Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans: A Complete Guide for 2026

If you’re turning 65 in Minnesota or reviewing your current Medicare coverage, you’ve probably already discovered that Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything. That 20% coinsurance, the Part A hospital deductible, the skilled nursing facility costs — those gaps can add up fast. That’s exactly what Medicare Supplement insurance (also called Medigap) is designed to fix.

Minnesota is one of a handful of states that doesn’t follow the standard federal Medigap plan structure. Instead, the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce has established its own framework, with plans ranging from Basic coverage to the most comprehensive Extended Basic coverage. Understanding the difference between these plans is the key to choosing the right fit for your health needs and budget.

This guide breaks down the four main Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans available in 2026 — what they cover, what they don’t, and who each plan is best suited for.

Want to see what these plans actually cost per month? See real Minnesota Medicare Supplement premiums here:
Minnesota Medicare Supplement Monthly Premium Guide (2026)

How Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans Work

Before diving into specific plans, it helps to understand what all Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans have in common. Every plan — regardless of which tier you choose — includes these core benefits:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance for inpatient hospital care
• Medicare Part B coinsurance (typically 20% of Medicare-approved amounts)
• First 3 pints of blood each year
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100)

Beyond these basics, plans differ significantly in what additional costs they cover. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the monthly premium — but the lower your potential out-of-pocket exposure.

Minnesota also mandates several state-specific benefits that all plans must include, such as coverage for immunizations not covered under Part D, Lyme disease treatment, cancer screenings, mental health services on the same basis as other conditions, diabetes equipment and supplies, and reconstructive surgery. These mandated benefits give Minnesota residents stronger baseline protections than many other states.

The 4 Minnesota Medigap Plan Types for 2026

1. Minnesota Basic Medicare Supplement Plan

Best for: Relatively healthy individuals who want core gap coverage at a lower premium and are comfortable covering their deductibles out of pocket.

The Basic Plan is Minnesota’s entry-level Medigap option. It covers the fundamentals — the costs that show up most frequently for Medicare beneficiaries — without the added premium that comes with more comprehensive tiers.

What’s included:

• Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance (days 1–150; 100% of Medicare-eligible expenses for days 151–515)
• Medicare Part B coinsurance (20% of approved amounts)
• First 3 pints of blood annually
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100, up to $217.00/day in 2026)
• Foreign travel emergency care (80% of covered expenses)
• Hospice care cost-sharing

What you’ll pay out of pocket:

• The Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026) — unless you add the optional Rider A
• The Part B deductible ($283 per calendar year in 2026) — unless you add the optional Rider B (available only if you were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020)
• Part B excess charges — unless you add the optional Rider D
• Any costs beyond 515 days of hospitalization

Optional Riders Available: The Basic Plan has a unique advantage in its flexibility. You can customize it with four optional add-ons:

• Rider A — Covers the Part A deductible
• Rider B — Covers the Part B deductible (pre-2020 Medicare eligibles only)
• Rider C — Covers preventive health services up to $120 annually
• Rider D — Covers 100% of Part B excess charges

This modular structure lets you build exactly the coverage you need without paying for benefits you don’t want.

A note on Part B excess charges in Minnesota: Under Minnesota statutes, most health care providers are prohibited from charging Medicare beneficiaries more than the Medicare-approved amount. This means Rider D has limited practical value for most Minnesotans. Note that this protection does not apply to ambulance services or medical supplies and equipment vendors who don’t accept Medicare assignment — so if those are areas of concern for you, Rider D may still be worth considering.

2. Minnesota Extended Basic Medicare Supplement Plan

Best for: People who want the most comprehensive coverage available and prefer knowing their out-of-pocket costs are capped, regardless of how much healthcare they use.

The Extended Basic Plan is the most comprehensive Medigap option available in Minnesota. It’s designed for people who want to hand off virtually all of their Medicare cost-sharing to the insurance company and not worry about surprise bills.

What’s included (everything in the Basic Plan, plus):

• Part A deductible — fully covered ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026)
• Part B deductible — fully covered ($283 in 2026; available to pre-2020 Medicare eligibles only on the legacy version; the 2020 version does not include this)
• Part B excess charges — 100% covered
• Foreign travel medical care — 80% of covered expenses (broader than emergency-only)
• Preventive care — up to $120 per calendar year for services not covered by Medicare

The Extended Basic’s standout feature — the additional benefits section:

What makes the Extended Basic genuinely different from other plan types is a substantial supplemental benefits provision that most people don’t realize exists. After you’ve paid your deductibles, this plan will cover 80% of usual and customary charges for a wide range of services that Medicare doesn’t cover at all, including:

• Prescription drugs requiring a physician’s prescription
• Nursing home care for up to 120 days annually (if it would otherwise qualify for Medicare reimbursement)
• Home health agency services
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Licensed ambulance transportation
• Durable medical equipment (beyond the Medicare benefit)
• Diagnostic X-rays and laboratory tests
• Anesthetics, oxygen, and prosthetic devices

And here’s the provision that really stands out: once your out-of-pocket expenses reach $1,000 in a calendar year, the plan pays 100% of covered additional benefits for the remainder of that year. This built-in stop-loss mechanism is a meaningful protection for anyone who ends up needing frequent care.

