2027 Rates Changes - Minnesota

Insurers tell you one number. They file a single "average rate change" with the state, the press writes it up, and that number becomes the story. In Minnesota this year the numbers were 13% for Medica, 12% for HealthPartners, 10% for Blue Cross.

That number is almost never what happens to your plan.

I can prove it now, because Minnesota insurers file their actual rate tables into public SERFF health plan binders, and the 2027 binders are already posted. I pulled all six 2027 individual medical binders, pulled the matching 2026 binders, and lined them up plan ID by plan ID. Every on-exchange plan, every rating area, both years. That is 650 plan and rating-area combinations.

This tracker starts with Minnesota because Minnesota is home for me.

Source: SERFF health plan binders, MN Dept. of Commerce (plan year 2026 and 2027 individual medical)

A note on the number I am comparing

Every premium here is for a 21-year-old, non-tobacco.

Age 21 is not arbitrary. It is the anchor of the federal default age curve, where the age factor is exactly 1.000. Every other age is a fixed multiple of the age-21 rate. You can watch it happen inside the filings: Aspirus prices its HMO Silver 6600 at $503.32 for a 21-year-old, $726.79 at 45, and $1,366.01 at 60. Those are the curve's 1.000, 1.444, and 2.714 factors, to the cent.

That is the whole reason to use age 21. It strips out every effect except the one I care about, which is what the insurer did to the price. Multiply by your own age factor to get your number. (Minnesota also bans tobacco rating, so the tobacco and non-tobacco rates in these filings are identical.)

The headline rate change is not the rate change

Here is what each insurer filed as its average increase, next to what actually happened to the plans it is keeping.

Median change on plans they kept Average rate change they filed

0%5%10%

Medica +1.5% → +13.0% +11.5 pts

HealthPartners, Inc. +10.8% → +12.4% +1.6 pts

HealthPartners Ins. Co. +11.9% → +12.3% +0.4 pts

Blue Plus +7.5% → +10.3% +2.8 pts

Quartz +10.2% → +10.0% −0.2 pts

Table view

Issuer	Median, kept plans	Filed average	Gap	Plans kept	Plans dropped
Medica	+1.5%	+13.0%	11.5 pts	109	168
HealthPartners, Inc.	+10.8%	+12.4%	1.6 pts	31	0
HealthPartners Ins. Co.	+11.9%	+12.3%	0.4 pts	90	0
Blue Plus	+7.5%	+10.3%	2.8 pts	95	0
Quartz	+10.2%	+10.0%	-0.2 pts	18	0

Four of the five incumbents land roughly where you would expect. Then there is Medica. Medica filed a 13.0% average increase. The median change on a Medica plan that still exists in 2027 is 1.5%.

That is an 11.5 point gap, and it is not an error in either number. They measure different things. The filed average is weighted across the insurer's entire book of business, and critically, it accounts for where members end up after their current plan disappears. My number only looks at plans that survive.

So the gap tells you something specific: for Medica, most of the increase is not happening to plans. It is happening to people, when the plan they are on stops existing and they get moved to one that costs more.

Medica is deleting four networks

Medica filed 113 individual plans for 2026. For 2027 it filed 53. It dropped 70 plan IDs and added 10.

Those 70 are not scattered. They are four entire co-branded networks, gone in one move:

Network dropped for 2027	Health system partner
North Memorial Acclaim by Medica	North Memorial Health (Robbinsdale)
Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica	M Health Fairview (Minneapolis)
Ridgeview Distinct by Medica	Ridgeview (Waconia)
Altru Prime by Medica	Altru Health System (Grand Forks)

What survives is Applause, Engage, and Essentia Choice Care.

The three metro systems on that list matter, because the dropped plans were the cheap ones. In the Twin Cities rating area, the 40 on-exchange plans Medica is dropping averaged $355.91 at age 21 in 2026. The plans it kept average $443.47 in 2027. A member crosswalked off a dropped narrow network onto a surviving one is looking at something closer to 25%, not 1.5%, and not even 13%.

This is what a narrow-network retreat looks like in a rate filing. The cheap, provider-partnered products are the ones that go.

Aspirus is in, UCare is out

Two carriers changed. The count stayed at six, which makes it look like nothing happened. Something happened.

UCare is gone. Medica acquired UCare, UCare's individual plans were kept alive through 2026 to give members a soft landing, and for 2027 there is no UCare binder at all. Its 16 plans simply end. Ten of them were statewide. The other six were its M Health Fairview co-branded plans, sold only in the metro and north-central Minnesota, priced from $287.68 at age 21.

