What to know about buying health insurance in Minnesota

With funding for Affordable Care Act subsidies in question, it's a tricky time to buy health insurance no matter your age.

To get advice for Minnesotans turning 26 years old or leaving a parent’s or guardian’s plan, Cathy Wurzer talked with MNsure Communications Manager Mary Robinson.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Listen to the conversation by clicking the player button above.

Why should young, healthy people bother paying for health insurance?

Health insurance provides important protection for people and their families in case an unexpected injury or illness happens; it's just not worth the gamble to go without. When I was in my 20s, there was a period of time when I didn't have health insurance. I was working multiple part-time jobs, and I wasn't making much money, and I assumed that I couldn't afford it. And that meant that I avoided getting the care that I needed because I was afraid of the cost.

Can 20-somethings qualify for Medicaid or tax credits?

MNsure is the official health insurance marketplace for Minnesota, and we're here to help. So they can go to our website, mnsure.org, and view available plans. They can also get a quick estimate to see if they're eligible for financial help. So this includes free or lower-cost insurance through Minnesota's Medicaid program — Medical Assistance — MinnesotaCare or tax credits that lower the cost of a private health plan.

There is an income limit for eligibility for 2026 — $62,600 for an individual — if you're earning less than that, you probably qualify for some type of financial help. And you can get a quick and anonymous cost estimate with just three pieces of information: where you live, who's in your household and your expected income next year.

Congress hasn’t decided whether to fund 2026 ACA subsidies. How does that affect insurance folks are buying now for next year?

Many Minnesotans are in this position and are feeling a lot of uncertainty right now. The issue that we're tracking right now is whether Congress will extend those enhanced tax credits that are in place today. And that's because when that legislation was passed, it included an expiration date at the end of 2025, so that means that Congress needs to act in order for those enhanced savings to continue next year.

The biggest takeaway for consumers is that plans and prices change every year, but we know that this year, they could see some big changes. So even if they've been in the same plan for years, we want them to come back and check all of their options to see if there's a better fit for their family.

We’ve heard of scams targeting older insurance buyers. Are there similar attempts to fool first-time shoppers?

Gen Z is extremely internet savvy, but we still want to caution listeners that they should be on the lookout for scams, especially if it's their first time shopping. We know that there are online ads out there and influencers that may try to sell you a cheap plan, but generally, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably doesn't cover the care you need, and that can leave you stuck with high medical bills when you get care.

What are the key deadlines?

MNsure’s open enrollment is happening right now through January 15. But there's an important early deadline on December 15 for coverage that starts January 1 … Appointments for free help are filling up quickly, so don’t wait to get in touch.

This week is the time when you should go to mnsure.org, find an expert near you and get that free application and enrollment help.

Examples of coverage using MNsure’s plan comparison tool

• “A 26-year-old in a south Minneapolis neighborhood earning $35,000 per year could save about $100 per month with tax credits and choose from over a dozen bronze and silver plan options for less than $215 per month,” Robinson shared via email.

• “A 26-year-old in Duluth earning $35,000 per year could save $215 per month with tax credits and find a silver plan for less than $250 per month.

• “A 26-year-old in Mankato earning $35,000 per year could save about $270 per month with tax credits and enroll in a bronze plan for $175 per month.”