December 19, 2014

MNSURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNsure Extends Enrollment Deadline for January 1 Coverage to December 31

Decision follows transfer of enrollment information to insurance carriers and aligns enrollment deadlines for January 1 coverage

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 to December 31 for January 1 coverage.

Minnesotans must now enroll in coverage through MNsure by noon on Wednesday, December 31, to have their coverage effective on January 1, 2015. The change comes at a time of high interest in MNsure and as many health insurance companies recently extended their own enrollment deadlines for January 1 coverage.

“In a continuing effort to minimize consumer confusion, there is now one deadline across the state of Minnesota for health insurance coverage beginning January 1,” said CEO Scott Leitz. “I appreciate the cooperation and flexibility of the health plans as we continue to transfer enrollment data to them. Working together provides Minnesotans with the most simplified process to obtain health coverage by January 1.”

Even with this second deadline extension, MNsure is strongly urging Minnesotans not to wait until the last minute to enroll in health coverage. Calls to the MNsure Contact Center on December 15 averaged 1,600 per hour, a historically high number.

MNsure is aware of some irregularity in enrollment information sent to the health plans, and the plans will need extra time to process the data they receive. It is extremely unlikely that if a consumer waits to enroll in health insurance coverage, that they will have an insurance ID card in hand by January 1.

“Rest assured, if you enroll by the deadline on December 31 and pay your insurance company in full by your invoice due date, you will still be covered. However, it is in the best interest of all Minnesotans to enroll as soon as possible and to not wait," said Leitz.

Today’s announcement does not impact those found eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.

Between today and December 31, MNsure will perform previously scheduled system maintenance which may require the online marketplace to go offline for set periods of time. These periods of system maintenance will be announced and posted to MNsure.org as they occur. The next planned system maintenance will likely take place between 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 20, and 6 a.m. on Monday, December 22.

As of Thursday, 52,898 Minnesotans have successfully enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage. 24,893 have enrolled in a Qualified Health Plan, 8,397 have enrolled in MinnesotaCare and 19,608 have enrolled in Medical Assistance.

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.

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