Alyssa Lane
Minnesota offers a variety of health insurance options for seniors, including Medicare, Medigap, and Medical Assistance (MA). Medigap, or Minnesota MedicareGap, is a type of supplemental insurance that helps fill in the gaps in original Medicare coverage. Minnesota offers Medigap Plans K, L, M, and N, as well as a high-deductible Plan F for those who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. Medical Assistance is a program that provides medical care for very low-income Minnesotans, and it can help pay for services that Medicare does not cover. Minnesota also has short-term health insurance options, but these are not as comprehensive as ACA-compliant major medical plans and are intended for temporary coverage. The state also provides resources such as the Senior LinkAge Line®, which is a free telephone and referral service that assists seniors with health insurance or Medicare-related questions and helps locate lower-cost prescription drugs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Short-term health insurance | Not allowed in Minnesota |
| Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line | 1-800-333-2433 |
| Minnesota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) | 1-800-333-2433 |
| Minnesota's health insurance marketplace | MNsure Cobra Senior Information Lower Cost Dental Services Health Care for Children or Persons with Disabilities General Insurance Information Prescription Drugs Veterans Information 1-855-366-7873 |
| Minnesota's public health care programs | Medical Assistance (MA), MinnesotaCare, Medicare |
| Medigap in Minnesota | Plans K, L, M, and N are available |
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What You'll Learn
Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, MNsure
Minnesota does not offer short-term health insurance. However, the state does provide various health insurance options for seniors.
Minnesota's health insurance marketplace: MNsure
MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, where Minnesotans can purchase individual and family health coverage. It is the only place to apply for financial help to lower the cost of insurance. MNsure allows individuals and families to shop, compare, and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. Most Minnesota residents are eligible to enrol in individual/family coverage through MNsure, but eligibility for financial assistance depends on income. To qualify for financial assistance with your Marketplace plan, you must not be eligible to enrol in an affordable employer-sponsored health insurance plan.
Other health insurance options
Outside of MNsure, Minnesotans can also purchase individual and family health coverage through an insurance agent or broker, or directly from a health plan. Additionally, Minnesota offers Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare as alternative health insurance options. MA may help pay your premium, even if you have other health insurance or Medicare coverage. MinnesotaCare, however, is not available to those enrolled or eligible for Medicare. There are also special programs to help pay for Medicare costs, such as premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Medigap in Minnesota
Medigap policies in Minnesota are standardized differently, offering basic benefits. Minnesota versions of Medigap Plans K, L, M, and N are available, as well as high-deductible Plan F for those who were eligible for Medicare before 1 January 2020. Insurance companies can add more coverage to a Basic Plan.
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Minnesota's short-term health insurance options
Minnesota does not allow the purchase of short-term health insurance plans. As of 2024, there are no insurers offering short-term health insurance in the state. This means that Minnesota residents seeking health insurance must explore other options.
Short-term health insurance is intended for temporary coverage and is not as comprehensive as ACA-compliant major medical plans. It is typically used to fill gaps between more comprehensive policies. For example, a short-term plan can provide temporary minimum health coverage if you are waiting for coverage to begin at a new job.
If you are a Minnesota resident seeking health insurance, you may want to consider the following alternatives to short-term health insurance:
- ACA Marketplace Plans: You can explore options through the ACA Marketplace. Even outside the Open Enrollment period, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period under certain circumstances.
- Medicaid: Check if you qualify for Medicaid, which offers comprehensive coverage based on your income level.
- Medical Assistance (MA): You may qualify for MA even if you have other health insurance, including Medicare coverage. MA may also help pay your health insurance premium.
- MinnesotaCare: However, you cannot qualify for MinnesotaCare if you are enrolled or can enroll in Medicare.
It is important to note that short-term health insurance plans in Minnesota, when they were still available, were non-renewable and could not last more than 185 days (approximately six months). Additionally, you could be denied a short-term plan based on your age, medical history, or your family's medical history.
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Minnesota's two standard Medicare supplement policies
Minnesota offers two standard Medicare supplement policies, known as "basic" and "extended basic". The "extended basic" policy is more comprehensive than the basic option. These policies are also known as Medigap policies, and they are designed to fill in the gaps in your Medicare coverage. Medigap policies are available in Minnesota as Plans K, L, M, and N. Minnesota versions of high-deductible Plan F are also available to people who had or were eligible for Medicare before 1 January 2020.
Medigap policies are standardized, meaning that policies with the same letter offer the same basic benefits, regardless of location or insurance company. However, Minnesota is one of three states where Medigap policies are standardized differently. It is important to be aware of illegal practices by insurance companies when shopping for a Medigap policy.
Medigap policies can be purchased to help pay for out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare. You can only buy Medigap if you have Original Medicare, which means you must have signed up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You do not need a Medigap policy if you are covered by a Medicare Advantage plan.