2020 version note: If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you’ll be enrolled in the Extended Basic 2020 version. This version does not cover the Part B deductible (federal law prohibits it for newer Medicare beneficiaries) but is otherwise comparable to the standard Extended Basic.

3. Minnesota High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan

Best for: Generally healthy individuals who want catastrophic coverage protection at the lowest possible monthly premium, and who can comfortably cover the annual deductible out of pocket if needed.

The High Deductible Plan offers the same comprehensive coverage as the Extended Basic Plan — but only kicks in after you’ve paid a $2,950 annual deductible in 2026. That deductible adjusts each year to reflect Consumer Price Index changes, so it stays pegged to inflation.

How it works: Before the plan pays anything, you’re responsible for $2,950 in out-of-pocket costs (not including premiums) for covered services. Once you’ve met that deductible, the plan pays the same benefits as the Extended Basic — Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing costs, and more.

The math that makes this plan compelling:

The monthly premium savings compared to the Extended Basic Plan are significant. For many enrollees, the annual premium difference between the High Deductible Plan and the Extended Basic Plan is greater than the $2,870 deductible itself. That means in a year where you stay reasonably healthy and don’t hit the deductible, you come out ahead. In a year where you do hit the deductible, you’re roughly at break-even or still saving compared to the higher-premium plan.

An important safety net: Medicare covers 100% of preventive care services — annual wellness exams, flu vaccines, mammograms, colonoscopies, PSA tests, bone density screenings, and more — with no cost to you. These services don’t count toward your deductible and don’t require any plan payments. For people who primarily use preventive services, it’s quite possible to go years without ever approaching the deductible.

2020 version note: If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, the High Deductible Plan 2020 applies to you. The key difference is that the Part B deductible ($257) counts toward your $2,870 annual deductible in the 2020 version, whereas it does not in the pre-2020 version.

4. Minnesota $20/$50 Copayment Medicare Supplement Plan

Best for: People who want lower monthly premiums than the Extended Basic but more coverage than the Basic Plan alone, and who don’t expect to need frequent office visits or ER trips.

The Copayment Plan (comparable to what other states call Plan N) sits in the middle of the Minnesota Medigap spectrum — meaningfully more affordable than the Extended Basic, while still covering most of the major cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare.

What’s included:

• Medicare Part A deductible — fully covered ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026)
• Medicare Part B coinsurance — covered, except for copayments on certain visits:
  • Up to $20 copayment for some office visits
  • Up to $50 copayment for emergency room visits (waived entirely if you’re admitted to the hospital and the ER visit is covered as a Part A expense)
• First 3 pints of blood annually
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency care (80% of covered expenses)

What it does not cover:

• The Part B deductible ($283 annually)
• Part B excess charges

The excess charges question in Minnesota: In most states, the lack of excess charge coverage would be a significant concern. In Minnesota, it largely isn’t. Minnesota statutes prohibit most health care providers from charging Medicare beneficiaries more than the Medicare-approved amount. The key exceptions are ambulance services and medical supplies and equipment vendors who don’t accept Medicare assignment — those are not covered by the prohibition. Excess charges are also still a factor if you regularly see providers outside of Minnesota who don’t accept Medicare assignment.

Who saves the most with this plan? People who visit the doctor a handful of times a year and rarely need emergency care will typically come out ahead with the Copayment Plan versus the Extended Basic, purely based on the premium difference. The copayments only become costly if you’re making frequent visits — in which case the Extended Basic’s higher premium might be worth it for the peace of mind.

2026 Minnesota Medigap Premium Comparison at a Glance

(Annual premiums. Monthly cost = annual premium × 0.0833. Note: a one-time $20 application fee applies to all plans.)

Plan	Preferred (Annual)	Approx. Monthly
Basic Plan	$3,146	~$262
Basic + Rider A	$3,670	~$306
Extended Basic	$3,820	~$318
Extended Basic + Part B Ded.	$4,077	~$340
High Deductible	$1,058	~$88
High Deductible + Part B Ded.	$1,315	~$110
Copayment Plan	$2,798	~$233

*Sample rates from a single carrier’s August 2025 rate sheet. Preferred rates shown. Actual premiums vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and county of residence. Contact a licensed Minnesota Medicare agent for current quotes.

