NORTH DAKOTA (Valley News Live) — North Dakotans enrolled in Affordable Care Act individual and small group plans can expect their health insurance premiums to go up in 2027, Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread announced Monday.
Godfread said rising health care costs are the primary reason behind the increases.
“Families and small businesses are right to be frustrated by another increase in their health insurance premiums,” Godfread said. “At the heart of this problem is the cost of receiving health care. When hospital care, medical services and prescription drugs become more expensive, the cost of insuring that care rises, too. We cannot deliver lasting relief on insurance premiums without addressing the bills those premiums pay.”
Insurance companies are required to submit filings that include their rates to the North Dakota Insurance & Securities Department. State law gives the commissioner the authority to approve or adjust the rates companies request. The commissioner balances consumers’ interest in affordable premiums with ensuring insurance companies remain financially sound.
“Protecting consumers means scrutinizing what insurers charge and making sure they pay claims when people need care,” Godfread said. “We review the insurers’ financial condition, claims costs, administrative expenses and profit margins, and we reduced several of their requested increases for 2027. The unfortunate reality is that premiums must cover the expected cost of providing coverage. These approved rates reflect what our review determined is necessary to meet those obligations and maintain financially sound companies that North Dakotans can depend on.”
Approved rate changes by company
For the 2027 ACA small group market, approved average rate increases are:
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company: 11.28%Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota: 9.50%Sanford Health Plan: 18.34%Medica Insurance Company: 17.49% (requested 18.96%)
For the 2027 ACA individual market, approved average rate increases are:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota: 19.00% (requested 21.40%)Sanford Health Plan: 7.03%Medica Health Plan: 13.27% (requested 17.01%)
Godfread said each consumer is different, but they can expect to see rate changes near the average approved amount.
“Insurance companies face extensive oversight from state regulators, and we will continue holding them accountable for their rates and financial practices,” Godfread said. “But the affordability discussion cannot stop with the insurance company. We need to ask hard questions about hospital prices, the cost of delivering care and why those bills keep growing. Insurers, hospitals, other providers and policymakers all have a responsibility to help make healthcare more affordable. Families and small businesses cannot keep absorbing these increases.”
Open enrollment dates
Open enrollment for ACA plans runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. Consumers must enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage to begin Jan. 1. Plans can be reviewed and purchased through Healthcare.gov or a licensed agent.
More information is available from the North Dakota Insurance & Securities Department or by calling (701) 328-2440.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.