For affordable health insurance, Minnesota offers three income-based paths through MNsure: Medical Assistance up to about 138% of the poverty level, MinnesotaCare up to 200%, and private plans with a premium tax credit up to 400%. Open Enrollment runs Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 15, 2027.
Updated for the 2027 plan year (October 2026). Reviewed by a licensed agent.
- Three paths to affordable coverage
- 2027 income limits for Minnesota households
- Your share of the benchmark plan
- Why MinnesotaCare matters
- Ways to lower what you pay
- 2027 market: reinsurance, rate hikes and UCare
- Affordable health insurance Minnesota checklist
- Minnesota cities
- Low-cost clinics in the Twin Cities
- Frequently asked questions
Three paths to affordable health insurance in Minnesota
Shopping for affordable health insurance, Minnesota residents benefit from a system built around income. One MNsure application checks your household for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and private plans with a tax credit, so the most important step is a careful estimate of your 2027 income.
- Medical Assistance (MA): Minnesota’s Medicaid program, for adults up to about 138% of the poverty level and for children and pregnant people at higher incomes.
- MinnesotaCare: Minnesota’s Basic Health Program, for people above MA limits and up to 200% of the poverty level without affordable job-based coverage.
- Private MNsure plans: above 200%, with a federal premium tax credit up to 400% of the poverty level.
Our full Minnesota health insurance guide covers dates, insurers and 2027 rule changes, and our national affordable health insurance guide explains the basics.
2027 income limits for Minnesota households
Eligibility for 2027 coverage uses the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines. In Minnesota, the lines that matter are roughly 138% for Medical Assistance, 200% for MinnesotaCare and 400% for the premium tax credit.
| Household | 100% FPL | 138% FPL | 200% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $31,920 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $43,280 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $54,640 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $66,000 | $132,000 |
Add $5,680 for each additional person at 100%. Program rules can differ by household type, so let MNsure’s application make the final call rather than ruling yourself out.
Your share of the benchmark Silver plan in 2027
If your income is above MinnesotaCare’s limit, the premium tax credit caps what you pay for the benchmark Silver plan at a share of income. The IRS sets those shares; for 2027 they come from Rev. Proc. 2026-26.
| Income (% of poverty level) | Expected contribution, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Under 133% | 2.15% |
| 133% – 150% | 3.23% – 4.30% |
| 150% – 200% | 4.30% – 6.78% |
| 200% – 250% | 6.78% – 8.66% |
| 250% – 300% | 8.66% – 10.22% |
| 300% – 400% | 10.22% |
| Over 400% | No credit |
In Minnesota, most people under 200% are routed to Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare rather than a subsidized private plan, so the rows above 200% matter most for MNsure shoppers. Our 2027 subsidies guide explains reconciliation and the 400% cliff.
Why MinnesotaCare matters for affordable health insurance in Minnesota
MinnesotaCare is the reason many Minnesotans between about 138% and 200% of the poverty level can get coverage with lower costs than a typical private plan. Most states don’t have a Basic Health Program; Minnesota has run one for years.
There’s no asset test, any monthly premium is based on income, and you can apply any time of year through MNsure. You can’t get MinnesotaCare if you have access to affordable job-based coverage. Starting January 1, 2026, undocumented adults 18 and older are no longer eligible under state law, while undocumented children remain eligible (Minnesota House).
Medical Assistance also changes in 2027: some adults ages 21 to 64 without children under 19 at home may need to meet work or community engagement requirements at renewal, according to the Minnesota DHS.
Honesty.AI estimates where your household lands and compares every MNsure option in your county.
Ways to lower what you pay
Once you know your income band, a few choices make the biggest difference. Most MNsure shoppers can use several.
- Estimate income honestly. Too low and you may repay credit at tax time; too high and you may miss MinnesotaCare.
- Compare total yearly cost. Add the premium, deductible and likely copays. The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family.
- Match the network to your clinic. Minnesota plans are often built around one health system. A narrower network can cost less if your doctors are in it. See how to choose a health plan.
- Test your job offer. Employer coverage is unaffordable for 2027 if your share of self-only coverage tops 10.22% of household income.
- Use tribal protections. Members of federally recognized Tribes can enroll year-round and, from 100% to 300% of the poverty level, get zero cost-sharing plans (HealthCare.gov).
- Report changes. If income falls mid-year, MNsure can move you to a better-fitting program.