How to Choose the Right Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plan

There’s no single “best” plan — the right Minnesota Medicare Supplement plan for you depends on your health situation, financial priorities, and risk tolerance. Here’s a simple framework:

Choose the High Deductible Plan if you’re in good health, rarely visit doctors beyond preventive care, have savings to cover the deductible in a bad year, and want to keep monthly costs as low as possible.

Choose the Basic Plan (with riders) if you want flexibility to customize your coverage and pay only for the gaps you’re most concerned about. This is also a smart option for people who are comfortable with some out-of-pocket exposure but want protection from the biggest costs.

Choose the Copayment Plan if you want solid coverage without the full Extended Basic premium, don’t expect to need frequent office or emergency room visits, and plan to primarily see providers within Minnesota.

Choose the Extended Basic Plan if you want the most comprehensive coverage available, prefer predictable costs regardless of how much healthcare you use, or have health conditions that mean you’re likely to use your benefits frequently.

Minnesota-Specific Medigap Rights You Should Know

Guaranteed renewable: All Minnesota Medigap plans are guaranteed renewable, meaning the insurance company cannot cancel your coverage or refuse to renew it as long as you pay your premiums on time — regardless of changes in your health.

Open enrollment: The best time to enroll is during your Medigap open enrollment period — the six months beginning on the first day of the month you turn 65. During this window, insurers must accept your application regardless of your health history and cannot charge higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. If you wait until after this window closes, you may face medical underwriting.

Right to cancel: You can cancel your Medigap policy at any time without penalty.

30-day free look: If you receive your policy and decide you don’t want it, you have 30 days to return it and receive a full refund of premiums paid.

Premium changes: Any premium increase must be filed with and approved by the state of Minnesota, and you must receive at least 30 days’ written notice before any change takes effect.

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Medigap Plans

What is the difference between a Basic and Extended Basic Medigap plan in Minnesota?

The Extended Basic covers more costs — including the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, and a broad range of additional services at 80% (100% after $1,000 in out-of-pocket costs). The Basic Plan covers core coinsurance costs but leaves deductibles and excess charges as optional add-ons through riders.

Can I be denied Medigap coverage in Minnesota?

During your open enrollment period (the 6 months starting the month you turn 65), you cannot be denied coverage or charged more due to health conditions. Outside of this window, carriers can apply medical underwriting and may deny coverage or charge higher rates.

Does Minnesota Medigap cover prescription drugs?

No. Minnesota Medigap plans do not cover outpatient prescription drugs. For drug coverage, you need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. The Extended Basic Plan does cover some prescription drug costs in its additional benefits section, but this applies only to drugs that fall outside of what Medicare covers — not as a replacement for Part D.

Are Medicare excess charges a real concern in Minnesota?

For most Minnesotans, no. Minnesota statutes prohibits most health care providers from charging Medicare beneficiaries more than the Medicare-approved amount. However, there are two notable exceptions: ambulance services and medical supplies and equipment vendors who don’t accept Medicare assignment are not covered by this prohibition. Excess charges also remain a concern if you’re traveling out of state and seeing providers who don’t accept Medicare assignment.

Can I switch Medigap plans after I enroll?

You can apply to switch plans at any time, but outside of guaranteed issue periods, carriers can require you to go through medical underwriting. If your health has changed since you first enrolled, switching may be difficult or more expensive. It’s generally best to choose your plan carefully at the start.

What is the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage in Minnesota?

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to fill in cost-sharing gaps. Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare entirely with a private insurance plan, often including additional benefits like dental and vision. They serve different purposes and you cannot have both at the same time.

When does the Minnesota High Deductible Medigap Plan make financial sense?

A simple way to evaluate it: calculate the annual premium difference between the High Deductible Plan and the Extended Basic Plan. If that difference is greater than $2,950 (the deductible), you’d have to hit the full deductible every single year just to break even on the Extended Basic. For many healthy enrollees, the High Deductible Plan produces net savings over time.

Get Help Choosing the Right Minnesota Medigap Plan

Comparing Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans on your own can be confusing — especially in Minnesota, where the plan structure differs from most other states. As a licensed Minnesota Medicare insurance agent, I help individuals and families evaluate their options, compare carriers, and enroll in the plan that actually fits their life.

Minnesota Medicare Resources:

• Senior LinkAge Line (free Medicare guidance): mn.gov/senior-linkage-line
• Minnesota Department of Human Services Medicare Help: mn.gov/dhs
• MNsure (health coverage marketplace): mnsure.org

Jamie Prip

Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in Medicare Coverage

Serving clients nationwide since 2018 | Licensed in 20+ states

I’ve been helping people turning 65 make sense of Medicare since 2018. I’m licensed and certified in multiple states and offer remote meetings to make the process simple and pressure-free, so you can choose a plan with confidence.