January 16, 2015

MNSURE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MNsure Packs Next 30 Days with Targeted Outreach, Updated Marketing

Open enrollment concludes February 15; more than 97,000 enrolled by January 15

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Starting this month, MNsure is ramping up its efforts to reach Minnesotans who have yet to enroll in health coverage through the health insurance marketplace. February 15 marks the end of the open enrollment period, and most Minnesotans will no longer be able to enroll into commercial coverage after that deadline passes.

“There are now only 30 days left to enroll into commercial coverage before the open enrollment period ends, and we have adjusted our outreach accordingly, to drive home this message,” said CEO Scott Leitz. “Once the open enrollment period concludes on February 15, only those eligible for MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance or consumers with qualifying life events will be able to enroll through MNsure. Make these next 30 days count—get covered.”

Updated MNsure advertisements will air on television and radio calling out the February 15 deadline. MNsure’s mobile campaign, including the “text ENROLL to 30644” feature, has more than 800 subscribers and has shown steady growth since its introduction.

Minnesotans will find MNsure partners and outreach staff at more than 1,000 enrollment and outreach opportunities throughout the state at colleges, libraries and MNsure partner offices. Events also will be held in bars and restaurants—not only to engage Minnesotans who patronize these establishments, but also to connect with the women and men who work in the hospitality industry and who may have found health insurance unaffordable in the past. To reach even more Minnesotans living without coverage, MNsure brokers will staff a kiosk at the Mall of America to assist MOA employees and customers with MNsure questions and enrollment.

“Getting free help from a MNsure enrollment expert is easy when those experts can be found in your community. In addition to the navigators and brokers who are located throughout the state, we’ve created more than a thousand enrollment opportunities in a variety of venues over the next 30 days,” added Leitz. “Add to that our updated marketing and reminders that February 15 is the end of open enrollment, and we’re hopeful that Minnesotans will heed the call to get enrolled.”

As of end of day January 15, 97,922 Minnesotans had enrolled in health coverage through MNsure. 43,461 enrolled into commercial coverage, 16,056 newly enrolled into MinnesotaCare and 38,405 newly enrolled into Medical Assistance. These numbers are preliminary and will be updated.

MNsure’s Contact Center received 185,912 total calls between November 15, 2014, and January 15, 2015, and received 28,424 calls between January 1 and January 15.  Wait times have remained far lower during the current open enrollment period over last year, averaging about one minute so far this month. 

The Contact Center will be open regular hours, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., on Monday, January 19, although the MNsure business offices will be closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

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.

                                                                                                 -###-