2027 market: reinsurance, rate hikes and UCare
Minnesota’s 2027 premiums are rising, but less than they would have. The Department of Commerce put the average final individual-market increase at 17.4%, compared with 57.9% without the state’s reinsurance program, the Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPR News).
The insurer lineup changed too. The Minnesota Department of Commerce lists Aspirus Health Plan (new), Blue Plus, HealthPartners, Medica and Quartz for 2027, and says UCare plans will no longer be available. If you had UCare, or if you simply auto-renewed last year, compare again before December 15.
For subsidized households, the credit grows when the benchmark plan’s premium grows, which cushions the increase. People above 400% of the poverty level feel the full change, so affordable health insurance, Minnesota style, often comes down to network choice and metal tier.
Affordable health insurance Minnesota checklist
Use this list before you click enroll. It takes about fifteen minutes and catches most of the mistakes that make coverage cost more than it should.
- Gather income documents for everyone in your tax household: recent pay stubs, your last tax return and any self-employment records.
- List your doctors, clinics and prescriptions, then check each one in every plan you’re considering. Minnesota networks are often tied to a single health system.
- Check whether anyone has a job offer of coverage, including a spouse. It can affect both MinnesotaCare and the tax credit.
- Compare at least one Bronze, one Silver and one Gold plan on total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium.
- Look at alternative and ancillary coverage such as dental and vision, and get any trade-offs explained in writing.
- Choose by December 15, 2026 for January 1 coverage.
If you follow those steps, affordable health insurance in Minnesota becomes a comparison problem you can solve, not a guess. When people ask us where to start with affordable health insurance, Minnesota’s answer is simple: begin with one MNsure application, then compare.
Minnesota cities
Affordable options look different in each metro because networks follow local health systems. Here’s a quick local summary for the two largest cities.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis sits in Hennepin County and has several federally qualified health centers, including NorthPoint Health & Wellness, which has served North Minneapolis since 1968. University of Minnesota students have their own plan rules. Read the Minneapolis health insurance guide.
St. Paul
St. Paul, the state capital in Ramsey County, is home to Regions Hospital, the city’s only Level 1 trauma center, and community clinics such as West Side Community Health Services. Read the St. Paul health insurance guide.
Low-cost clinics in the Twin Cities
Community health centers treat patients regardless of insurance and charge on a sliding scale by income. HRSA’s Find a Health Center lists federally funded sites in Minneapolis such as NorthPoint (run by Hennepin County), Native American Community Clinic and Neighborhood HealthSource, and in St. Paul such as West Side Community Health Services, Open Cities Health Center and United Family Practice Health Center.
A clinic isn’t insurance and won’t pay a hospital bill. Use it alongside coverage, and get free application help from a MNsure-certified navigator through MNsure’s assister directory.
How Honesty finds the most affordable fit
Honesty.AI, the world’s first patented, licensed AI insurance agent, works for you, not the carriers. It flags likely Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare eligibility, estimates your credit, and ranks MNsure plans by your real yearly cost, alongside alternative and ancillary plans, based on your family’s needs. Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC is licensed in Minnesota and helps 24/7 by chat, voice or text.
See what affordable looks like for your household
Check MinnesotaCare, compare every MNsure plan and enroll in minutes. Honesty Is Your Best Policy®.
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for MinnesotaCare in 2027?
MinnesotaCare covers people above Medical Assistance limits and up to 200% of the federal poverty level. For 2027 coverage that is $31,920 for one person or $66,000 for a family of four, using the 2026 poverty guidelines.
Can I get a premium tax credit in Minnesota above 400% of the poverty level?
No. The enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, so for 2027 coverage there is no premium tax credit above 400% of the poverty level: $63,840 for one person or $132,000 for a family of four.
How did reinsurance affect Minnesota’s 2027 rates?
The Department of Commerce put the average final 2027 individual-market increase at 17.4%, compared with 57.9% without the Minnesota Premium Security Plan, a state reinsurance program that pays part of the costliest claims.
Where can I find low-cost clinics in Minneapolis and St. Paul?
HRSA’s Find a Health Center tool lists federally funded clinics, including NorthPoint and Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis and West Side Community Health Services and Open Cities Health Center in St. Paul. They charge on a sliding scale.
Can I apply for MinnesotaCare outside open enrollment?
Yes. Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare accept applications all year through MNsure. Private MNsure plans require Open Enrollment, November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, or a qualifying life event.
Keep learning: read the full Minnesota health insurance guide, our local pages for Minneapolis and St. Paul, and how 2027 subsidies work.
