The Cheapest (and Best) Health Insurance in Duluth, MN (2024)

The cost of health insurance depends on several factors, including your age, plan type and the insured person's medical history and needs. To help you identify the most affordable health insurance plans in Duluth, MoneyGeek analyzed market data from several sources. We also ranked the top Duluth health insurance providers by assessing their quality of service to policyholders, plan options and cost.

Choosing the best health insurance plan requires research and comparison since not all providers offer all plan types or metal tiers. If only one insurer is available in your area, choose the best plan for your needs.

When shopping for the best health insurance company in Minnesota, evaluate the plan options, quality of service and premiums offered by each health insurance company before making a final decision. According to MoneyGeek's analysis, UCare Minnesota is Duluth's best health insurance provider based on these factors and earned a score of 85 out of 100.

According to MoneyGeek, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota is the second-best health insurance company in Duluth, with an overall score of 79.5 out of 100. It ranked well in terms of affordability and customer service but scored lower in plan options.

The cost of health insurance in Duluth is determined by your cost-sharing arrangement with your insurer. Furthermore, premium costs differ by state and city. The best provider for you may not be the most affordable.

If affordability is your primary concern, you should familiarize yourself with the marketplace metal system, which defines standards for how much insurers may charge specific customers. Plans range from Bronze to Platinum, with variable out-of-pocket maximums (MOOPs) based on premiums paid.

Bronze plans offer the lowest premiums but higher MOOPs, making them good for people who don’t need much care.

Plan cost examples for metal tiers in Duluth are shown below.

Some carriers offer Expanded Bronze plans. Expanded Bronze plans cover at least one substantial service before the deductible is met.

Your health insurance premiums are heavily influenced by age. Health insurance companies expect that their elderly customers will have more medical expenses and, therefore, charge higher rates.

The least expensive health insurance policies are either Bronze or Expanded Bronze. If you're interested in purchasing one of these plans, make sure your preferred service provider is in the insurer’s network so that you don’t have to pay out of pocket.

Because there are eligibility restrictions for Catastrophic plans, they are not included in the cheapest insurer’s table below.

No single health care plan is best for every individual. You should look for a health insurance provider in Duluth that offers affordable plans that cover the services you need.

A plan with a high deductible and a cheap premium may be suitable if you don't anticipate needing medical services in a given year. If you anticipate requiring more extensive treatment, it may be worthwhile to pay a high premium since you will spend less out of pocket.

The government provides subsidies and income-based support to make health insurance more accessible. Those earning at least 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are eligible for subsidies to cut plan costs. Generally, subsidies are restricted to 400% of the FPL, but the American Rescue Plan removed this limit for 2022, allowing more people to qualify.

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are alternatives to health insurance subsidies if you do not qualify. To qualify for Medicaid, your income must be between 100 and 150% of the FPL, depending on your state.

The least expensive health insurance plan is not necessarily the best. A low-premium plan with a large deductible could cost you more if you need regular treatment. As a result, you should strike a balance between quality and affordability.

Shopping for health insurance in Duluth can be overwhelming. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about health insurance plans in the city to help you learn more.