Why Does Health Insurance Cost 50% More in Our Part of Minnesota?

Albert Lea is just an 82-mile drive from Apple Valley, but the gap in health insurance premiums between these two Minnesota communities is enormous.

For an identical policy (same deductible, same max out-of-pocket) from the same insurance company, monthly premiums are typically at least 50% higher in Albert Lea than in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan or any other Twin Cities metro-area community.

The same is true for other southern Minnesota communities including Austin, Dodge Center, Faribault, Kasson, Owatonna, Rochester, Stewartville, Waseca and Winona.

Prices for health insurance in all of these communities are 50-60% (or more) higher than in the Twin Cities.

Want proof?

I went on the MnSure.org website today and compared rates and available plans for my wife Lisa and me, both aged 62, without considering tax credits. I wanted to know what the real cost would be for 2026.

Here's the plan we picked:

For a Medica plan with a $5,000 per person deductible and $21,200 out-of-pocket max, the premiums are $2,657.36 a month, or $31,888.32 per year!

In Apple Valley, the same plan for people of the same age from the same company with the same deductible and the same out-of-pocket max has a very different monthly premium:

The cost in Albert Lea, Austin, Rochester and neighboring communities is $1,026.34 per month higher than for Apple Valley, Burnsville or other metro cities.

That's more than $12,300 extra per year!

Why?

What explains this difference of nearly 63%?

Health insurance costs more here because health care costs more here.

Insurance premiums simply reflect how much the companies are paying out in claims.

What do they have in the Twin Cities that we haven't had in southern Minnesota?

Choices.

Competition.

Without choices and meaningful competition, there's no practical limit to prices.

Want to take charge?

We started HELPcare Clinic in Austin almost four years ago to provide a new choice for primary care. We also have a clinic in Rochester, and will be opening Jan. 5 in Albert Lea.

At HELPcare Clinic:

• You're a member, not a number.
• You get affordable, unhurried primary care.
• We HELP you take charge of your health.

Through our membership-based plans, we also HELP you take charge of your health care and health insurance costs.

Many people with high-deductible health plans avoid going to the doctor at all, because they're afraid of the out-of-pocket costs.

With HELPcare Premier membership you can have peace of mind getting the care you need when you need it, because office visits and most lab tests are included, and there's never a surprise bill.

We also have HELPcare Basic for those with fewer health needs, and HELPcare Access as a way to experience the HELPcare Clinic difference for yourself and pay-as-you-go, but at much lower rates than hospital-based primary care.

And if you're an employer, you can give your employees better care, including $0 out-of-pocket options, while also reducing your premiums and their payroll deductions, through our Health Insurance with HELPcare plans. See how Mower County saved on its health plan for employees and dependents.

Call our Membership Line at (507) 418-8465 or fill out the form below to start Taking Charge!

Share this:

Lee Aase

Lee Aase is the founder of HELPcare LLC, which provides comprehensive membership, marketing and management services for provider-owned HELPcare Clinics, as well as metabolic health education and coaching for people interested in restoring health and reversing disease through lifestyle changes. Lee and his wife Lisa live in Austin, MN and have six married children and 19 grandchildren.