MNsure 2026: Minnesota's Enrollment Guide
Minnesota runs its own health insurance marketplace, MNsure, instead of using HealthCare.gov. It's also one of the few states with MinnesotaCare, a program that covers people who earn a bit too much for Medicaid. Whether you're in the Twin Cities or greater Minnesota, this guide explains how to enroll for 2026 and which program fits.
MNsure is Minnesota's state-based marketplace. Rather than sending residents to the federal HealthCare.gov site, Minnesota built its own exchange to handle private plans, subsidies, Medical Assistance (Medicaid), and MinnesotaCare in one application. That extra MinnesotaCare tier is what sets Minnesota apart from most states.
MinnesotaCare vs. the Marketplace
Where you land depends largely on income. Medical Assistance covers the lowest-income residents. MinnesotaCare sits just above that, covering people who earn slightly too much for Medicaid but would still struggle with full-price private premiums. Above the MinnesotaCare range, you shop private Marketplace plans on MNsure with income-based subsidies.
- Lowest income: Medical Assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid) may cover you year-round.
- Just above Medicaid: MinnesotaCare offers low-cost coverage for the near-eligible.
- Moderate to higher income: private Marketplace plans on MNsure with subsidies.
- MNsure's single application checks all of these at once, so you don't have to guess.
Coverage in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota
Plan availability differs across the state. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro generally offers more carriers and larger networks. In greater Minnesota, from the Iron Range to the southern and western farm counties, carrier options and provider distances vary, so confirm your clinic and hospital are in-network before enrolling.
- Twin Cities metro: multiple carriers and major health systems.
- Rochester and southern Minnesota: strong hospital anchors, confirm plan networks.
- Duluth and northern Minnesota: fewer carriers, check specialist access.
- Rural western counties: verify travel distance to in-network care.
Choosing between MinnesotaCare and a Marketplace plan takes local knowledge. It helps to work with
Yes. Minnesota runs its own state-based exchange, MNsure, so residents enroll there instead of on HealthCare.gov.
MinnesotaCare is a low-cost coverage program for people who earn slightly too much for Medical Assistance (Medicaid) but still need affordable coverage.
Complete one application on MNsure. It checks Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, and subsidized private plans and tells you what you're eligible for.
Ready to see your options?
Answer a few quick questions and a licensed advisor will email your personalized plan options within one business hour. 100% free, no obligation.