Gap Health Insurance: Coverage Between Jobs in Minnesota
Lost your job or leaving your employer? Here's how to get medical insurance for unemployed workers—without paying more than you need to.
Compare Your Options
MNsure Marketplace
$0–$556/mo
With subsidies
COBRA
$767/mo avg
Full premium cost
MinnesotaCare
~$50/mo
If income qualifies
Critical Deadline
You have 60 days after losing employer coverage to enroll in a MNsure marketplace plan through special enrollment. Miss this window and you'll have to wait until the next open enrollment period (November–January).
If you lose employer health insurance in Minnesota, you have four main options: MNsure special enrollment (must apply within 60 days), COBRA continuation coverage, MinnesotaCare (if your income qualifies), or short-term health insurance plans (currently unavailable in Minnesota as of 2023). Whether you're wondering "how do I get medical insurance without a job" or looking for temporary health insurance between jobs, this guide covers all your health insurance gap coverage options. According to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 27 million Americans are uninsured, with the largest increases among adults ages 19-44—the group most likely to experience insurance between jobs.
What Are My Health Insurance Options Between Jobs?
Minnesota residents losing employer coverage have several pathways to maintain health insurance. If you need medical insurance for unemployed periods, the best option depends on your income, how long you need coverage, and whether you're mid-treatment with specific healthcare providers. Here's a complete comparison of gap health insurance options:
| Option | Monthly Cost | Enrollment Window | Duration | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNsure Marketplace | $0–$556/mo* | 60 days after losing coverage | 12 months (renewable) | Most people; subsidy-eligible |
| COBRA | $767/mo avg | 60 days to elect | 18–36 months | Keeping same doctors; mid-treatment |
| MinnesotaCare | ~$50/mo avg | Any time (no enrollment period) | As long as eligible | Low-income individuals |
| Medical Assistance | $0 | Any time (no enrollment period) | As long as eligible | Very low income; $0 coverage |
| Short-Term Plans | Not available in MN | — | — | — |
*MNsure costs shown reflect range from subsidized Bronze to unsubsidized Silver plans. Your actual cost depends on income, age, and location.
How Does COBRA Compare to MNsure Marketplace Plans?
COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) lets you continue your employer's exact health plan after leaving your job. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees. You pay 102% of the total premium—both the employee and employer portions, plus a 2% administrative fee. This makes COBRA one of the most expensive forms of health insurance gap coverage.
COBRA Coverage
- Keep your exact same plan and doctors
- Retroactive coverage—no gap if elected in time
- Keep credit toward deductible already paid
- Average $767/month in Minnesota
- No subsidies available to reduce cost
MNsure Marketplace
- Premium subsidies based on income
- Many people qualify for $0–$50/month plans
- Choose from 6 insurance carriers
- May need to switch doctors/network
- Deductible resets with new plan
Bottom Line
For most Minnesotans, MNsure marketplace plans are significantly cheaper than COBRA. According to ValuePenguin analysis, COBRA costs an average of $767/month in Minnesota while MNsure Silver plans average $556/month before subsidies—and many people pay far less after subsidies. Gold plans ($631/month) offer better coverage than most COBRA plans at a lower price.
When COBRA makes sense: Consider COBRA if you're in the middle of treatment (surgery recovery, cancer treatment, pregnancy), have already met your annual deductible, or only need 1-2 months of temporary health insurance between jobs.
Can I Get MinnesotaCare If I'm Unemployed?
Yes—and unemployment often makes you more likely to qualify. MinnesotaCare is Minnesota's low-cost health insurance program for residents who need medical insurance for unemployed periods but earn too much for Medicaid (Medical Assistance). According to DB101 Minnesota, the average premium for the lowest-cost MinnesotaCare plan is about $50/month in 2026.
2026 MinnesotaCare Income Limits
Individual (1 person)
$31,300/year
200% of Federal Poverty Level
Family of 4
$64,400/year
200% of Federal Poverty Level
Key MinnesotaCare benefits for unemployed Minnesotans:
- No enrollment period—apply any time of year
- No asset or savings limits (only income counts)
- Comprehensive coverage including prescriptions and mental health
- Small copays for most services
- Administered through the same MNsure application
If your income drops below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($21,597 for an individual in 2026), you may qualify for Medical Assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid), which has no monthly premium at all.
How Long Can I Go Without Health Insurance?
While there's no longer a federal tax penalty for being uninsured (the ACA individual mandate penalty was reduced to $0 in 2019), going without health insurance gap coverage is still risky. According to the HealthWell Foundation, an estimated 4.8 million Americans are expected to become uninsured in 2026 due to expiring enhanced subsidies.
