Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) charges $642 monthly for Minnesota's cheapest health insurance policies. Counties have different plan options, so check which insurers serve your area. HealthPartners, UCare Minnesota and Medica also keep premiums low across Minnesota. But BCBS consistently beats competitors on price regardless of where you live in the state.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Minnesota (2026)
Updated: December 29, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the lowest health insurance rates in Minnesota at an average of $642 monthly across all plan types and ages.
Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the most affordable coverage for young adults, adults, seniors and PPO plans in Minnesota, while UCare Minnesota has the cheapest HMO rates and Medica offers the cheapest EPO options.
Determine your preferred coverage level, verify subsidy eligibility and get quotes from multiple insurers. Spending 30 minutes comparing options during Open Enrollment can save you hundreds each year.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Minnesota
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $642 | $26 | $7,704 | $312 |
| HealthPartners | $653 | $15 | $7,836 | $180 |
| UCare Minnesota | $664 | $4 | $7,968 | $48 |
| Medica | $720 | $52 | $8,640 | $624 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in Minnesota. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$642Average MOOP
$8,050Average Deductible
$4,080
Cheapest Minnesota Health Insurance Providers by Profile
The most affordable plan for you varies based on age, plan type preference and metal level. You should also weigh premiums against deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs.
| Teens | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $382 | $4,585 | $9,200 | $4,500 |
| Young Adults | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $440 | $5,275 | $9,200 | $4,500 |
| Adults | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $549 | $6,584 | $9,200 | $4,500 |
| Seniors | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,165 | $13,981 | $9,200 | $4,500 |
| PPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $549 | $6,584 | $9,200 | $4,500 |
| HMO | UCare Minnesota | $552 | $6,624 | $9,412 | $4,368 |
| EPO | Medica | $601 | $7,207 | $9,620 | $3,124 |
| With Health Savings Account Eligibility | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $504 | $6,043 | $7,900 | $3,400 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest Minnesota Health Insurance by Metal Level
Metal tiers set the split between what you pay monthly and what you pay per visit. Bronze premiums stay lowest but you'll pay more out-of-pocket each doctor visit. Pick Bronze only if you rarely need medical care. Gold or Platinum make sense when you see doctors frequently since per-visit costs drop even though monthly bills climb.
Blue Cross Blue Shield runs $458 monthly for Minnesota's cheapest Bronze plans and $565 for Gold. Silver falls between these. Minnesota doesn't sell Platinum coverage, so Gold represents your highest available tier with the most comprehensive per-visit benefits despite costing $107 more monthly than Bronze.
| Bronze | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $458 | $5,496 | $9,733 | $7,538 |
| Silver | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $504 | $6,043 | $7,900 | $3,400 |
| Gold | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $565 | $6,782 | $5,600 | $3,400 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap Minnesota Health Insurance Plans
Find the cheapest health insurance option in Minnesota that matches your needs:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| UCare Minnesota | UCare M Health Fairview Silver | $439 | HMO | Silver | $9,600 | $4,250 | 40 | No |
| UCare Minnesota | UCare Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay | $557 | HMO | Silver | $9,200 | $4,500 | 40 | No |
| UCare Minnesota | UCare Silver | $561 | HMO | Silver | $9,600 | $4,250 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Minnesota
Follow these steps to identify affordable coverage that fits your health care needs.
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your ideal type of plan and metal tier depends on your health status and financial situation. Calculate your monthly premium budget, then assess your current health needs and risk factors like age, lifestyle and location to determine appropriate coverage levels.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Subsidy eligibility for 2026 health insurance depends on your household size and income. Financial assistance is available for incomes ranging from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Higher subsidies go to lower-income households.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you qualify
Minnesota residents who qualify should research Medicare and Medicaid options, including Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans. These federal programs often cost less than marketplace plans while offering greater provider flexibility.
- 4Verify prescription coverage
Check each plan's formulary for medications you take regularly. Insurance companies tier drugs differently, and some place common prescriptions in lower-cost tiers with smaller copays than their competitors offer.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment period
The Open Enrollment window runs November 1 through January 15 each year. You can also enroll during Special Enrollment if you experience job loss, divorce or have a baby. Compare coverage types, insurer ratings, total costs and whether your preferred doctors accept the plan.
- 6Review Minnesota-specific options
Minnesota offers unique insurance programs and state-based marketplace features. Research MNsure, the state's official health insurance marketplace, which may provide local assistance programs.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Minnesota: Bottom Line
Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners and UCare Minnesota charge Minnesota's lowest health insurance premiums. Don't just pick based on this list. Call each insurer directly for quotes in Bronze through Gold tiers to calculate your actual annual costs including deductibles.
Cheap Minnesota Health Insurance: FAQ
We answer frequently asked questions about affordable health insurance in Minnesota:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Minnesota?
Blue Cross Blue Shield offers the most affordable health insurance in Minnesota, with Silver plans averaging $642 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap health insurance plans come with high deductibles, often $5,000 to $8,000 annually, and limited provider networks that may force you to switch doctors or pay expensive out-of-network rates.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Minnesota?
Yes, you may qualify for health insurance subsidies in Minnesota. Subsidies lower your monthly premiums through MNsure, Minnesota's official health insurance marketplace. Eligibility depends on your household income and size. Apply through MNsure to see if you qualify and how much you could save on coverage.
When can I enroll in health insurance in Minnesota?
Minnesota's Open Enrollment for health insurance runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. You can enroll outside of this time if you experience a qualifying life event like marriage, job loss or having a baby, which triggers a Special Enrollment Period.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Minnesota
We gathered plan information from MNsure for consumers aged 18 to 60, specifically examining costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds. Our overall cheapest rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums, as this age group is the most common demographically and provides a clear comparison.
Age-specific cheapest options reflect their respective premium costs. Lower premiums often come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which could increase your costs when receiving care.
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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.