Haris Ashley
Minnesota offers a range of health insurance plans, including Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The cheapest option depends on your income and expected health care needs. Silver plans are the most popular as they strike a balance between costs and coverage. For those seeking the cheapest plan, the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan by UCare Minnesota stands out at $302 per month. However, if you're young and healthy, a Bronze plan may be ideal, offering lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs. Gold plans provide the best coverage but are the most expensive. The Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan is the cheapest Gold plan at $372 per month.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheapest Silver plan | UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan by UCare Minnesota ($302 per month) |
| Cheapest Silver plan provider | HealthPartners ($347 per month) |
| Cheapest Gold plan | Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan ($372 per month) |
| Cheapest Bronze plan | N/A |
| Cheapest plan for low income | Silver plan (for individuals earning less than $38,000 per year or a family of four earning less than $78,000 per year) |
| Cheapest plan for low income (below 200% of the federal poverty level) | Premium-free or very low-cost Basic Health Program coverage |
| Cheapest plan for low income (below 250% of the federal poverty level) | Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) |
| Cheapest plan for retirees | UCare Individual & Family Plans |
| Cheapest plan for self-employed | UCare Individual & Family Plans |
| Cheapest plan for employees receiving an allowance for health insurance | UCare Individual & Family Plans |
| Place to get financial help to lower the cost of insurance | MNsure |
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What You'll Learn
Silver plans: the right balance of coverage for most people
Silver health insurance plans in Minnesota offer a middle ground between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. They are ideal for individuals and families who expect moderate healthcare needs. Silver plans are the most popular with consumers due to their balance between costs and coverage.
The cost of a Silver plan from MNsure, Minnesota's state marketplace, is $451 per month. HealthPartners also offers Silver plans starting at $347 per month. The cheapest Silver plan in Minnesota is the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan by UCare Minnesota, which costs $302 per month.
Silver plans are the only plan tier that has discounts to lower the cost of medical care for people with low incomes. These discounts are called cost-sharing reductions, and they make deductibles, copays, and coinsurance levels lower. 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 coinsurance.
If you make less than about $38,000 as a single person or less than $78,000 for a family of four, consider buying a Silver plan. If you expect to need expensive medical care or are managing a chronic illness, you may want to consider a Gold plan, which will give you the best coverage. However, if you are young or healthy, you may be able to save money by choosing a Bronze plan and paying more when you need medical treatment.
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Gold plans: for those expecting high medical expenses
If you expect to need expensive medical care or are managing a chronic illness, a Gold plan will give you the best coverage. Gold plans are ideal if you go to the doctor often, need costly treatments, or anticipate requiring a pricey procedure like surgery in the next year. They are the most expensive policies offered in Minnesota, but they also pay for the largest share of your medical expenses.
Gold plans in Minnesota have a deductible of $1,486 on average, which is significantly lower than other plan tiers. This lower deductible means that the plan's full benefits will kick in sooner. Gold plans are also a good option if you prefer lower out-of-pocket expenses when receiving care.
The most affordable Gold plan in Minnesota is the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan, offered by Medica at a monthly cost of $372. Other affordable Gold plans include the North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Gold Copay $0 Plus HSA from Medica ($378 per month) and the UCare M Health Fairview Gold from UCare Minnesota ($379 per month).
If you make less than about $38,000 as a single person or less than $78,000 for a family of four, you may want to consider a Silver plan instead. Silver plans are the most popular with consumers due to their balance between costs and coverage. Silver is the only plan tier that has discounts to lower the cost of medical care for people with low incomes. These discounts, called cost-sharing reductions, make your deductible, copays, and coinsurance levels lower, so you pay less when you go to the doctor.
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Bronze plans: cheaper monthly premiums, but higher out-of-pocket costs
When it comes to health insurance in Minnesota, there are several categories of plans, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. These plans differ in terms of their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Bronze plans typically have the lowest monthly premiums, making them ideal for those looking to reduce monthly expenses. However, it's important to note that Bronze plans come with higher out-of-pocket costs, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
For instance, in 2021, the average lowest-cost Bronze plan was $328 per month before any subsidies. In contrast, a Silver plan from Health Partners in 2025 starts at $347 per month, and the cheapest Gold plan in Minnesota, the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan, is available for $372 per month. These higher-tier plans offer more coverage and lower out-of-pocket expenses.
