By Elizabeth Stawicki and Catharine Richert

MPR News, 90.1FM

ST. PAUL — Minnesota consumers will be able to buy a health plan for as little as $90.59 per month on MNsure, the new state health insurance marketplace, state Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman said Friday.

Data released today offered a first look at the new health insurance plans and rates that will be sold on MNsure. More than one million Minnesotans are expected to use the marketplace to obtain health coverage when it goes live in about three weeks, offering coverage that takes effect at the start of next year.

A family of four earning as much as $31,322 a year would be eligible for free health insurance across Minnesota.

Rothman said Minnesota has the lowest average rates for individuals and families compared to the other states that have revealed the cost of their plans (that includes 13 states and the District of Columbia, Kaiser Health News reports).

A total of 141 individual, family and business plans are expected to be offered from five companies – Blue Cross Blue Shield, HealthPartners, Medica, PreferredOne and UCare, MnSure said.

The plans are categorized by “metal level”, bronze silver gold and platinum based on the portion of a person’s health costs the plan will pay for. Rothman said all Minnesota counties will be served by at least two insurers.

The lowest-cost $90.59 policy is based on a 25 year-old, non-smoker living in the Twin Cities, the department said. The highest rate listed was $407.51 per month for a 60-year-old non-smoker in the Twin Cities enrolling in a “platinum plan.”

The rates unveiled today don’t include any financial aid or subsidies that might be available to some consumers. It also wasn’t immediately clear what the rates would be for Minnesotans who smoke.

For small group coverage, the sticker prices (not including a small business tax credit) for MNsure monthly plan costs range from $1,127 for a small business with five workers and a $20,000 average wage to $1,986 for the top plan with five employees earning $50,000 or more.

Officials did not have data comparing policies and prices available to Minnesota now compared to what would be offered in the MNsure marketplace.

Asked repeatedly if consumers would be saving money in the MNsure marketplace, Rothman said most individuals and families “will be able to find a product that is competitive” and for “many, many it will be less” even before any subsidies.

The MNsure premiums and marketplace drew criticism from Republicans Friday.