Why South Dakota Residents Choose Medigap Over Medicare Advantage

South Dakota has one of the lowest Medicare Advantage penetration rates in the country at roughly 20%. That means 8 out of 10 Medicare beneficiaries in South Dakota stick with Original Medicare and rely on Medigap plans to fill the coverage gaps. With a sparse population spread across rural areas, many South Dakotans find that Medigap’s freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider — without network restrictions or referral requirements — makes more practical sense than Medicare Advantage plans with limited provider networks.

For South Dakota residents on Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement plan covers out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that would otherwise come straight from your wallet. The two most popular options are Plan G (most comprehensive) and Plan N (lower premiums with small copays).

Plan G vs. Plan N in South Dakota: Which Is Right for You?

Both Plan G and Plan N cover the big-ticket items — Part A hospital costs, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and Part B coinsurance. The key differences:

Coverage	Plan G	Plan N
Part A Hospital Coinsurance	✅ 100%	✅ 100%
Part B Coinsurance	✅ 100%	✅ 100% (with copays)
Part B Excess Charges	✅ Covered	❌ Not Covered
Part A Deductible	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Skilled Nursing Coinsurance	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Foreign Travel Emergency	✅ 80%	✅ 80%
Office Visit Copay	None	Up to $20
ER Copay (no admission)	None	Up to $50

Bottom line: Plan G gives you the most predictable costs — you only pay the annual Part B deductible ($257) and your monthly premium. Plan N saves you on premiums but adds small copays at the doctor’s office and ER. For South Dakota residents who see their doctor frequently, Plan G often works out cheaper overall.

Medicare Plan G Rates in South Dakota by Carrier

Plan G premiums in South Dakota vary significantly by carrier. The average monthly premium is approximately $163.94, but rates range from around $118 to over $400 depending on your age, gender, and tobacco use. Here are typical Plan G rates for a 65-year-old non-tobacco female:

Insurance Carrier	Monthly Premium (Est.)	Rating Method
Mutual of Omaha	$118 – $145	Attained-Age
United American	$130 – $155	Attained-Age
Aetna	$135 – $160	Attained-Age
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SD	$140 – $170	Attained-Age
Cigna	$145 – $175	Attained-Age
Humana	$150 – $180	Attained-Age
ManhattanLife	$155 – $185	Attained-Age

Rates are approximate and vary by age, gender, zip code, and tobacco use. Call 1-888-781-6026 for an exact quote in your area.

Medicare Plan N Rates in South Dakota

Plan N premiums run lower than Plan G across the board. Here are typical Plan N rates for a 65-year-old non-tobacco female in South Dakota:

Insurance Carrier	Monthly Premium (Est.)	Rating Method
Mutual of Omaha	$85 – $110	Attained-Age
United American	$95 – $120	Attained-Age
Aetna	$100 – $125	Attained-Age
Blue Cross Blue Shield of SD	$105 – $130	Attained-Age
Cigna	$110 – $135	Attained-Age
Humana	$115 – $140	Attained-Age

Rates are approximate and vary by age, gender, zip code, and tobacco use. Call 1-888-781-6026 for an exact quote.

How South Dakota Regulates Medigap Pricing

South Dakota allows attained-age rating for Medigap plans, which means your premium is based on your current age and increases as you get older. Key regulatory points:

• Rating method: Attained-age (premiums increase with age)
• Open Enrollment Period: 6-month federal OEP when you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 — guaranteed issue, no health questions
• Under-65 access: South Dakota requires insurers to offer Medigap plans to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 who qualify due to disability
• Medigap Select: South Dakota offers Medigap Select plans through networks like Avera Health and Sanford Health at lower premiums
• Oversight: South Dakota Division of Insurance regulates all Medigap plans and rate increases

Top Medigap Insurance Companies in South Dakota

• Mutual of Omaha — Consistently competitive rates, strong financial rating
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Dakota (Wellmark) — Local presence, wide provider acceptance
• United American Insurance — Popular for competitive Plan G and Plan N rates
• Aetna — National carrier with competitive pricing in SD
• Cigna — Strong supplemental coverage options
• Humana — Well-known brand with Medigap offerings in SD

Medicare Supplement Costs by City in South Dakota

City	Avg. Plan G Premium	Avg. Plan N Premium
Sioux Falls	$140 – $175	$95 – $125
Rapid City	$145 – $180	$100 – $130
Aberdeen	$135 – $170	$90 – $120
Brookings	$138 – $172	$92 – $122
Watertown	$137 – $170	$92 – $120
Mitchell	$135 – $168	$90 – $118
Pierre	$140 – $175	$95 – $125

Get Your Free South Dakota Medicare Supplement Quote

Finding the right Medicare Supplement plan in South Dakota does not have to be complicated. Our licensed agents compare rates from all major carriers to find you the best coverage at the lowest price.

Call 1-888-781-6026 for a free, no-obligation quote. We will compare Plan G and Plan N rates from every carrier in South Dakota and help you choose the best option for your needs and budget.