Hold that thought, because M Health Fairview also just lost "Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica". Both of its co-branded individual products, on both carriers, disappear in the same year. If you bought a plan specifically to be inside the M Health Fairview network, 2027 has nothing for you.

Aspirus Health Plan is new, HIOS 19541, filing in Minnesota for the first time. Its footprint is exactly one rating area: Area 2, the northeast. That is Duluth, the Iron Range, and the Arrowhead, and it is precisely the territory Aspirus bought when it acquired St. Luke's in Duluth. Twelve plans, including the cheapest catastrophic plan in the region at $366.24.

So northeast Minnesota trades UCare for Aspirus and holds steady. Everywhere else just loses UCare.

That is the part the "six carriers, still six carriers" framing hides. Count by parent company, because HealthPartners files two separate legal entities and they are not two choices. On that basis, seven of Minnesota's nine rating areas drop from four parent companies to three, and that includes the Twin Cities metro, which is the largest market in the state. Only Area 2 stays at four, purely because Aspirus showed up. Southeast Minnesota goes from five to four.

Aspirus backfilling Duluth is the only reason this is not a clean statewide contraction.

The same plan ID is not the same plan

This one is easy to miss and it undercuts every year-over-year premium comparison, including mine.

Of the 489 continuing plan and rating-area combinations, 247 changed their marketing name. Not the plan ID. The name.

HealthPartners plan 85654MN0290001 was "Alpine $1,300 Gold" in 2026. In 2027 the same plan ID is "Alpine $2,000 Gold". The deductible moved by $700. Quartz's catastrophic plan went from a $10,600 deductible to $12,000. Peak's gold plan went from $1,300 to $2,000.

So when the tracker below tells you a plan went up 8%, that 8% can be buying you a worse plan than the one you had. The premium change is the floor on what changed, not the ceiling. I flag every renamed plan in the tracker so you can see which ones deserve a second look.

Every MNsure plan, 2026 to 2027

Pick a rating area. Each row is one plan: where it priced in 2026, where it prices in 2027, and what moved. A plan with only a 2027 dot was not available in that area last year. A plan with only a 2026 dot will not be available there next year.

That distinction is finer than it looks, so the tracker labels it. "New" means the plan ID did not exist anywhere in 2026. "New to area" means the plan already existed, just not in that rating area. Same on the way out: "Dropped" means the plan is gone from Minnesota entirely, while "Left area" means it is still sold elsewhere in the state.

Rating area Area 1 · Southeast Minnesota Area 2 · Northeast Minnesota Area 3 · South-central Minnesota Area 4 · Southwest Minnesota Area 5 · West-central Minnesota Area 6 · Northwest-central Minnesota Area 7 · North-central Minnesota Area 8 · Twin Cities metro Area 9 · Northwest Minnesota

Metal

All PlatinumGoldSilverExpanded BronzeBronzeCatastrophic

Show plans leaving this area

Area 8, Twin Cities metro. Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud. 11 counties: Anoka, Benton, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington, Wright.

2026 premium 2027 premium Available here in 2027 only Available here in 2026 only

$300$400$500

Medica 51 plans

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Share Plus Metro Bronze $284 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Bronze Share Plus Metro Bronze $285 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze $0 Copay PCP Visits Expanded Bronze $295 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze Copay (First 3) Bronze $296 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Bronze $0 Copay PCP Visits Expanded Bronze $297 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Bronze Copay (First 3) Bronze $298 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Bronze Bold by M Health Fairview Expanded Bronze $300 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Bronze Share Plus Metro Bronze $301 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Bronze North Memorial Acclaim Expanded Bronze $302 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $305 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $306 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Bronze $0 Copay PCP Visits Expanded Bronze $313 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Bronze Copay (First 3) Bronze $314 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Bronze Ridgeview Distinct Expanded Bronze $318 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $323 Dropped

Medica Applause Bronze Share Plus Metro Bronze $342 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver $0 Copay PCP Visits Silver $349 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Silver $0 Copay PCP Visits Silver $350 Dropped

Medica Applause Bronze Share HSA Bronze was “Medica Applause Bronze Share Plus” in 2026 sold elsewhere in 2026, new to this area in 2027 $354 New to area

Medica Applause Bronze $0 Copay PCP Visits Expanded Bronze $356 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver Share Silver $361 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver HSA Silver $362 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Silver Share Silver $363 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Silver HSA Silver $364 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Silver $0 Copay PCP Visits Silver $369 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay Bold by M Health Fairview Silver $370 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay North Memorial Acclaim Silver $371 Dropped

