Medicare is a government-sponsored health insurance plan available in North Dakota to people ages 65 years and older or those with certain health conditions or disabilities.

From Original Medicare to drug coverage and Advantage plans, Medicare has a range of plans and coverage options in North Dakota to suit your budget and your healthcare needs.

This article reviews all of the Medicare plan options for residents of North Dakota, including what to consider when choosing a plan, plan eligibility, and how to enroll.

2025 Medicare trends in North Dakota

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported the following information on Medicare trends in North Dakota for the 2025 plan year:

  • A total of 146,837 residents of North Dakota are enrolled in Medicare.
  • The average Medicare Advantage monthly premium increased from $44.79 in 2024 to $49.67 in 2025.
  • There are 29 Medicare Advantage plans available in North Dakota for 2025.
  • All North Dakota residents with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan, including plans with $0 premiums.
  • There are 10 Medigap plans offered in North Dakota for 2025. Plan C and F are no longer available to new Medicare members

When considering your options for Medicare plans in North Dakota, you’ll first have to decide on the level of coverage you need.

In North Dakota, you have two main options for Medicare coverage: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare is managed by the federal government, while Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies.

You can also choose to add Medicare Part D (drug coverage) and/or Medicare supplement coverage (Medigap) to your Medicare plan.

Original Medicare

Original Medicare plans in North Dakota provide government-funded health insurance for hospital and medical care. Original Medicare can be divided into Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

Original Medicare coverage includes:

Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A when they turn 65 years old.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. You may purchase a Medicare Part D plan from Medicare or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans in North Dakota are offered by private insurance carriers, and they provide more extensive healthcare coverage than Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plan coverage includes:

Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota are all provided by private insurance carriers. Each carrier offers unique insurance plans with different coverage options and premium rates.

The carriers listed below offer Medicare-approved Part C plans to residents of North Dakota:

Providers and plans vary by county, so when searching for Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota, make sure you’re looking only at the ones available in your zip code and county.

Medicare supplement plans

Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans in North Dakota are offered by private insurance carriers. They cover out-of-pocket costs like copays and coinsurance that Original Medicare plans don’t.

You may not purchase both Part C and Medigap. You must be enrolled in Original Medicare and may choose either Part C or Medigap.

Many companies offer Medigap plans in North Dakota. Some of the companies offering Medigap plans throughout the state include:

With so many coverage options — and both government and private plans to choose from — it’ll take some time to weigh your options, compare plans, and find one that balances your healthcare needs and your current budget.

Here are some steps you can follow:

  1. Start your search by using your zip code when looking for prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans in North Dakota. This way, you won’t waste your time reading the fine print for plans that aren’t even offered in your county.
  2. Next, call your doctor’s office. Most physicians will accept Original Medicare coverage but work with only a handful of private insurance providers. Find out which carriers they accept.
  3. Third, make a complete list of all your prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you’re considering a Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Part D plan, check this list against the list of medications covered by each plan.
  4. By now, you should have a short list of plans to choose from. Find out what plan members thought of each plan by checking its star rating. In the star rating system, members rate their plan on a scale of 1 to 5 based on plan responsiveness, member complaints, and customer service, among other categories. Aim to choose a plan with a 4-star rating or higher, if possible.

You need to meet only a couple of eligibility criteria for Medicare plans in North Dakota:

  • you must be 65 years old or over
  • you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident of the United States

If you’re under the age of 65 years, you may still be eligible for Medicare if:

When can you enroll in North Dakota’s Medicare?

If you receive Social Security retirement benefits, you’ll most likely be automatically enrolled in Medicare when you turn 65 years old. You may also be automatically enrolled at the start of your 25th month on SSDI if you’re a younger adult with a disability.

If you aren’t automatically enrolled in Medicare, you can sign up at certain times during the year. The following enrollment periods are available:

  • Initial enrollment period: If you’re eligible for Medicare at 65 years old, you can sign up during the 7-month initial enrollment period. This period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 years, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after your birthday month.
  • Medicare open enrollment period: If you have Medicare, you can make changes to your coverage between October 15 and December 7 every year. This includes joining a Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Medicare Advantage open enrollment period: Between January 1 and March 31 every year, people with Medicare Advantage plans can change their coverage. At this time, you can switch to a new Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.
  • Special enrollment periods: You can sign up at other times of the year if you experience certain life events, such as losing your employer-based health plan or volunteering in a foreign country.

If you’d like to access additional resources about Medicare plans in North Dakota, you can contact your local state organizations at any time. Here are some to keep in mind:

  • The State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program: The SHIC program will give you free counseling about Medicare or other health insurance coverage. You can call SHIC at 888-575-6611.
  • Department of Adults and Aging Services: Contact Adults and Aging Services (855-462-5465) to learn more about assisted living, home care, and long-term care.
  • North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol: The Medicare Patrol detects and prevents Medicare fraud and abuse through outreach, education, and counseling. You can reach the Medicare Patrol at 800-233-1737.

If you’re approaching 65 years old or you’re about to retire, you have a number of different Medicare options to choose from. You can sign up for Original Medicare (parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). A number of private insurance companies in North Dakota offer Medicare Advantage plans.

You can also decide whether to add Medicare Part D (drug coverage) to your plan. There are also several Medigap plan options if you live in North Dakota and are looking for additional coverage. But it’s worth noting that you cannot have a Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Take time to compare the Medicare plans in North Dakota to find the one that will best meet your healthcare and budget needs. You can always contact Medicare, the plan carrier, or your local SHIC counselor for advice on plans or to begin the enrollment process once you’ve decided on a plan.