Navigating the Boundary Waters of Minnesota Health Insurance
Health care in Minnesota is the envy of all but a few other states in the nation. According to data collected by the AHIP, Minnesota’s astonishing uninsured rate of 9% ranks it 4th best in the country, while the Commonwealth Fund’s 2009 State Scorecard on Health System Performance – a comprehensive state by state examination of health care – ranked Minnesota’s overall health care system ahead every state except for Vermont, Hawaii, and Iowa. Even more encouraging for residents of the Land of 10,000 Lakes is the fact that the state of Minnesota’s health care system looks to be on the rise during a time when most other states are struggling to provide adequate health care for their residents. Case-in-point: Minnesota actually jumped 5 spots in the Commonwealth Fund’s State Scorecard rankings in just two years, from a 9th place finish in 2007 to the 4th place ranking in 2009.
The Secret of Minnesota’s Health Care Success Story
What accounts for the rosy outlook where Minnesota health insurance is concerned? The North Star State’s focus on ensuring health care coverage for its residents certainly has something to do with it. The Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) makes certain that Minnesotans who can’t find health insurance from private carriers can find coverage through other means, MinnesotaCare guarantees coverage for Minnesotans under 21 whose families meet specific income requirements, and SHIP and Minnesota Medical Assistance provide health insurance, health care, and health care counseling to elderly and less fortunate residents of the North Star State. More than anything else, however, it’s the commitment of the average Joe Minnesotan to healthy lifestyles and quality health care that tips the scales.
The Average Cost of a Minnesota Health Insurance Quote
What makes us so sure of that fact? Despite the above mentioned state sponsored initiatives, the United Health Fund has consistently ranked Minnesota as one of the top 10 healthiest states in the union, while data compiled by the AHIP shows that Minnesota ranks 1st in the nation when it comes to residents who purchase independent market insurance policies. In other words, Minnesotans place a premium on healthy lifestyles and obtaining quality Minnesota health insurance, regardless of what it costs them or how they go about it. As for the average Minnesota health insurance quote, here is the skinny according to studies done by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the AHIP:
- Independent Market Insurance in Minnesota —According to the AHIP, Minnesotans pay average annual premiums of $2,424 for individual market insurance for a single Minnesotan, and $5,508 for families. Those numbers are a shade lower than the national average premiums of $2,613 and $5,799 per year, respectively.
- Group Health Care in Minnesota —For those who get their health insurance through a group health care plan provided by an employer or other member organization, the rates are even more favorable. Minnesota residents covered by group plans pay average annual premiums of $891 for a single individual, and $3,279 for families, compared to the national averages of $882 and $3,394, respectively.
Getting the Best Rates on Your Minnesota Health Insurance Quote
As good as things are from a health insurance perspective in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s still possible to maximize your Minnesota health insurance dollar without sacrificing quality health insurance coverage. What’s the secret? Shop around. While it may sound overly simplistic in its approach, financial experts and consumer advocates alike stress that comparison shopping for health insurance is one of the single most effective ways to increase the quality of your insurance coverage while dropping your insurance premiums. Furthermore, taking advantage of free online quote providers like NetQuote.com allows you to compare premiums, plans, coverages, and providers without ever having to leave the comfort of your living room, den, or office. Health care and health insurance in Minnesota rank right up there with the best in the nation. There’s no reason that health insurance premiums in the North Star State shouldn’t follow suit.