The higher out-of-pocket costs associated with Bronze plans make them more suitable for individuals who are generally healthy and do not anticipate frequent visits to the doctor. Despite having to pay more out of pocket for medical services, Bronze plans can be a cost-effective option for those who rarely need medical care. This is because the lower monthly premiums result in overall lower costs for individuals who only require basic healthcare services.
It's worth noting that all Bronze plans must include at least 10 essential benefits, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. These benefits include prescription drugs, pediatric services (dental, vision, and medical coverage), preventive care, wellness services, and chronic disease management. While Bronze plans may have higher out-of-pocket costs, they still provide coverage for a range of essential healthcare needs.
When considering a Bronze plan, it's important to weigh your expected healthcare needs against the potential costs. If you anticipate requiring frequent medical care, visiting specialists, or undergoing expensive procedures, a higher-tier plan with more comprehensive coverage may be more suitable. However, if you are generally healthy and do not expect to incur high medical expenses, a Bronze plan can be a cost-effective option, ensuring that you still have access to essential healthcare services when needed.
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MNsure: Minnesota's state marketplace
MNsure is Minnesota's official health insurance marketplace, where five private insurers offer health insurance policies. MNsure is the only place to get financial help to lower the cost of insurance. Most Minnesotans qualify for financial help, and certified assisters can help you apply and enrol in person, over the phone, or by virtual meeting.
MNsure offers a range of plan options, including Silver, Gold, and Bronze. Silver plans are the most popular with consumers due to their balance between costs and coverage. They are ideal for individuals and families who expect moderate healthcare needs. Silver plans are also the only plan tier that has discounts to lower the cost of medical care for people with low incomes. These discounts are called cost-sharing reductions, and they make your deductible, copays, and coinsurance levels lower, so you pay less when you visit the doctor.
If you expect to need expensive medical care or are managing a chronic illness, a Gold plan will be the best option, as it will provide the best coverage and lower your out-of-pocket maximums. However, Gold plans have higher monthly premiums.
Bronze plans are worth considering if you are young or healthy, as they have the lowest monthly premiums. However, they also have higher out-of-pocket costs.
MNsure plans are sometimes called "Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans" or "Obamacare plans". People in Minnesota can also sign up for MinnesotaCare or income-based Medical Assistance (Medicaid) through MNsure.
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UCare: Individual and Family Plans across Minnesota
UCare offers Individual and Family Plans with some of the lowest rates across most of Minnesota. UCare is a top choice for individuals and families, offering robust coverage through one of the largest networks available in the state. This means that you can keep your doctor and save more by easily seeing in-network providers.
UCare offers valuable member perks, such as savings on gym memberships and healthy groceries. They also provide a wide range of plans and coverage levels to suit your lifestyle and budget. Many Minnesotans are eligible for financial help on their premiums, with the average household saving more than $500 each month. UCare's plans are powered by people passionate about making it simpler for you to take care of your health.
UCare offers a range of plan options, so you can choose one that fits just right for you and your family. They offer support every step of the way, making the process as simple and easy as possible. You can enrol online or by phone, and they can answer your questions or walk you through the enrolment process step by step.
The right plan for you will depend on your budget and how you like to manage your health. UCare offers plans across the Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, with varying monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. For example, the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan is the cheapest Silver plan in Minnesota at $302 per month. Silver plans are popular due to their balance between costs and coverage.
Gold plans offer the highest coverage and lowest out-of-pocket costs but come with higher monthly premiums. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.
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Frequently asked questions
The cheapest Gold plan in Minnesota is the Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold Copay plan, available for $372 monthly from Medica. The cheapest Silver plan is the UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA plan by UCare Minnesota, which costs $302 per month. The Bronze plan typically has the lowest monthly premiums, but Silver plans are the most popular with consumers due to their balance between costs and coverage.
The best health insurance plan for you depends on how much medical care you expect to need in the upcoming year. If you expect to need expensive medical care or are managing a chronic illness, choose a Gold plan, which will give you the best coverage but is the most expensive. If you're young or healthy, it's usually worth choosing a Bronze plan and paying more when you need medical treatment. Silver plans provide the right balance of coverage for most people.
You can buy a health insurance plan from MNsure, Minnesota's state marketplace, between November 1 and January 15 every year. Plans from MNsure are sometimes called "Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans" or "Obamacare plans". Most Minnesota residents are eligible to enroll in individual/family coverage through MNsure, and many qualify for financial help.
