Minnesota consistently ranks among the states with the lowest uninsured rates in the nation — roughly 4% to 5% of residents lack coverage, well below the national average. The state operates its own exchange, expanded Medicaid early, and runs a unique public program called MinnesotaCare that has no equivalent in most other states. If you are shopping for health insurance in Minnesota, you have more tools and programs at your disposal than residents of most states.
This guide covers MNsure marketplace plans, Medical Assistance (Medicaid), MinnesotaCare, average costs, and enrollment steps. For a broader look at how state policy choices shape insurance access and affordability, check our healthcare policy guide.
MNsure: Minnesota’s Health Insurance Exchange
MNsure is Minnesota’s state-based health insurance exchange, launched in 2013 under the ACA. All individual and family marketplace enrollment, subsidy applications, and eligibility screening for public programs happen through MNsure — not HealthCare.gov.
Carriers on MNsure include HealthPartners, Blue Plus (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota), Medica, Quartz, and UCare in select regions. Plan availability depends on your county. The Twin Cities metro area sees the strongest competition among carriers, while Greater Minnesota and northern counties may have fewer options.
MNsure also serves as the enrollment portal for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) and MinnesotaCare. When you submit an application, MNsure determines which program or plans you qualify for based on your household income and size.
Plan Tiers on MNsure
Private marketplace plans on MNsure follow the standard ACA metal tier structure.
- Bronze: Approximately 60% of average costs covered. Lowest premiums, highest deductibles.
- Silver: About 70% coverage. Qualifies for cost-sharing reductions for eligible enrollees, making it the smartest pick for many lower-income buyers.
- Gold: Roughly 80% coverage with higher premiums and lower out-of-pocket expenses.
- Platinum: About 90% coverage. The highest premiums but minimal cost-sharing at the point of care.
Catastrophic plans are offered for enrollees under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. Minnesota’s market also includes standardized plan designs that make comparison shopping more straightforward within each tier.
Average Premiums and Costs
A benchmark Silver plan in Minnesota costs approximately $420 to $510 per month for a 40-year-old before subsidies, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data. Minnesota’s premiums are generally near or slightly below the national average, reflecting relatively strong insurer competition in the metro area.
Bronze plans run about $300 to $390 monthly before subsidies. Gold plans range from $490 to $610. After premium tax credits, many enrollees pay well under $100 per month. Some qualifying Minnesotans find $0-premium Bronze plans or near-zero-cost Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions.
Deductibles vary by tier and carrier. Bronze plan deductibles in Minnesota typically fall between $6,500 and $9,100 for individuals. Silver plan deductibles range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on cost-sharing reduction eligibility. The 2026 out-of-pocket maximum is $9,450 for individuals and $18,900 for families.
Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
Minnesota expanded Medicaid under the ACA through its Medical Assistance program, covering adults with household incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level — roughly $20,783 for a single adult in 2026. Benefits include doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health services, and long-term care. There are no premiums for most enrollees.
What sets Minnesota apart is MinnesotaCare, a state-funded public program that covers individuals and families with incomes between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level. MinnesotaCare charges modest monthly premiums — often $0 to $80 depending on income — and provides comprehensive coverage including medical, dental, and prescription drug benefits.
MinnesotaCare effectively bridges the gap between Medicaid and marketplace coverage, providing a public option for residents who might otherwise face high unsubsidized premiums. Children in Minnesota qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare at higher income thresholds, ensuring broad pediatric coverage across income levels.
Both programs accept applications year-round through MNsure.
Subsidies and Financial Assistance
Premium tax credits through MNsure are available to individuals and families with incomes between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level (those below 200% are typically routed to Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare). Enhanced subsidies cap required premium contributions at 8.5% of household income for higher earners.
Cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans lower deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums for enrollees with incomes between 100% and 250% of the poverty level who are not eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.
Minnesota’s layered approach — Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, subsidized marketplace plans — means that most residents have access to some form of financial assistance. Understanding how all these costs stack up is easier with our healthcare costs guide.
How to Enroll in Health Insurance in Minnesota
Open enrollment for 2026 MNsure marketplace plans runs from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Plans selected by December 15 begin January 1. Selections made between December 16 and January 15 take effect February 1.
Enrollment steps:
- Visit MNsure.org and create or log into your account.
- Complete the application with household, income, and citizenship information.
- Review your eligibility results — MNsure will determine whether you qualify for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, or subsidized marketplace plans.
- Compare available plans by premium, deductible, provider network, and formulary.
- Select a plan and confirm enrollment. Pay your first premium to activate coverage.
Special Enrollment Periods are available outside the open enrollment window for qualifying life events including loss of coverage, marriage, birth or adoption, and relocation. Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare applications are accepted year-round.
MNsure offers free assistance through licensed navigators, certified application counselors, and insurance brokers. Phone support is available through MNsure’s contact center, and in-person help is offered at community organizations and county offices across the state.
Employer-Sponsored and Alternative Coverage
The majority of insured Minnesotans receive coverage through employers. If your employer offers affordable coverage that meets ACA minimum value standards, you generally will not qualify for MNsure subsidies. Affordability is defined as costing no more than about 8.39% of household income for employee-only coverage.
Minnesota permits short-term health insurance plans, but the state regulates these more tightly than some others. Short-term plans do not have to cover pre-existing conditions or all essential health benefits and are best suited as temporary bridge coverage. If you are weighing traditional insurance against alternative arrangements, our overview of health insurance types can help clarify the trade-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minnesota have its own health insurance exchange?
Yes. MNsure is Minnesota’s state-based exchange. All individual and family plan shopping, subsidy applications, and public program enrollment happen through MNsure.org, not HealthCare.gov.
What is MinnesotaCare?
MinnesotaCare is a state-funded program providing affordable health coverage to individuals and families with incomes between 138% and 200% of the federal poverty level. It offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage at low monthly premiums.
How much does health insurance cost in Minnesota?
A benchmark Silver plan costs roughly $420 to $510 per month for a 40-year-old before subsidies. After premium tax credits, many enrollees pay under $100 monthly. Residents below 200% of the poverty level may qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare instead.
When is open enrollment on MNsure?
Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Enrolling by December 15 ensures coverage starts January 1. Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollment is open year-round.
Who qualifies for Medical Assistance in Minnesota?
Adults with household incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level — approximately $20,783 for a single person — qualify for Medical Assistance. Children and pregnant women qualify at higher income thresholds. There are no premiums for most enrollees.
The Bottom Line
Minnesota’s multi-layered approach to coverage makes health insurance in Minnesota more accessible and affordable than in most states. Between Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, and subsidized MNsure marketplace plans, the vast majority of residents can find meaningful coverage at a manageable cost. The state’s low uninsured rate reflects these investments.
When shopping on MNsure, look beyond the premium. Compare provider networks, especially if you live in Greater Minnesota where network options can be narrower. Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions offer the strongest value for many moderate-income households, while MinnesotaCare fills a gap that marketplace subsidies alone do not cover.