Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota uses its own Medigap plan system with community rating. Over 200,000+ Minnesotans have Medigap coverage. We compared 15+ carriers to find the best Extended Basic and Plan N options in the North Star State.
Minnesota Uses Its Own Medigap Plan System with Community Rating
Unlike most states that use federal Plan A through Plan N, Minnesota has its own standardized plans called the Basic Plan and Extended Basic Plan. Minnesota also requires community rating, meaning a 65-year-old and an 85-year-old pay the same monthly premium. Starting premiums are higher than neighboring states, but they do not increase simply because you get older. This makes Minnesota one of the most predictable Medigap markets in the country for long-term budgeting.
More than 200,000 Minnesotans have Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap. Minnesota is one of only three states that uses its own standardized Medigap plan system instead of the federal lettered plans used in most of the country. Rather than Plan G or Plan N, Minnesota enrollees choose between a Basic Plan and an Extended Basic Plan, with optional riders to customize coverage. Plans K, L, M, and N are also available.
Minnesota requires all Medigap carriers to use community rating, which means everyone with the same plan pays the same monthly premium regardless of age. A 65-year-old and an 85-year-old pay identical rates. While this results in higher starting premiums than neighboring states like Iowa or Wisconsin, your premium will not increase simply because you get older. For long-term budgeting, this is a significant advantage.
Minnesota also prohibits Part B excess charges, meaning doctors in Minnesota cannot bill you more than the Medicare-approved amount. Starting August 1, 2026, Minnesotans ages 65 to 70 have a new one-time guaranteed issue window to enroll in or switch Medigap plans outside of their Open Enrollment Period, though a premium penalty applies.
Compare the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Minnesota
Our top-rated Medigap carriers in Minnesota, ranked by the MedicareFAQ Score. Premiums shown are for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker in Minneapolis. Because Minnesota uses community rating, your premium will be the same regardless of age. Rates in Duluth, Rochester, and Greater Minnesota may vary.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
Extended Basic
$268/mo
Plan N
$210/mo
AM Best
A+
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota is the dominant local carrier, covering more Minnesotans than any other Medigap insurer. Their A+ financial rating, statewide provider network, and deep roots in Minnesota healthcare make them the top choice for enrollees who want a carrier with proven local staying power.
HealthPartners
Extended Basic
$255/mo
Plan N
$198/mo
AM Best
A
HealthPartners is a Minnesota-based nonprofit insurer with an integrated care model that pairs well with their Medigap coverage. Their strong Twin Cities network and competitive Extended Basic premiums make them a top pick for enrollees in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
Medica
Extended Basic
$250/mo
Plan N
$192/mo
AM Best
A-
Medica offers the most competitive Extended Basic premium among Minnesota's top carriers at $250/mo, and their rural Minnesota network is the strongest of any local insurer. For enrollees outside the Twin Cities metro, Medica is often the best combination of price and local coverage.
Mutual of Omaha
Extended Basic
$285/mo
Plan N
$220/mo
AM Best
A+
Mutual of Omaha is the top nationally-rated carrier available in Minnesota. Their A+ financial rating and 7% household discount make them worth considering, especially for enrollees who travel frequently and want a carrier with strong claims support outside Minnesota.
AARP / UnitedHealthcare
Extended Basic
$295/mo
Plan N
$230/mo
AM Best
A
AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers the broadest plan selection in Minnesota including Plans K, L, M, and N in addition to Basic and Extended Basic. Their national brand and 24/7 nurse hotline add value, though their premiums run higher than local carriers like BCBS MN, HealthPartners, and Medica.
Medicare Supplement Prices in Minnesota
Sample monthly premiums from top carriers in Minneapolis. Rates shown are for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker. Minnesota uses community rating, so premiums are the same for all ages. Rates in rural Minnesota may be lower than the Twin Cities metro.
| Insurance Company | Extended Basic Monthly | Plan N Monthly | Plan F Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medica | $250 | $192 | N/A |
| HealthPartners | $255 | $198 | N/A |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield MN | $268 | $210 | N/A |
| Mutual of Omaha | $285 | $220 | $310 |
| AARP / UnitedHealthcare | $295 | $230 | $325 |
| Aetna | $272 | $212 | N/A |
| Cigna | $260 | $200 | N/A |
Lowest available in Minnesota (Minneapolis): Extended Basic from $250/mo | Plan N from $192/mo | Source: Boomer Benefits, CMS Medicare Plan Finder, May 2026
Extended Basic vs. Plan N in Minnesota
The Extended Basic Plan is the closest equivalent to Plan G in other states. Plan N is also available in Minnesota. Here is how they compare.