Risks of Being Uninsured
- •A single ER visit can cost $2,000–$20,000+ without insurance
- •Hospital stays average $2,500/day; surgery can exceed $50,000
- •Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in America
- •Missing the 60-day special enrollment window means waiting until November–January open enrollment
The practical answer: You have a 60-day window to enroll in MNsure after losing employer coverage. If you miss this window, you'll need to wait until the annual open enrollment period (November 1 – January 15) unless you experience another qualifying life event. MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance have no enrollment periods, so you can apply anytime if your income qualifies.
What Is Short-Term Health Insurance?
Short-term health insurance is designed to provide temporary health insurance between jobs—like the gap between employer coverage. However, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce, no insurance carriers have offered short-term health plans in Minnesota since August 2023.
Important: Short-Term Plans Not Available in Minnesota
While Minnesota law allows short-term plans up to 6 months, the market currently has no active providers. If you need gap health insurance, your options are MNsure special enrollment, COBRA, or MinnesotaCare if you qualify.
Even when available, short-term plans had significant limitations:
- Pre-existing conditions not covered
- Pregnancy not covered if already pregnant when enrolling
- May exclude mental health, prescriptions, and preventive care
- Can deny coverage based on medical history
- Not considered "minimum essential coverage" under ACA
How Do I Apply for MNsure Special Enrollment?
According to MNsure, you can apply up to 60 days before losing coverage to avoid any gap, or within 60 days after your coverage ends. This special enrollment period is the best answer to "how do I get medical insurance without a job" for most Minnesotans.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- 1
Create a MNsure Account
Go to MNsure.org and create an account. Have your Social Security number and income information ready.
- 2
Complete the Application
Answer questions about household size, income, and current coverage. MNsure will determine if you qualify for subsidies, MinnesotaCare, or Medical Assistance.
- 3
Verify Your Qualifying Event
Upload documentation proving you lost coverage (termination letter, COBRA notice, or proof of last coverage date). Documents must show your name and coverage end date.
- 4
Select a Plan
Compare plans from 6 Minnesota insurers. Coverage typically starts the 1st of the month following your plan selection.
Need Help?
MNsure offers free assistance from certified navigators and brokers who can help you compare plans and complete enrollment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get health insurance after losing my job?
MNsure coverage can start as early as the first of the month following plan selection. If you apply before your coverage ends, you can avoid any gap. COBRA coverage is retroactive to your termination date once you elect it within the 60-day window.
Is COBRA worth the cost?
COBRA averages $767/month in Minnesota for individual coverage—significantly more than MNsure marketplace plans. COBRA is worth it if you're mid-treatment with specific providers, have already met your deductible, or only need coverage for a short period before new employer benefits start.
What counts as a qualifying life event for MNsure?
Losing employer-sponsored health coverage is a qualifying life event. Other events include moving to Minnesota, getting married or divorced, having a baby, turning 26 and aging off a parent's plan, or losing Medicaid/MinnesotaCare eligibility.
Can I buy health insurance and use it immediately?
MNsure plans typically start the first of the month after you enroll. If you enroll by the 15th of a month, coverage can start the 1st of the following month. COBRA is retroactive to your coverage end date, so there's technically no gap if you elect within 60 days.
How much does gap health insurance cost?
Costs vary significantly: COBRA averages $767/month in Minnesota. MNsure Bronze plans start around $216-448/month depending on age and location, but subsidies can reduce this to $0-50/month for many people. MinnesotaCare averages about $50/month for those who qualify.
What if I can't afford health insurance while unemployed?
If your income drops when unemployed, you may qualify for MinnesotaCare (up to $31,300/year for individuals) or even Medical Assistance (Medicaid). MNsure subsidies are also based on projected annual income, so unemployment often means larger premium discounts.
Can I apply for MNsure before I lose my job?
Yes. You can apply for MNsure special enrollment up to 60 days before your coverage ends. This allows your new coverage to start immediately after your employer coverage ends, avoiding any gap.
Is short-term health insurance available in Minnesota?
As of August 2023, no insurance carriers offer short-term health plans in Minnesota. While state law allows plans up to 6 months, the market has no active providers. MNsure special enrollment is the recommended alternative for temporary health insurance between jobs.
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
Navitize's AI assistant can analyze your specific situation—income, family size, healthcare needs—and recommend the best insurance between jobs. Compare COBRA vs. MNsure costs in seconds.
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Last updated: February 13, 2026. Information sourced from MNsure, Minnesota Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Labor, and other official sources. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Navitize is not affiliated with MNsure or any government agency.