help minimize out-of-pocket expenses and help you manage healthcare expenses in this state.
How much does Medigap Plan cost in Minnesota?
Medicare supplement plan cost or premiums are determined from different factors such as age and time when you get the plan, insurance company, rating systems used and type of Medigap plan. You can request Medicare supplement quotes to gain a better understanding of the cost of Medigap insurance in Minnesota.
I’m interested in Minnesota Medigap Plan
References:
2https://www.ahip.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/State_of_Medigap18_FINAL.pdf
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-to-compare-medigap-policies/medigap-in-minnesota
Disclaimer: All the contents of this website are just for informational purpose only. It does not intend to replace or substitute medical advice from healthcare experts or medical professionals.