Health coverage affordability is top-of-mind for many Minnesotans and officials with the state’s insurance marketplace said it is reasonable to be worried about what lies ahead but trusted navigators can still potentially find savings and help avoid pitfalls.

The enrollment start date for people who get their coverage through MNsure, Minnesota’s insurance exchange through the Affordable Care Act, is Nov. 1. Enhanced federal subsidies to keep costs lower expire at year’s end, as debate plays out in Congress.

Mary Robinson, communications manager for MNsure, said whether it is the larger tax credits or changes to insurance plans, people should look into their options as soon as possible.

“Even if you’ve been in the same plan for years, don’t just hit ‘repeat,'” Robinson urged. “There may be a better fit for your needs and your budget.”

If the tax credits expire, some 19,000 MNsure enrollees will lose all financial help but nearly 70,000 still may qualify for subsidies, albeit at a reduced level. Robinson stressed it is important to not immediately think the worst, and connect with a local, trusted broker or navigator by searching MNsure’s directory.

She pointed out the free guidance will steer you in the right direction and avoid scammers or online influencers promoting “too-good-to-be-true” plans and premiums.

In a national survey, 43% of people said they regret a health decision they’ve made because of inaccurate details.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said more voices are giving dubious health advice and information through platforms like social media.

“You want to make sure that you’re checking the source, that you’re getting your information from a credentialed medical professional or a reputable organization,” Randall urged. “Look to see if they’ve included links to research, and the evidence of the information that they’re giving you is accessible to you.”

It is also the time of year when employers have sign-up periods for their sponsored coverage and Medicare open enrollment is underway, too. Randall emphasized no matter the situation, start early to give yourself enough time to make an informed decision. As for MNsure plans, officials said even though enrollment does not start until Nov. 1, you can visit their website now and at least get a cost estimate.

Minnesotans who buy their health insurance through MNsure, the state’s public marketplace, will likely get sticker shock when they see the increase in premiums.

For the individual market, premiums are up on average 21.5% with an increase of 14.2% for small group coverage.

“MNsure.org is the place where people who don’t have health insurance through their employer can come and get health insurance,” says MNsure CEO Libby Caulum.

She acknowledges hearing a lot of concern from consumers about the increase, but encourages them to use tools on the website that allow you to shop and compare among several health insurance providers and find financial help.

“You can check out all of your plan options depending on where you live, your age, your income level,” she said in an interview on “At Issue with Tom Hauser.“ You may still qualify for some federal tax credit help. Not all tax credits are going away.”

Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold urges consumers to study the health insurance plans to see which best fits their individual health care needs.

“Depending on your carrier, you may see something a little lower or a little higher depending on your specific situation,” said Arnold, who appeared on “At Issue” with Caulum. “These are averages. They’re the highest averages I’ve seen in my time here.”

Arnold has been the commerce commissioner since 2020. Arnold and Caulum say they’re hoping the federal government can do something to extend health insurance subsidies to ease the pain of the premium increases.

The federal government is shut down while Democrats try to force the Trump administration and Republicans to extend federal health insurance tax credits.

“We can’t do it alone,” she says, noting there is some state financial aid available. “We need partnership. I think that’s what you’re hearing when we talk about these extended tax credits. That’s really the extra help that we need from the federal government to keep your premiums more affordable.”

You can see the entire segment with Arnold and Caulum at 10 a.m. Sunday on “At Issue.”

“It ranges from pure anger to tears,” said Kelli Jo Greiner, describing the first few days of Medicare open enrollment.

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MINNEAPOLIS — Medicare open enrollment has just begun, but increased premiums and decreased options have led to a record number of calls to Minnesota Aging Pathways, formerly the Senior LinkAge Line.

“We have been seeing well over 1,000 calls a day,” said Kelli Jo Greiner, Medicare program director at the Minnesota Board on Aging. “(On the first day of open enrollment) we saw 2,000 calls. Our normal call volume is about 200 to 300 calls a day during the rest of the year. It’s the largest increase we’ve ever seen in the history of our service and we’ve been around since 1993.”

Greiner says once a staff member does take a call, the conversations are difficult.

“We are hearing a lot of anxiety,” she said. “It ranges from pure anger to tears. It’s really a range of extremes that we are hearing from Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota. It’s a tough year, both on Medicare beneficiaries and on Minnesota Aging Pathways.”

