Updated: May 22, 2024
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Choosing a health plan from a specific metal tier can inform your premium costs and coverage. Medica offers Minnesota's most affordable Bronze and Gold plans, while UCare Minnesota has the best-priced Silver tier plan.
If you're looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek also analyzed the best health insurance in Minnesota.
CheapestHealth InsuranceMinnesotaMost Affordable Health Insurance in Minnesota
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We downloaded plan data for Minnesota directly from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Plan data was updated with the CMS exchange data released in October, the latest available data for the 2024 enrollment period.
The UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan by UCare Minnesota stands out as the cheapest plan in the Silver tier in Minnesota at just $302 per month. Silver plans are the most popular with consumers due to their balance between costs and coverage. Those aiming to reduce monthly expenses, albeit at the cost of higher out-of-pocket payments, may consider Bronze plans instead. Remember that the selected metal tier influences health insurance costs, indicating a balance between premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier in Minnesota:
For those seeking cheap health insurance, these plans represent the lowest monthly rates within their respective categories.
| Bronze | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Copay | CompanyMedica | Monthly Cost$270 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 |
| Silver | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA | CompanyUCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$302 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$6,800 |
| Gold | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay $0 PCP + Rx Copays | CompanyMedica | Monthly Cost$372 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 |
In Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, consumers can select from various metal tiers, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each tier represents a level of coverage and has a trade-off between monthly premium costs and the out-of-pocket expenses the policyholder is responsible for paying. A Bronze plan typically has the lowest monthly premiums. However, they also have higher out-of-pocket costs. Conversely, Gold plans have higher monthly premiums but offer lower out-of-pocket expenses.
Meanwhile, Silver plans typically offer a middle ground for those balancing monthly costs with health care needs. For consumers with incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Line, cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are available on Silver plans, which reduce copays, deductibles and co-insurance, making health care more affordable.
The most cost-effective Silver plan in Minnesota is the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan offered by UCare Minnesota, with a monthly cost of $302.
The three most affordable Silver health plans available in Minnesota are:
Silver plans are ideal for consumers seeking a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They're particularly suitable for individuals and families who expect moderate health care needs. For eligible people, cost-sharing reductions can significantly decrease deductibles, copayments and co-insurance, making health care more accessible and affordable.
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$302 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$6,800 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$311 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver Copay $0 PCP + Rx Copays |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$312 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,400 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$313 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver Share |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$315 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 | PlanNorth Memorial Acclaim by Medica Silver Copay $0 PCP + Rx Copays |
The most affordable Gold tier health plan in Minnesota is the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan offered by Medica at a monthly cost of $372.
Here are the three most affordable Gold health plans in Minnesota:
Gold plans suit consumers who expect high medical expenses and prefer lower out-of-pocket costs when receiving care. They are great for individuals who want the security of comprehensive coverage with predictable payments. Gold plans often appeal to customers willing to pay higher monthly premiums for lower costs when accessing health care services.
| Medica | Monthly Cost$372 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay $0 PCP + Rx Copays |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$378 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,700 | PlanNorth Memorial Acclaim by Medica Gold Copay $0 PCP + Rx Copays |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$379 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$7,400 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Gold |
| Blue Plus | Monthly Cost$398 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$7,500 | PlanBlue Plus Metro MN Gold Prescription Copay $1100 Plan 455 |
| HealthPartners | Monthly Cost$400 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,500 | PlanSelect $2,000 w/Copay Gold |
The most affordable Bronze health plan in Minnesota is the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Copay plan from Medica, with a monthly cost of $270.
The three most affordable Bronze plans available in Minnesota include:
Bronze plans typically offer lower monthly premiums with higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. These plans may be suitable for individuals who want to keep their monthly expenses minimal and are relatively healthy, expecting to need less medical care throughout the year. Bronze plans are also popular with consumers who wish to have coverage for major health events and are comfortable with a higher deductible.
| Medica | Monthly Cost$270 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Copay |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$270 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Share Plus Metro |
| HealthPartners | Monthly Cost$271 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$7,800 | PlanSelect $7,800 HSA Bronze |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$272 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,050 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Bronze HSA |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$274 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanNorth Memorial Acclaim by Medica Bronze Copay |
The Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Catastrophic plan from Medica emerges as the cheapest Catastrophic tier option available in Minnesota with a monthly cost of $129 for a 26-year-old policyholder.
The cheapest Catastrophic plans in Minnesota include the following:
Affordable Catastrophic health plans serve individuals who want protection from worst-case medical scenarios without a substantial monthly premium. They are a good fit for young adults under 30 or those who qualify for a hardship exemption, offering minimal coverage for routine health care but safeguarding against extreme financial loss due to serious illness or injury. These plans have the advantage of low premiums, making them a cost-effective choice for those who are generally healthy and primarily concerned with having coverage for catastrophic events.
| Medica | Monthly Cost$129 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanBold by M Health Fairview and Medica Catastrophic |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$131 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanNorth Memorial Acclaim by Medica Catastrophic |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$137 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Core |
| Medica | Monthly Cost$158 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanEssentia Choice Care with Medica Catastrophic |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$174 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$9,450 | PlanUCare Core |
Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) are discounts that lower the amount you pay for deductibles, copayments and co-insurance for Silver health plans, available only to individuals and families with incomes between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level. CSRs can also lower your maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs. For instance, with CSRs, the MOOP on the Silver plan might decrease from $7,900 to $2,500, significantly reducing the limit on what you pay in a year for covered services.
