Medicare in Minnesota: compare your plan options with a licensed agent

Your guide to Medicare in Minnesota

Last reviewed October 2026 by the licensed team at Amerance Health Insurance Group. Costs shown are 2026 Medicare figures from CMS.

Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Minnesota as in every other state. What changes from state to state is which private plans you can choose from, the state rules that apply to Medicare Supplement insurance, and the local programs that can help you pay for coverage. This page covers what's specific to Minnesota.

Your Medicare options in Minnesota

People with Medicare in Minnesota choose between two main paths:

Original Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement and Part D

Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care) lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. That's useful if you see specialists across Minnesota or spend part of the year out of state. Because Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a stand-alone Part D plan for prescriptions.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan, often with dental, vision and hearing benefits and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Plans are approved county by county, so what's available in Minneapolis may differ from what's available in Saint Paul or rural Minnesota. Most use provider networks (HMO or PPO), so it's important to confirm your doctors and hospitals before you enroll.

Not sure which path fits you? Read our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison.

Minnesota Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rules

Minnesota is one of three states that don't use the federal lettered Medigap plans, and it has several protections you won't find elsewhere.

• Minnesota's own plans: every insurer must offer a Basic plan and an Extended Basic plan. Other options include cost-sharing plans, high-deductible plans and optional riders.
• No excess charges: Minnesota law requires providers to accept Medicare's approved amount as payment in full for Minnesota Medicare beneficiaries, with limited exceptions such as ambulance services.
• New annual enrollment (since August 1, 2026): people ages 65 to 70 can buy a Medicare Supplement without health questions during Medicare's fall Annual Enrollment Period or the January–March Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, the first time they use this right. Insurers may add a lifelong surcharge (15% for 2026 enrollees, rising in later years).
• Under 65: the 6-month guaranteed issue period after you first enroll in Part B applies regardless of age, and Minnesota Medigap rates don't vary by age.

Everywhere in the U.S., your strongest protection is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers in Minnesota must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, at the same price as someone in good health. Because Minnesota uses its own Medigap plan designs, a licensed agent or Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly Senior LinkAge Line) can help you compare the Basic Plan and riders.

Turning 65 in Minnesota

Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself and the 3 months after. Sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you already receive Social Security, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, apply through Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in Minnesota.

If you're still working, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Our Turning 65 Medicare guide walks through every deadline, or you can take our 2-minute quiz to get a personal game plan.

Help paying for Medicare in Minnesota

• Medicaid (Medical Assistance): Minnesota residents with limited income and resources may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. Learn more from Medical Assistance.
• Medicare Savings Programs: run through Minnesota's Medicaid agency, these can pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026), and in some cases your deductibles and coinsurance.
• Extra Help: a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. Apply through Social Security.
• Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Medicare Advantage plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, which coordinate both sets of benefits.

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Minnesota

We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Minnesota Aging Pathways (formerly Senior LinkAge Line).

2026 Medicare costs in Minnesota

Original Medicare costs are set nationally by CMS and are the same in Minnesota as everywhere else. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D premiums vary by plan and location.

Key Medicare dates for Minnesota residents

• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, 2027, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year, if you missed signing up for Part A or Part B.
• Moving within or out of Minnesota: if you move out of your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan.

Minnesota Medicare FAQs

Medicare help in nearby states

We also help people with Medicare in Iowa, North Dakota and Wisconsin. See all the states we serve.

Sources

• CMS: 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles
• Minnesota Statutes § 62A.31 (Medigap enrollment protections)
• Minnesota Statutes § 62J.25 (mandatory Medicare assignment)
• Minnesota Department of Commerce: Medicare Supplement open enrollment