December 15, 2014

MNSURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNsure Extends Enrollment Deadline for January 1 Coverage to December 20 at 4:30 p.m.

Decision made in response to insurance companies extending January 1 enrollment deadline, not because of technical issues

ST. PAUL, Minn.—In an effort to provide more time for Minnesotans who qualify for financial help available only through MNsure, the organization today announced it would extend the enrollment deadline for January 1 coverage.

Minnesotans must now enroll in coverage through MNsure by 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, to have their plan effective on January 1, 2015. The change comes at a time of historic interest in MNsure and as many health insurance companies recently extended their own enrollment deadlines for January 1 coverage.

“The best interest of the consumer is always first and foremost in our minds,” said CEO Scott Leitz. “We want to give Minnesotans that qualify for financial help as much time as possible to enroll in January 1 coverage.”

The enrollment deadline extension for January 1 coverage is not in response to any system issues or technical problems.

“The MNsure system continues to be stable and the vast majority of people coming through the system are doing so without issue,” said Leitz. “This change is simply to allow folks that qualify for financial help more time.”

Calls to the MNsure Contact Center on December 15 are averaging 1,600 per hour, a historically high number. Average wait time for callers is 20 minutes.

“The demand for health insurance coverage is higher than ever before,” said Leitz. “We don’t want to leave anyone behind, especially if they qualify for financial help. We’re hopeful this extra week of enrollment will result in more people getting the health coverage and financial help they need.”

Today’s announcement does not impact those found eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. The deadline for January 1 coverage in those programs remains December 31, 2014.

Open enrollment for 2015 coverage began November 15, 2014, and ends February 15, 2015. Minnesotans eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare can enroll year round. As of May 2014, 95 percent of Minnesotans have health coverage—the highest percentage in state history.

                                                                                                 -###-