Godfread announces 2025 health insurance plan rate changes

The Bismarck Tribune, N.D.Bismarck Tribune

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread has announced health insurance rate changes approved for next year for individual and small group plans compliant with the Affordable Care Act.

“Insurance is a pool of funds that needs to be filled at a faster pace than what is being released. Because of the pace in costs imposed by health care providers and facilities, the pool is being drained at an unsustainable pace,” Godfread said. “This is the first time in my nearly eight years as insurance commissioner that all health insurance plans purchased on the market will see increased premiums. High costs impact those who purchase their health insurance, and it affects businesses in the state who offer health insurance as an employee benefit.”

Approved, average 2025 individual health plan rate increases for the major carriers in North Dakota are: Sanford Health Plan, 16.5%; Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, 15.94%; and Medica Health Plan, 4.6%.

Approved, average 2025 small group market rate increases for major carriers are: Blue Cross Blue Shield, 15.3%; Sanford Health Plan, 10.51%; UnitedHealthcare Insurance, 9.54%; and Medica Health Plan, 6.38%. HealthPartners withdrew from the market for 2025.

More than 50,000 North Dakotans are insured through the individual market. Open enrollment for plans under the Affordable Care Act will be from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Insurance Department.

For more information, go to insurance.nd.gov.

United Healthcare Beats Earning Expectations