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Silver Copay (First 3) Silver $372 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Silver Copay (First 3) Silver $373 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Silver Share Silver $383 Dropped

Medica Applause Bronze Copay (First 3) HSA Bronze was “Medica Applause Bronze Copay (First 3)” in 2026 $357 → $383 +7.3%

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Silver HSA Silver $384 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay Ridgeview Distinct Silver $391 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Silver Copay (First 3) Silver $394 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Bronze Applause HSA Expanded Bronze was “Medica Easy Compare Bronze Applause” in 2026 $362 → $399 +10.1%

Bold by M Health Fairview and Medica Gold $0 Copay PCP Visits Gold $401 Dropped

North Memorial Acclaim by Medica Gold $0 Copay PCP Visits Gold $403 Dropped

Medica Applause Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $368 → $404 +9.9%

Medica Applause Silver $0 Copay PCP Visits Silver $420 Dropped

Ridgeview Distinct by Medica Gold $0 Copay PCP Visits Gold $425 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay Bold by M Health Fairview Gold $428 Dropped

Medica Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay North Memorial Acclaim Gold $430 Dropped

Medica Applause Silver Share Silver $436 → $450 +3.2%

Medica Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay Ridgeview Distinct Gold $453 Dropped

Medica Applause Silver HSA Silver $437 → $455 +4.3%

Medica Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay Applause Silver $446 → $462 +3.6%

Medica Applause Silver Copay (First 3) Silver $465 New

Medica Applause Gold $0 Copay PCP Visits Gold $484 Dropped

Medica Applause Gold Share Gold $528 New

Medica Applause Gold HSA Gold $532 New

Medica Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay Applause Gold $516 → $551 +6.7%

HealthPartners, Inc. 15 plans

Select $7,500 Plus Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze was “Select $6,800 Plus Bronze HSA” in 2026 $275 → $303 +10.2%

Select $8,700 HSA Bronze Expanded Bronze was “Select $8,400 HSA Bronze” in 2026 $266 → $304 +14.4%

Peak $7,500 Plus Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze was “Peak $6,800 Plus Bronze HSA” in 2026 $310 → $337 +8.5%

Peak $8,700 HSA Bronze Expanded Bronze was “Peak $8,400 HSA Bronze” in 2026 $300 → $338 +12.7%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Bronze HSA Peak Expanded Bronze was “HealthPartners Easy Compare Bronze Peak HSA” in 2026 $313 → $345 +10.3%

Select $4,100 HSA Silver Silver was “Select $3,800 HSA Silver” in 2026 $300 → $347 +15.7%

Select $3,800 Silver Silver was “Select $3,000 Silver” in 2026 $320 → $361 +13.0%

Select $3,500 Plus Silver Silver was “Select $3,150 Plus Silver” in 2026 $316 → $362 +14.5%

Peak $4,100 HSA Silver Silver was “Peak $3,800 HSA Silver” in 2026 $346 → $385 +11.4%

Peak $3,800 Silver Silver was “Peak $3,000 Silver” in 2026 $369 → $401 +8.7%

Peak $3,500 Plus Silver Silver was “Peak $3,150 Plus Silver” in 2026 $364 → $401 +10.1%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Silver Rx Copay Peak Silver $373 → $415 +11.2%

Peak $2,700 Gold Gold was “Peak $2,400 Gold” in 2026 $415 → $465 +12.3%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Gold Rx Copay Peak Gold $421 → $471 +11.9%

Peak $2,000 Gold Gold was “Peak $1,300 Gold” in 2026 $426 → $479 +12.3%

HealthPartners Ins. Co. 10 plans

Alpine $7,500 Plus Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze was “Alpine $6,800 Plus Bronze HSA” in 2026 $354 → $388 +9.4%

Alpine $8,700 HSA Bronze Expanded Bronze was “Alpine $8,400 HSA Bronze” in 2026 $342 → $389 +13.6%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Bronze HSA Alpine Expanded Bronze was “HealthPartners Easy Compare Bronze Alpine HSA” in 2026 $357 → $397 +11.2%

Alpine $4,100 HSA Silver Silver was “Alpine $3,800 HSA Silver” in 2026 $396 → $444 +12.2%

Alpine $3,800 Silver Silver was “Alpine $3,000 Silver” in 2026 $421 → $462 +9.6%

Alpine $3,500 Plus Silver Silver was “Alpine $3,150 Plus Silver” in 2026 $416 → $462 +11.0%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Silver Rx Copay Alpine Silver $426 → $478 +12.1%

