2020 Medicare in Minnesota

Minnesotans get Medicare in many ways. There’s Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost and Medicare Drugs through Part D. While 2019 brought many changes, 2020 will not. Here’s what we know.

What stays the same?
  • Medicare Advantage, Medicare Savings Program, Minnesota Senior Health Options and Minnesota Senior Care+
  • In 2020 Medicare Cost continues in the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Goodhue, Itasca, Kanabec, Koochiching, Lake, Le Sueur, McLeod, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Pine, Pipestone, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Sibley, Stevens, Traverse and Yellow Medicine
Do I need to do anything different than in the past?

You should receive your Annual Notice of Change information from your insurer just like in the past. You don’t have to do anything if you want to keep what you have now.

Why did Medicare Cost change?

The federal government made the change.

Why did it change in some counties, but not all?

The federal government determined where Medicare Cost could stay. Its decision was based on how many Medicare Advantage health insurers there were in the area and how many people were enrolled.

I can keep my Medicare Cost in 2020, but what about the next year?

That decision hasn’t been made yet by the federal government.

Help for seniors with low incomes

People with little income can get help paying for Medicare through what’s called the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP.) There are four different options and each has specific rules for qualifying. More at Minnesota DHS. More at Minnesota Senior Health Options

Get help, learn more

Learn about different types of Medicare insurance options here:  

  • Your health insurer or broker
  • Senior Linkage Line
  • Medicare.gov and click on the “Medicare & You” handbook.