Around 772,000 Medicare beneficiaries choose to enroll in Minnesota Medicare Part D plans. Of this number, nearly 400,000 residents enrolled in stand-alone Part D plans, with the rest receiving coverage as part of an MAPD plan. These options provide a range of prescription medications that Original Medicare fails to cover.
Minnesota Medicare Part D plans for 2024
Medicare Part D plans to cover the costs of prescription medications. Although these medications are essential to treatment, Original Medicare does not cover these expenses. The following sections will discuss the currently available options for Minnesota Medicare Part D plans.
Part D Plans with the lowest premium in Minnesota
Regarding monthly premiums, Aetna offers the most affordable plan in the state. The premium for this plan is only $6.80 per month, making it easy to fit into any budget. The program also offers a reasonable deductible of $480, making it a solid choice.
Humana’s plan earns a four-star rating, but the monthly premium may be prohibitive for some beneficiaries. With a monthly cost of $22.70, this plan is more challenging to budget for but offers excellent service.
UnitedHealthcare is the only option for beneficiaries interested in a plan with gap coverage. The premium for this plan is relatively expensive at $29.30, but the impressively low deductible of $310 balances out the cost.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Aetna | $6.80 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Wellcare | $10.60 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Clear Spring Health | $16.60 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Humana | $22.70 | $480 | 4 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with a zero-dollar deductible
Beneficiaries willing to pay a higher monthly premium can explore zero-deductible options, the best of which is MedicareBlue. This plan has a four-star rating but requires a monthly premium of $116.
Wellcare offers a more affordable option for beneficiaries interested in zero-dollar deductible plans. This plan costs $68 per month and has a three-star rating, making it a well-balanced choice.
Finally, Aetna’s plan offers a solid balance of quality and affordability. This plan earns a three-star rating and costs $79 per month. If finding a zero-deductible plan is your priority, Aetna’s offering is worth consideration.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Wellcare | $68.90 | $0 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $79.90 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $97.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| MedicareBlue | $116.10 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with gap coverage
UnitedHealthcare offers a well-balanced Minnesota Medicare Part D plan with gap coverage. This plan has a deductible of $310 with a $29 monthly premium, allowing beneficiaries to keep monthly expenses low without high lump costs for medications.
Aetna’s plan boasts the lowest premiums for zero-deductible programs in this category. With monthly premiums of $79, this plan enables beneficiaries to protect themselves from lump costs without harming their monthly budget.
Finally, MedicareBlue offers the perfect plan for beneficiaries prioritizing quality over cost. This plan received a four-star rating and a zero-dollar deductible, but the monthly premium of $116 can be challenging to fit into the budget for many beneficiaries.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| UnitedHealthcare | $29.30 | $310 | 4 | Yes |
| Cigna | $52.00 | $100 | 3 | Yes |
| Aetna | $79.90 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | $97.00 | $0 | 3 | Yes |
| MedicareBlue | $116.10 | $0 | 4 | Yes |
Part D plans with a Low-Income Subsidy
Nearly 150,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota are eligible for a low-income subsidy for their Medicare coverage. These subsidies can ease the financial burden of healthcare, so exploring them is wise if finances are tight.
The first option that offers this subsidy is Clear Spring Health. This plan costs $29 per month with a deductible of $480. However, this plan received a two-star rating, so beneficiaries may be wary of the quality of service.
Wellcare offers a solid overall option for beneficiaries seeking a low-income subsidy. Their plan has a three-star rating and costs $32 per month. With the same $480 deductible as competing plans, Wellcare is a strong option for beneficiaries in the state.
UnitedHealthcare is the highest-rated provider to offer this subsidy. With a four-star rating, their plan is ideal for beneficiaries who want to maximize service quality. The deductible for this plan is $480, but the $36 monthly premium is slightly higher than the alternatives.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | DEDUCTIBLE | STAR RATING | GAP COVERAGE |
| Clear Spring Health | $29.30 | $480 | 2 | No |
| Wellcare | $32.90 | $480 | 3 | No |
| Aetna | $34.80 | $480 | 3 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare | $36.20 | $480 | 4 | No |
| Cigna | $39.10 | $480 | 3 | No |
Amount of beneficiaries that fall into each Part D coverage phase
Part D coverage occurs in several phases, during which the costs of medications may vary. One of these periods is the coverage gap or donut hole, and expenses may be higher during this time. The table below shows how many beneficiaries in Minnesota fall into the Part D coverage phases category.
| Deductible Phase | Initial Coverage Phase | Coverage Gap Phase | Catastrophic Phase |
| 320,604 | 252,610 | 69,624 | 50,708 |
Minnesota cities with estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement plans
Many Minnesota residents live in sizable cities with many options for Medicare Supplement plans. Here are some charts of premiums for the following ones:
FAQs
What happens if I don’t have Medicare Part D in Minnesota?
While Part D coverage is not technically required, it’s wise for most beneficiaries. Prescription drugs are integral to modern healthcare, so covering these medications should be prioritized. Additionally, choosing not to purchase a Minnesota Medicare Part D plan during your Initial Enrollment period will incur a penalty if you enroll later.
What is the most popular Medicare Part D plan in Minnesota?
The most popular Medicare Part D plan provider in Minnesota is Humana. With excellent customer service and impressive benefits, Humana’s Part D plan is a perfect option for any beneficiary in the state.
What is the average cost of a Medicare Part D plan in Minnesota?
The cost of your Medicare Part D plan in Minnesota will depend on your selected provider. The government does not standardize the prices of these plans, so be sure to shop around for options before settling on a provider.
Do you automatically get Part D with Medicare in Minnesota?
Part D coverage is not a part of automatic Medicare enrollment. Although the government enrolls most citizens when they reach 65, Original Medicare does not include Part D coverage. Therefore, purchasing a Part D plan should be one of the first things a new enrollee does after entering the Medicare program.
What are the two types of Medicare Part D plans in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, beneficiaries can choose between stand-alone Part D and MAPD plans. MAPD stands for Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan and integrates supplemental and Part D coverage into a single program.
How to get help signing up for a Medicare Part D plan in Minnesota
The Medicare system is complex, so seeking help is nothing wrong. At Medigap.com, we provide support services to beneficiaries at no cost.
Our experts work with all providers and can walk you through the process of finding the ideal Minnesota Medicare Part D plans for your budget and insurance needs.
Please fill out our web form or call us to get rates today.
