With open enrollment starting in a few weeks, officials with the state's health insurance marketplace, MNsure, are preparing enrollees for some potentially painful changes under the federal budget bill passed earlier this year.
MNsure CEO Libby Caulum tells a Minnesota Senate panel Wednesday that those on Medicaid and Medicare will be paying more out-of-pocket, others will feel the pinch due to the sunsetting of enhanced premium tax credits, and DACA recipients are no longer eligible to purchase health coverage through MNsure.
"These federal policy changes will make private health insurance harder to access, afford, and maintain, and taken together, when all of these changes are in effect, we estimate that up to 45% of MNsure enrollees could drop coverage," notes Caulum.
Caulum says a family of four from Albert Lea that paid $143 a month for their bronze plan this year would need to pay $490 a month for the same plan next year.
Lawmakers are gathering information now to craft legislation to help make health care more affordable during the next legislative session.
But Caulum says Minnesotans on Medicaid and Medicare will also be paying more out-of-pocket.
"The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS increased the allowable maximum out of pocket amount by more than 15% to $10,600 in 2026," says Caulum. "This is the largest increase since the ACA marketplace first launched."
The sunsetting of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of the year are hurting those who enroll for MNsure, and Caulum says DACA recipients are no longer eligible to purchase health coverage through MNsure after a budget deal by the GOP-led Minnesota Legislature during the 2025 session cut that spending program.
Starting now, consumers can go to MNsure.org to check 2026 options and get a free, anonymous cost estimate. MNsure's open enrollment period begins November 1.