In Minnesota, you may qualify for Medical Assistance (MA) even if you have other health insurance, including Medicare coverage. MA may pay your premium, depending on the policy. Minnesota does not allow short-term health insurance, so you will need to explore other alternatives such as ACA Marketplace Plans or Medicaid.
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Minnesota's Senior LinkAge Line
Minnesota offers a variety of health insurance options for seniors, including Medicare, Medigap, and Medical Assistance (MA).
The Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line® is a free telephone and referral service for seniors and their families, providing assistance with health insurance and Medicare-related questions. The service is provided by the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with local agencies and can be reached at 1-800-333-2433.
The Senior LinkAge Line® is also Minnesota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), offering information, counselling, and public education about health insurance. They can help seniors locate lower-cost prescription drugs and understand their insurance options, including Medigap policies, which are standardized differently in Minnesota and offer basic benefits.
For those with very low incomes, Medical Assistance (MA) is available to pay for medical care. MA can help pay for services that Medicare does not cover, and there are special programs to assist with Medicare costs like premiums, deductibles, and copays. LTC Partnership insurance policyholders may be able to keep assets equal to the amount paid for their long-term care if they apply for MA.
It's important to note that Minnesota does not allow short-term health insurance, so residents must explore other alternatives such as ACA Marketplace Plans or Medicaid. Seniors can also contact Health Care Consumer Support at 651-297-3862 or 800-657-3672 for general insurance questions and to determine their eligibility for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. Additionally, MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, where individuals can shop, compare, and choose health insurance coverage that suits their needs.
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Minnesota's health insurance complaint process
Minnesota offers seniors several health insurance options, including Medicare, Medicaid, and short-term health insurance alternatives. The state also has its own health insurance programs, such as Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare, which are available to seniors who meet certain eligibility requirements.
Now, when it comes to the complaint process for health insurance in Minnesota, there are several avenues that individuals can take, depending on the nature of the complaint and the type of health plan involved. Here is a step-by-step guide to the complaint process:
- Identify the Type of Health Plan: The first step is to determine the type of health plan you have. Are you covered by a health maintenance organization (HMO), an insurance company, a self-insured plan, or a non-government self-insured group? This information can typically be found on your insurance card or policy documents.
- Contact the Appropriate Authority:
- For HMO-related complaints: Contact the Minnesota Department of Health, Managed Care Systems section. You can initiate the complaint process by phone (651-201-5100 or 1-800-657-3916) or by downloading and completing the HMO Complaint Form, which can be mailed or emailed to the MDH.
- For insurance company-related complaints: Contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Response Team by phone (651-539-1600 or 1-800-657-3602) or mail (Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Helpline, 85 7th Place East, Suite 280, St. Paul, MN 55101).
- For self-insured plan complaints: If your self-insured plan uses a third-party administrator, you can direct your complaint to the Minnesota Department of Commerce using the contact information provided above.
- For complaints about specific healthcare professionals: Contact the appropriate regulatory board, such as the Board of Optometry or the Board of Medical Practice.
- File an Internal Appeal or Complaint: If your complaint is related to a specific decision or action taken by your HMO, you have the right to initiate an internal appeal or complaint process with the HMO's Member Services Department. This can be done via phone or written communication, and there is no cost to initiate this process.
- Request an External Review: If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your internal appeal or complaint, you may request an external review by filing a written request with the Minnesota Department of Health (for HMOs) or the Minnesota Department of Commerce (for insurance companies). There is a $25 filing fee for external appeals, but this fee may be waived in cases of financial hardship. During the external review process, you may submit additional documents and arguments to support your case.
- Appeal to Regulatory or Government Agencies: If your complaint remains unresolved or you wish to escalate it further, you can reach out to regulatory or government agencies. For example, the United States Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) regulates self-insured plans. However, note that Minnesota does not have the authority to directly regulate self-insured plans.
- Special Cases: There are also specific processes for complaints related to nursing homes and long-term care. For complaints about a nursing home, contact the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center at 844-880-1574 (toll-free). If you have a qualified long-term care Partnership policy and apply for MA, you may be able to retain assets equal to the amount that your Partnership insurance has paid for your long-term care.
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Frequently asked questions
Senior LinkAge Line® is a service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota's area agencies on aging. It is a non-profit telephone and referral service that is free to seniors and their families. They assist seniors with health insurance or Medicare-related questions and help seniors and others locate lower-cost prescription drugs.
Minnesota does not offer short-term health insurance. However, Minnesota does have a health insurance marketplace called MNsure where individuals and families can shop, compare, and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. Minnesota also offers Medical Assistance (MA) which pays for medical care for very low-income Minnesotans. MA may also pay your health insurance premium.
Medical Assistance (MA) is a program that pays for medical care for very low-income Minnesotans. MA is funded by federal and state dollars. You may qualify for MA even if you have other health insurance, including Medicare coverage. MA can help pay for services that Medicare does not cover, such as Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays.
