Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Minnesota requires insurers to offer at least one Medicare Supplement plan to adults under sixty-five afflicted with disability.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

Minnesota mandates small employer continuation coverage for thirty-six months following separation.

Medicare Savings Program (premium support)

Minnesota has three Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs): For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1215, the state pays all premiums for Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Medicare Part A & Part B.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs): For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B.
Qualified Individuals (QIs): For individuals with income under $1219 or for couples with an income under $1640, the state pays premiums for Medicare Part B.

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $10,000 or be part of a couple with assets below $18,000.

High-Risk Pool
The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association is available to to Minnesota residents on the basis of HIPAA and HCTC eligibility.
http://mchamn.com/

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
The Minnesota SHIP is known as the Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line and serves both seniors and persons with disabilities under 65 with Medicare information. The Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line also works closely with the Disability Linkage Line, which serves persons with disabilities on benefits issues (with the exception of Medicare-related concerns). The Minnesota Senior Linkage Line is also the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for MN and the point of access for all inquiries about Prescription Drug assistance and Medicare Savings Programs for Minnesota as well as caregiver supports, long-term care options counseling, long-term care partnership, and home and community based services for seniors.http://www.mnaging.org/advisor/SLL_SHIP.htm

State Tax Credits for Health Insurance
Minnesota offers a one-year, non-refundable credit to individuals who haven't had coverage under a plan for at least one year and who purchase a Section 125 Plan. Eligible individuals have a household income of 1) between 275%-300% FPL with dependents or 2) between 200-275% with no dependents. The credit applies to individuals who purchase Section 125 plans and amounts to 20% of premiums paid.

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs
This program is a subsidy for Medicare Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In Minnesota in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $36.02 per month.

If you live in Minnesota, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance. They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or MediGap Plan for you.