More than 220,000 Minnesotans now have quality, affordable health insurance, thanks to the Affordable Care Act and MNsure, our state-based health insurance exchange where individual Minnesotans and small businesses can shop for, compare and enroll in health insurance.
As of May 19, 221,247 Minnesotans have signed up for health insurance through MNsure. MNsure has enrolled:
- 50,683 Minnesotans in Qualified Health Plans.
- 46,067 Minnesotans in MinnesotaCare.
- 124,497 Minnesotans in Medical Assistance.
Before MNsure launched, approximately 500,000 Minnesotans lacked health insurance and many were unable to afford coverage. Through MNsure, qualified Minnesotans can receive federal tax credits that lower the cost of coverage or enroll in affordable public health programs.
When the initial open enrollment period for individuals closed on March 31, more than 32,000 Minnesotans who started the process of enrollment were allowed to continue to identify their health insurance coverage options by April 22.
Enrollment is still open for Minnesotans eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, small employers using SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program), and members of a federally recognized Indian tribe. They may enroll in health insurance through MNsure at any time throughout the year.
Others must wait until the next open enrollment period opens on November 15, 2014, unless they experience a qualifying life event like marriage, the birth or adoption of a child, or loss of health insurance coverage.
If the second enrollment period is as successful as the first, MNsure will be well on the way toward ensuring that Minnesotans have affordable, quality health insurance.
-Amy Brugh