| Coverage Feature | Extended Basic | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance (20%) | Covered | Covered* |
| Part A deductible ($1,736) | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible ($283) | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B excess charges | N/A in MN | N/A in MN |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered | Covered |
| Office visit copay | $0 | Up to $20 |
| ER copay (no admission) | $0 | Up to $50 |
| Avg. monthly premium (Minneapolis) | $250-$295 | $192-$230 |
*Plan N covers Part B coinsurance but may charge up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in inpatient admission. Minnesota prohibits Part B excess charges, so neither plan needs excess charge coverage.
Minnesota's community rating means your premium stays the same as you age, but you pay more upfront than in neighboring states. A 65-year-old in Iowa might pay $100/mo for Plan G, while the same coverage in Minneapolis costs $250/mo or more. The trade-off is that your premium will not jump to $400/mo at age 80 the way it would in an attained-age state. For long-term budgeting, Minnesota's community rating is a genuine advantage. Among local carriers, Medica at $250/mo offers the best starting price with solid rural coverage. BCBS Minnesota at $268/mo is the safest choice for anyone who wants the largest local network and the strongest financial backing. Your 6-month Open Enrollment Period at 65 is still your best window to enroll without medical underwriting, though the new August 2026 rule gives ages 65 to 70 a second chance with a penalty.
Minnesota Medigap Rules You Should Know
Community Rating: Same Premium for All Ages
Minnesota requires all Medigap carriers to use community rating, meaning everyone with the same plan pays the same monthly premium regardless of age. A 65-year-old and an 85-year-old pay identical rates. While this means higher starting premiums than age-rated states like Iowa or Wisconsin, your premium will not increase simply because you get older. This provides significant long-term financial stability.
Basic and Extended Basic Plans Instead of Lettered Plans
Minnesota uses its own standardized plan system instead of the federal lettered plans (A through N). The Basic Plan covers core benefits including hospital costs, medical costs, blood, and hospice care. The Extended Basic Plan adds coverage for the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility care, foreign travel emergency, and usual and customary fees. Plans K, L, M, and N are also available in Minnesota.
Riders Available to Customize the Basic Plan
Minnesota allows enrollees to add optional riders to the Basic Plan for additional coverage. Available riders include the Part A deductible, usual and customary fee coverage, and non-Medicare preventive care. The Part B deductible rider is only available to those who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. This a la carte approach lets you tailor coverage to your specific needs.
No Part B Excess Charges in Minnesota
Minnesota state law prohibits doctors from billing Medicare patients for Part B excess charges, which in other states can add up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. This means you do not need to worry about excess charge coverage when choosing a Medigap plan in Minnesota, though you may face excess charges if you travel to other states.
New 2026 Guaranteed Issue Rule for Ages 65 to 70
Effective August 1, 2026, Minnesotans ages 65 to 70 have a one-time opportunity to enroll in or switch to a Medigap policy outside of their initial Open Enrollment Period without medical underwriting. A premium penalty applies, starting at 15% in 2026 and increasing by 5% per year up to a maximum of 35% starting in 2029. This is a significant new protection for early Medicare enrollees.
Free Counseling via Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line
The Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433) provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the Minnesota Board on Aging. Trained counselors can help you compare Basic vs. Extended Basic plans, understand riders, and navigate the unique Minnesota Medigap system. There is no cost and counselors do not sell insurance.
MedicareFAQ Scoring Methodology
The MedicareFAQ Score rates Medicare Supplement carriers on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0 based on five key factors. Our ratings are independent and not influenced by advertising relationships.
Financial Strength (AM Best)
Claims-paying ability and long-term stability
Customer Satisfaction
NAIC complaint ratios and member satisfaction surveys
Premium Competitiveness
Extended Basic and Plan N rates vs. Minnesota market average
Plan Availability
Number of plan types offered in Minnesota
Local Network Strength
Provider network depth across Minnesota counties
Last updated: May 2026 | Data sources: NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings, CMS Medicare Plan Finder, Boomer Benefits, NerdWallet
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the Best Medigap Rate in Your Minnesota ZIP Code
Minnesota has a unique Medigap market with community rating and local carriers like BCBS MN, HealthPartners, and Medica. Extended Basic premiums start at $250/mo in Minneapolis. Enter your ZIP code to see exact rates from all available carriers in your area. Your Open Enrollment Period at 65 is the best time to lock in coverage without medical underwriting.