Health Insurance in Minnesota | OnlineHealthIns.com

Minnesota Health Insurance Guide

Minnesota runs its own marketplace, MNsure, and has expanded Medicaid alongside a distinctive Basic Health Program for near-poverty residents.

Marketplace Type	State-Based Marketplace
Medicaid Expanded	Yes
Department of Insurance	Minnesota Department of Commerce
Open Enrollment	As a State-Based Marketplace, the state sets its own open enrollment window and can extend it beyond the federal dates, so residents should confirm exact deadlines on the state exchange site each year.

Marketplace Type

State-Based Marketplace

Medicaid Expanded

Yes

Department of Insurance

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Open Enrollment

As a State-Based Marketplace, the state sets its own open enrollment window and can extend it beyond the federal dates, so residents should confirm exact deadlines on the state exchange site each year.

Minnesota operates its own state-based marketplace, MNsure, rather than using HealthCare.gov. Residents shop for plans and apply for subsidies directly through the state exchange.

Minnesota expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level generally qualify for Medical Assistance, the state's Medicaid program. Minnesota also runs MinnesotaCare, a Basic Health Program that covers residents with incomes a bit above the Medicaid cutoff but still relatively low, offering an additional coverage tier between Medicaid and marketplace plans.

Because Minnesota has this extra MinnesotaCare tier, residents near the lower end of the income scale should check both Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare eligibility before assuming they need a subsidized MNsure plan, since those programs often carry lower out-of-pocket costs. Insurance regulation in Minnesota falls under the Department of Commerce rather than a separate insurance department, which is worth knowing when looking up complaint or licensing information.

OnlineHealthIns.com provides general educational information and is not a substitute for professional insurance, financial, legal, or medical advice. Availability, pricing, eligibility, and benefits vary by location and provider. We do not sell insurance and are not a licensed insurance agency.

Minnesota Health Insurance FAQ

What is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace called?

MNsure, the state's own exchange.

What is MinnesotaCare?

A Basic Health Program that covers residents with incomes a bit above Medicaid eligibility, offering a lower-cost coverage option between Medicaid and marketplace plans.