Rising premiums for Medicare Advantage Plans are driving some of that call volume and anger. According to Greiner, Minnesota is set to see premiums increase by 18%, on average, next year.

“People did not expect to see that,” she said. “So we are seeing people that previously never looked at reviewing plans before, and they looked at their premiums and went, whoa, I’ve got to look at some other options.”

Unfortunately, there are also fewer options available. Earlier this year, UCare announced that it will no longer offer Medicare Advantage plans.

“That impacts 158,000 Minnesotans, so we’re getting a lot of UCare callers,” Greiner said. “We’re trying to help those folks because they are losing their entire benefits under Medicare Advantage as of January 1.

There are also counties where Medicare Advantage plans have pulled out of, we’re helping those folks. It’s just a very, very busy – somewhat chaotic – year.”

Greiner says many other patients are learning that their doctors are no longer in network. That includes many who get their care at Mayo Clinic.

“To see these options changing, is leaving a lot of people very concerned, very nervous, and as a result, they too are looking at changing plans this year for 2026,” she said. “So they can continue to go to the Mayo Clinic if they have that relationship already established.”

Despite the concern, Griener says patients shouldn’t panic. She says two insurers do still have Mayo Clinic in their Medicare Advantage networks, and she says patients have until December 7 to find the coverage that’s right for them.

“We just want people to really kind of take a deep breath and just realize you have plenty of time to make that decision,” she said. “You don’t have to do it all right now.”

UnitedHealthcare, Humana and Mayo Clinic all confirmed the upcoming Medicare Advantage changes to KARE11, and offered statements explaining where things stand.

STATEMENT FROM UHG:

“We have reached a multi-year agreement that provides continued network access to Mayo Clinic for people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored commercial plans and Medicare Advantage Group Retiree plans. However, starting Jan. 1, 2026, Mayo Clinic locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa will be out of network for UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage individual and Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP). Medicare Advantage members who want access to Mayo Clinic should review their options during the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.”

STATEMENT FROM HUMANA:

“Mayo Clinic will be out-of-network for Humana Medicare Advantage members beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Affected members have been notified of the change. We will provide clear guidance and personalized assistance to help members continue receiving the care they need. If members have questions or need assistance, they can call Humana’s toll-free customer support line found on the back of their insurance cards.

Humana remains deeply committed to supporting our members’ health and well-being by ensuring they have access to high-quality, affordable care. Our partnerships with healthcare providers are central to delivering on this commitment. When providers require significantly higher reimbursement rates compared to Original Medicare, it further strains our healthcare system. Ultimately, it costs patients more in the end, as seen in the increasing average Medicare Advantage premiums in Minnesota.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYO CLINC:

“Mayo Clinic participates in Traditional Medicare (Parts A, B, and D), and Medicare supplement plans. A substantial portion of the care we deliver each day serves patients with Medicare coverage. While Mayo Clinic does participate in some contracted Medicare Advantage plans, it is out of network for most Medicare Advantage plans.

It’s open enrollment season for both employees and retirees, and as you begin to look at health insurance options, experts say you can expect employer-sponsored health plans to jump between 6% and 7%

Minnesota Democrats are sounding the alarm.

“We are in an affordability crisis in Minnesota right now. People are seeing their costs skyrocket across the board, and that’s why it’s unconscionable that this fall we are up to 50% increases in health care premiums for Minnesotans,” said Rep. Jamie Long, D-Minneapolis.

“Almost 90,000 will see their premiums spike up,” said Sen. Alice Mann, D-Edina. “Health care costs are going to increase for everyone.”

But even if you get your health care through your job or labor union, you’ll likely be paying higher prices.

“Costs sort of always go up in health care at a rate roughly faster than inflation. That’s been true for the last 20 years,” said Matthew Rae, associate director of the program on the health care marketplace at KFF, an independent health policy research, polling and news organization.

KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey says family premiums are up 6% over last year, reaching a record high.

“When we ask employers what they’re seeing as sort of cost drivers, they tell us new prescription drugs are a big driver of health care prices,” Rae said. “You can’t ignore prices. What happens is as prices go up, hospitals charge more money, doctors charge more money. All of that gets fed back into higher premiums, and we all end up paying for it.”

When choosing your plan, make sure it covers the types of services you need and find in-network doctors.

If you’re healthy, you may want to consider a high-deductible plan, which would offer lower monthly premiums.