Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans
A local agent’s breakdown of the Basic vs. Extended Basic Medigap plans — coverage, riders, pricing, and how to choose the right fit for where you live and how you live.
Reviewed annually
Minnesota-specific
This page covers Medicare Supplement plans in Minnesota — which work differently than in most other states. “Medicare Supplement” and “Medigap” mean the same thing; you’ll see both terms used throughout. For official Medicare information, visit medicare.gov.
Jamie Prip is an independent licensed insurance agent appointed to offer Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans, as well as plans from other carriers. This site is not the official Blue Cross Blue Shield website.
Why Minnesota’s Medicare Supplement plans are different
Most states use an A–N lettering system where Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F each have fixed benefits. Minnesota doesn’t work that way. Instead, you choose between a Basic Plan and an Extended Basic Plan, with optional riders to customize your coverage.
- No A–N lettering system — Minnesota uses Basic and Extended Basic instead
- Plans are community rated — everyone in the same area pays the same premium regardless of age
- No pre-existing condition waiting periods — coverage starts right away
- Add riders to Basic to build exactly the coverage you need
- Extended Basic bundles the most common riders in from the start
The two plans at a glance
Both plans cover the core gaps left by Original Medicare. The difference is how much you want built in versus customized.
Lower premium
Basic
Basic Medicare Supplement Plan
Helps cover the costs Original Medicare leaves behind, including Part A and Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility care, blood, hospice, and certain other benefits. Optional riders let you add coverage for expenses such as the Part A hospital deductible. A good option for people who want a lower premium and the flexibility to choose additional coverage.
More built-in
Extended Basic
Extended Basic Medicare Supplement Plan
Includes everything in Basic plus additional benefits, such as coverage for the Part A hospital deductible, Part B excess charges, and expanded foreign travel coverage. A good option for people who want more comprehensive coverage without having to add individual riders.
Side-by-side coverage comparison
Where Basic doesn’t include something by default, you’ll see whether a rider can fill the gap — so you don’t have to jump straight to Extended Basic.
| Benefit | Basic (Basic Medicare Blue℠) | Extended Basic (Extended Basic Blue℠) |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospitalization coinsurance | Included | Included |
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible | Optional rider | Included |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 1–100) | Included | Included |
| Skilled nursing facility (days 101–120) | Not included | 80% included |
| Part B medical expenses coinsurance | Included | Included |
| Part B deductible | Optional rider (pre-Jan 1, 2020 enrollees only) | Included |
| Part B excess charges | Optional rider | Included |
| First 3 pints of blood | Included | Included |
| Hospice care coinsurance | Included | Included |
| Foreign travel emergency care | 80% | 80% |
| Coverage while in a foreign country (non-emergency) | Not included | 80% |
| Outpatient mental health | 50% | 50% |
| Preventive care (non-Medicare covered, up to $120/year) | Optional rider | Included |
Sources: Medicare.gov — Medigap in Minnesota; Minnesota Statutes §62A.315 (Extended Basic) and §62A.316 (Basic). Coverage details reflect BCBS Minnesota’s Basic Medicare Blue℠ and Extended Basic Blue℠ plans. The Basic Medicare Select (Senior Gold) plan has a similar structure but requires use of Select network providers within Minnesota.
How much do these plans cost?
Minnesota’s community rating means everyone in your area pays the same rate for the same plan regardless of age — a major advantage over most states. Rates do vary by ZIP code, tobacco status, and which riders you add.
Call or book a free consultation and I’ll pull exact quotes for your area across all available carriers — no cost, no obligation.
Riders you can add to Basic
Want to keep the Basic premium but expand coverage where it matters to you? Riders let you tailor the plan without jumping to Extended Basic.
Part A Deductible Rider
Covers 100% of the Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible — one of the most commonly added riders.
Skilled Nursing Facility Rider
Adds skilled nursing facility coinsurance coverage for extended recovery stays.
Foreign Travel Emergency Rider
Covers 80% of emergency medical costs abroad, up to plan limits. Popular with frequent travelers.
Part B Excess Charges Rider
Covers charges above Medicare-approved amounts. Less common in Minnesota but useful in some situations.
Home Health Care Rider
Expands in-home care coverage beyond what Original Medicare provides.
Part B Deductible Rider
Only available if you were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Other Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota plans to consider
Beyond Basic and Extended Basic, BCBS Minnesota offers several other Medigap options worth knowing about.
Senior Gold
Basic Medicare Select (Senior Gold)
Similar coverage to Basic Medicare Blue but requires use of Select network providers within Minnesota (and bordering counties in ND, SD, IA, and WI). Lower premium than the standard Basic plan in exchange for network restrictions.
