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651-539-1600 (local)
800-657-3602 (Greater Minnesota)
consumer.protection@state.mn.us
| Types of health insurance plan | What groups are able to purchase this type of plan? | Open enrollment period - during which you are guaranteed to be able to purchase coverage |
| Individual | People who get their own health coverage rather than getting it through an employer |
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| Small group | Small businesses with no more than 50 employees |
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* Special enrollment periods are offered in the event of a significant life event, such as a having a baby, getting married, or moving.
Rate review for individual and small group insurance
Insurance companies submit proposed rates for individual and small group insurance plans annually. Commerce and the Department of Health perform a review of the proposed plans and rates before the plans can be sold to Minnesotans. The Minnesota Department of Commerce does not set health insurance rates.
During the review, Commerce determines whether the proposed rates are reasonable. Rates must be justified both by the benefits that consumers receive for their premiums and by the insurance company’s ability to pay expected medical claims costs.
Learn more about the rate review process
The review process also ensures that individual and small group policies comply with state and federal laws that protect consumers – including the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here’s what that means for you:
- Plans must cover ten essential health benefits as defined by the ACA, and other state-mandated health benefits.
- Your insurance premium won’t be determined based on your health status.
- The ACA limits the reasons that insurers can charge higher rates –health insurance rates can vary based only on an individual’s age, tobacco use, family size, and geography.
- Plans offered on MNsure must cover any pre-existing conditions – meaning that an insurance company cannot reject you, charge you more, or refuse to pay for essential health benefits for any condition you had before your coverage started.
Timeline for health insurance rate reviews
For plan year 2025, insurance companies must submit proposed rates to Commerce by June 3, 2024.
Under state law, insurers’ proposed rate changes for individual and small group health plans must be made public on the System for Electronic Rate and Form Filings. The proposed rates must be made public within 10 business days of the submission deadline.
Rates for the following calendar year must be released 30 days prior to the beginning of open enrollment, which runs from November to January each year.