Updated: January 22, 2026
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Minnesota has 37 Medicare Advantage plans available from eight different providers, with premiums ranging from $0 to $236.
Top Medicare Advantage providers in Minnesota include UnitedHealthcare for PPO plans, Quartz Medicare Advantage for HMO and Medica for HMO-POS.
When searching for the best Minnesota Medicare Advantage companies, focus on provider networks that match your preferred doctors, cover your prescription medications and fit comfortably within your monthly budget.
Minnesota Medicare Advantage plans are available in a range of coverage options. We evaluated the best Medicare Advantage providers in Minnesota by plan type, focusing on CMS star ratings, premiums and maximum out-of-pocket limits.
Quartz Medicare Advantage has the best HMO plans in the state, with a 4-star CMS rating, $71 average monthly premium and $5,075 average maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. Medica has the best HMO-POS plans, while UnitedHealthcare provides the best PPO options.
| HMO | Quartz Medicare Advantage | 4.00 | $71 | $5,075 | Gundersen MN Quartz Med Advantage Value D (w/Rx) (HMO) |
| HMO-POS | Medica | 3.50 | $0 | $6,750 | Medica Advantage Solution H6154-001 (HMO-POS) |
| PPO | UnitedHealthcare | 4.50 | $42 | $6,500 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC FG-0001 (PPO) |
Medicare Advantage Plans Explained
Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits like dental, vision, and wellness services that Original Medicare doesn't cover. Private insurance companies provide these plans while covering all your Part A and Part B services in one package.
Best HMO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best HMO-POS
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Best PPO
CMS Star Rating
Plan Types
Quartz Medicare Advantage is the sole HMO Medicare Advantage provider in Minnesota, offering four plans with solid 4.0-star ratings. One plan has $0 monthly premiums, and the portfolio averages $5,075 in maximum out-of-pocket costs, delivering reliable coverage and prescription benefits for state residents.
HMO Medicare Advantage plans require you to stay within a provider network and get referrals for specialists. But you'll pay lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs while getting coordinated care through your primary doctor. These plans suit people who prefer having their primary care physician manage their health care.
Medica is the only HMO-POS Medicare Advantage provider in Minnesota, offering a single plan with $0 monthly premiums and a maximum out-of-pocket limit of $6,750. The plan provides out-of-network access for added flexibility, includes enhanced Part D prescription coverage, and carries a 3.5-star CMS rating.
HMO-POS plans give you affordable premiums similar to standard HMOs while letting you visit out-of-network providers when needed, though out-of-network care costs more. This hybrid approach works well if you want coordinated care through a primary doctor but need flexibility to see specialists outside your network.
Minnesota’s PPO Medicare Advantage plans offer broader network access but come with higher costs than more restrictive alternatives. The state has 31 PPO plans from seven providers, averaging $70 per month, though six plans charge $0. Maximum out-of-pocket limits average $5,195 and range from $3,000 to $9,250 due to out-of-network care. Star ratings average 4.0, with 14 plans earning 4.5 stars. All plans include enhanced Part D prescription coverage, and 30 of 31 waive deductibles on select medication tiers.
| UnitedHealthcare | 4.50 | $42 | $6,500 | 6 | 5.00 |
| HealthPartners | 4.50 | $61 | $5,275 | 4 | 4.25 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | 4.50 | $112 | $4,605 | 4 | 4.24 |
| Align powered by Sanford Health Plan | 3.00 | $47 | $3,900 | 2 | 4.21 |
| Humana | 3.50 | $43 | $6,675 | 4 | 4.06 |
| Medica | 3.50 | $83 | $5,544 | 6 | 3.62 |
If you travel often, have specific doctors you want to keep, or prefer seeing specialists without getting permission first, PPO Medicare Advantage plans might be worth the extra cost. These plans let you visit any Medicare-approved doctor without referral requirements and give you access to both in-network and out-of-network care. You'll pay higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums.
The best Medicare Advantage plan for you in Minnesota depends on your specific doctors, prescription medications and total healthcare budget.
Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your current doctors, specialists and hospitals are in-network. In Minnesota, plans may differ between HMO and PPO networks. Learn more about health insurance network types.
The maximum out-of-pocket cost represents the most you'll pay for covered services. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 MOOP could cost more than one with a $29 premium and $6,750 MOOP if you need frequent medical care.
Check that your medications appear on the plan's drug formulary and understand their tier placement, which affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage, though some require separate enrollment. Verify there aren't any restrictions or prior authorization requirements for your medicine.
Medicare Advantage plans often offer dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness center memberships and transportation to medical appointments. These supplemental benefits can provide value and enhance your overall health care experience.
Review the plan's CMS star rating, which measures quality and performance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Higher ratings indicate better customer service, care coordination, and health outcomes. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars generally deliver superior performance.
Medicare Advantage costs in Minnesota vary by plan type and network flexibility. HMO plans have a median monthly premium of $50 and the lowest average out-of-pocket maximum at $5,075. HMO-POS plans offer $0 median premiums but higher MOOP at $6,750. PFFS plans cost $37 monthly with the highest MOOP at $6,800. PPO plans carry the highest median premiums at $54, while maintaining a reasonable average MOOP of $5,196. These differences reflect the trade-offs between monthly costs and annual maximum spending.
| HMO | $50 | $71 | $5,075 |
| HMO-POS | $0 | $0 | $6,750 |
| PFFS | $37 | $37 | $6,800 |
| PPO | $54 | $71 | $5,196 |
Get answers about Minnesota Medicare Advantage plans:
In Minnesota, you can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from Jan. 1 to March 31. You may also qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you move or lose other coverage.
Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier placement, since higher tiers result in increased copay amounts at the pharmacy.
Moving within Minnesota may require switching plans since Medicare Advantage networks are location-specific. Contact your insurer within 30 days to confirm coverage in your new county. If your current plan isn't available, you'll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to select new coverage.
MoneyGeek assessed Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota using a scoring system:
These factors create a fair comparison of Medicare Advantage plans, weighing costs against care quality and service.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