Real-world fits — how locals decide
Here’s how people in the area typically land on the right plan based on their situation.
- 1
Prior Lake — budget-focused. Generally healthy, doesn’t travel much. Chooses Basic and adds the Part A Deductible Rider for hospital peace of mind at a lower overall cost.
- 2
Savage — frequent traveler. Leaves the country every year. Chooses Extended Basic for built-in foreign travel emergency and skilled nursing coverage — no separate rider needed.
- 3
Jordan — “just cover it.” Wants fewer decisions and no add-ons to manage. Chooses Extended Basic for simplicity and comprehensive protection from day one.
- 4
New Prague — cost-conscious and healthy. Wants solid coverage but is watching the monthly budget. Chooses Basic and adds only the Part A Deductible Rider for a lower overall premium.
Important things to know before you enroll
None of these plans cover prescription drugs
All BCBS Minnesota Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You will need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover your medications.
Senior Gold (Select) has a provider network
The Senior Gold plan requires you to use Select network providers for certain benefits when receiving care in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin border counties. If you frequently travel or split time between states, the standard Basic Medicare Blue plan gives you more flexibility as it works with any Medicare provider nationwide.
30-day free look period
Not happy with your plan after enrolling? You can cancel within 30 days of receiving your contract for a full refund. This applies to all BCBS Minnesota Medigap plans and gives you peace of mind when making your decision.
Tobacco use affects your premium
Minnesota’s community rating rules mean your age doesn’t affect your premium — but tobacco use can. Tobacco users pay a higher standard rate than the tobacco-free rates shown on this page. If you’ve quit, make sure your insurer has your current status on file.
Minnesota enrollment rules — timing matters
Minnesota’s rules are consumer-friendly, but your enrollment window makes a big difference in what you can access without health questions.
Medigap Open Enrollment
Starts when you’re 65+ and enrolled in Part B. Guaranteed issue — no health questions asked.
No Waiting Periods
Minnesota doesn’t impose pre-existing condition waiting periods. Coverage begins immediately upon your effective date.
Switching Plans
You can apply to switch plans after your open enrollment window, but medical underwriting may apply outside protected periods.
Best advice: If you’re in your six-month Medigap open enrollment window, lock in guaranteed issue now. Waiting can limit your options if your health changes.
How to choose in four steps
Use this checklist to land on the right fit the first time.
- 1
List your must-haves. Do you want hospital deductible coverage? Skilled nursing? Foreign travel? Knowing your priorities makes the rest easy.
- 2
Pick your approach. Extended Basic is simpler — everything’s built in. Basic with riders gives you more control and potentially lower costs.
- 3
Run local quotes. Community rating still varies by ZIP code and carrier. Get the exact number for your area before deciding.
- 4
Enroll in your best window. If you’re in your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, don’t wait — guaranteed issue won’t last forever.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement outside Minnesota?
Yes. Medigap is accepted anywhere in the U.S. that takes Medicare. The Extended Basic plan also includes an 80% foreign travel emergency benefit up to plan limits.
Can I switch from Basic to Extended Basic later?
Possibly — but outside your initial six-month Medigap open enrollment window, medical underwriting may apply. Check your timing before making the switch.
Are Minnesota Medigap premiums age-based?
No. Minnesota uses community rating, so people in the same area pay the same rate for the same plan. Tobacco use may affect pricing, but your age does not.
Is outpatient mental health fully covered?
Yes, for Medicare-approved services. Minnesota state law mandates that all Medicare Supplement plans must provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments on the same basis as any other medical condition. Because both the Basic and Extended Basic plans cover 100% of your standard Medicare Part B medical coinsurance gaps, your eligible outpatient mental health care is fully covered by both plans once your medical deductibles are met.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage — quick note
Both are valid paths — they just work very differently with your care.
| Feature | Medigap (these plans) | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Works with | Original Medicare — keeps your red card | Replaces Original Medicare |
| Provider access | Any provider that accepts Medicare — nationwide | Usually network-based (HMO/PPO) |
| Drug coverage | Separate Part D plan required | Usually included |
| Extra benefits | Not typically included | Often includes dental, vision, hearing |
| Cost predictability | Very predictable — fills Medicare gaps | Varies by services used |
Bottom line
Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans are a strong option for Minnesotans who want predictable costs and nationwide provider access. The choice between Basic and Extended Basic comes down to how much you want built in versus how much you want to customize. Either way, community rating means your premium won’t climb just because you’re getting older — a significant advantage over most other states.
If you’d like a free side-by-side quote comparing Blue Cross Blue Shield alongside other carriers available in your area, feel free to reach out. There’s no cost and no obligation.
Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in Medicare Coverage
Serving clients nationwide since 2018 | Licensed in 20+ states