Alpine $2,700 Gold Gold was “Alpine $2,400 Gold” in 2026 $474 → $536 +13.1%

HealthPartners Easy Compare Gold Rx Copay Alpine Gold $481 → $542 +12.8%

Alpine $2,000 Gold Gold was “Alpine $1,300 Gold” in 2026 $487 → $545 +11.8%

Blue Plus 13 plans

Blue Plus Metro MN Bronze Bronze $283 → $283 0.0%

Blue Plus Metro MN Bronze Expanded Bronze was “Blue Plus Metro MN HSA Bronze” in 2026 $267 → $311 +16.4%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Bronze Bronze $320 → $318 -0.9%

Blue Plus Metro MN Silver Silver was “Blue Plus Metro MN HSA Silver” in 2026 $303 → $346 +14.3%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Bronze Expanded Bronze was “Blue Plus Minnesota Value HSA Bronze” in 2026 $303 → $349 +15.4%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Bronze Expanded Bronze $315 → $356 +12.9%

Blue Plus Easy Compare Bronze Blue Plus Minnesota Value Expanded Bronze $325 → $372 +14.5%

Blue Plus Metro MN Gold Rx Copay Gold $344 → $388 +12.8%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Silver Silver was “Blue Plus Minnesota Value HSA Silver” in 2026 $343 → $389 +13.3%

Blue Plus Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay Blue Plus Minnesota Value Silver $361 → $408 +12.9%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Gold Gold was “Blue Plus Minnesota Value HSA Gold” in 2026 $395 → $433 +9.5%

Blue Plus Minnesota Value Gold Rx Copay Gold $390 → $435 +11.7%

Blue Plus Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay Blue Plus Minnesota Value Gold $403 → $457 +13.5%

UCare 14 plans

UCare M Health Fairview Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $288 Dropped

UCare M Health Fairview Bronze Expanded Bronze $300 Dropped

UCare Bronze HSA Expanded Bronze $319 Dropped

UCare M Health Fairview Silver HSA Silver $327 Dropped

UCare Bronze Expanded Bronze $333 Dropped

UCare M Health Fairview Silver Silver $343 Dropped

UCare Bronze Access Expanded Bronze $344 Dropped

UCare Easy Compare Bronze Expanded Bronze $346 Dropped

UCare Silver HSA Silver $363 Dropped

UCare Easy Compare Silver and Rx Copay Silver $378 Dropped

UCare Silver Silver $381 Dropped

UCare M Health Fairview Gold Gold $409 Dropped

UCare Easy Compare Gold and Rx Copay Gold $435 Dropped

UCare Gold Gold $454 Dropped

A few things worth finding in there:

• Not everything went up. Blue Plus has bronze plans falling almost 10% in north-central Minnesota. A Medica Essentia bronze plan in the northeast drops 7.9%.
• The worst increases are gold. Quartz's gold maintenance plan in southeast Minnesota is up 17.9%, from $546.30 to $644.17.
• Quartz only sells in Area 1, and Aspirus only in Area 2. Both are single-region carriers, which is why the statewide averages barely notice them.

How I built this, and what it does not tell you

Every number here comes from the CMS Rates Table Template inside each insurer's SERFF health plan binder, which is the same standardized workbook in every state. The plan names and metal levels come from the binder summary page, since the 2027 binders contain only rate templates so far and no Plans and Benefits template.

Two checks worth stating. Blue Plus filed 107 plans for 2026 and withdrew 12 of them, leaving 95, which is exactly the 95 in its rate table. And Medica's 2026 rate template appears twice, once in the 2026 binder and once attached to the 2027 binder as a reviewer note. I parsed both. They produce identical rates across all 499 plan and rating-area combinations, which is a nice confirmation that the reviewer-note copies are the real approved filings.

The caveats:

1. 2027 rates are proposed, not approved. The 2026 binders are closed and certified. The 2027 binders are still open, marked "Pending State Action" or "Pending Industry Response". Minnesota Commerce reviews these and final rates land by October 1. They will move.
2. This is age 21, on-exchange, before subsidies. What you actually pay depends on your age, your income, and the premium tax credit. With the enhanced subsidies expiring, the gap between these numbers and what people pay is about to get much wider, and that is its own post.
3. Off-exchange plans are excluded. They are in the filings and in my data, but you cannot buy them on MNsure, so they are not here.