In Minnesota, HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the most popular for health care coverage. The most affordable HMO plan in Minnesota is the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan from UCare Minnesota, at $302 per month.
Minnesota's cheapest available Silver plans by plan type include the following:
Besides HMO plans, Minnesotans can also choose EPO and PPO plans. These plan types cater to different needs and preferences, providing multiple health care solutions within the state.
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$302 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$6,800 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$312 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,400 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$391 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$6,800 | PlanUCare Silver HSA |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$402 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,400 | PlanUCare Silver StandardRx |
The most common plan type in Minnesota is the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. Other types of plans available in Minnesota include Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans.
Here are the main differences between these health insurance plan types:
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): HMO plans typically have lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs than other plans. They also focus on integrated care and preventive services. However, HMOs require members to choose a primary care physician (PCP) and get referrals to see specialists. Members must stay within the plan's network of providers, except in emergencies.
Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO): EPO plans allow direct access to any provider within the network without needing a referral, providing more flexibility than HMOs. Consumers should note that out-of-network care is usually only covered in emergencies with these plans, which means you have to be careful about staying within the network to avoid paying the full cost of services.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): PPOs offer considerable flexibility, allowing members to see providers without a referral. However, they still cover out-of-network providers at a lower rate than in-network services. Note that PPO plans often have higher premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. The cost of seeing out-of-network providers can also be significantly higher.
Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans can often vary by county. Comparing the most affordable Silver plans in the largest and smallest Minnesota counties by population shows this variation:
You can explore the following table to view Minnesota's most affordable Silver plans by county.
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$302 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$6,800 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA |
| UCare Minnesota | Monthly Cost$312 | Maximum Out-of-Pocket$8,400 | PlanUCare M Health Fairview Silver |
In Minnesota, age is a significant factor in health insurance pricing within metal tiers. For example, an 18-year-old with a Silver plan pays about $288 a month, while a 60-year-old with the same plan pays about $880. That's a $592 difference each month.
Metal tiers represent different levels of coverage and costs. A 40-year-old with a Bronze plan pays around $357 monthly, but it would cost them around $485 if they choose a Gold plan. This means selecting a Gold plan costs an additional $128 each month.
MoneyGeek broke down all the health insurance options in Minnesota. We explain the private insurance available in the marketplace and the different levels, like Catastrophic, Bronze, Silver and Gold. We also cover Medicaid and Medicare. Our goal is to help you understand your choices so you can make smart decisions about your health care.
In Minnesota, the open enrollment period for private health insurance typically runs from November 1 to December 15 each year. During this time, residents can shop for or change their health insurance plans through the state's marketplace, MNSure. Those who miss the enrollment deadline may have to wait until the next open enrollment unless they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to life events such as marriage, childbirth or loss of other coverage. They can enroll outside the standard open enrollment dates if eligible for SEP. Otherwise, they may have to wait until the next open enrollment period to apply for insurance coverage.
Medicaid is a health care program providing medical and health-related services to eligible low-income individuals and families. In Minnesota, eligibility for Medicaid is determined by factors including income, age, pregnancy, disability status and other criteria. It covers groups such as children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and seniors. The specific income thresholds and criteria vary and are adjusted annually. Minnesota also offers expanded coverage through the Affordable Care Act, allowing a broader range of individuals to qualify based on a higher income limit. Eligibility is assessed through state-specific guidelines that consider the Federal Poverty Level.
Medicare is a federal health care program primarily for individuals aged 65 or older, though some younger people with disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease are also eligible in Minnesota. It consists of multiple parts: Part A covers hospital insurance, while Part B provides medical insurance. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, includes all benefits and services covered under Parts A and B, sometimes including prescription drug coverage and other benefits. Part D covers prescription drugs.
For those looking for comprehensive coverage options, MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage plans in Minnesota.
When looking for health insurance, you may have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek responded to frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Minnesota to help you learn more.
The cheapest Silver plan in Minnesota is the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan provided by UCare Minnesota with a monthly cost of $302. Meanwhile, the cheapest Gold plan in Minnesota is the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan available for $372 monthly from Medica.
Although you'll pay a lower monthly premium for a cheap health insurance plan, you may pay higher out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. More expensive plans cover more comprehensive services and considerably lower your out-of-pocket maximums.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick has analyzed the property and casualty insurance market for over five years, conducting original research and creating personalized content for every kind of buyer. Currently, he leads P&C insurance content production at MoneyGeek. Fitzpatrick has been quoted in several insurance-related publications, including CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick earned a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He is passionate about using his knowledge of economics and insurance to bring transparency around financial topics and help others feel confident in their money moves.
