MNsure Bulletin: update on health insurance rates & more

MNsure sent this bulletin at 09/21/2017 01:29 PM CDT

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September 21, 2017

Word from the CEO

As many of you may know Minnesota is poised to see small health insurance rate increases this year, and even reductions in many cases. This is good news for consumers.

However, these lower rates depend upon federal approval for a program called "reinsurance," passed by the Minnesota legislature earlier this year.

Right now we are still awaiting federal approval for this program and time is critical. Without it, insurance rates will be around 20 percent higher.

We are hoping to hear back from the federal government soon so Minnesotans can access lower health insurance rates. That's why federal approval of this program is so important for Minnesota families.

Minnesota’s leaders are united in our push for federal approval as soon as possible. Governor Dayton recently issued a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price expressing Minnesota's grave need for the program to be approved and Minnesota's congressional delegation is also working to get federal signoff.

When we know more we will share it with you. For more information, please see recent coverage in the Star Tribune.

Sincerely,

Allison O'Toole, CEO

Statewide Assister Assemblies Underway

This month, more than seven hundred MNsure-certified assisters (brokers and navigators) and support staff are attending one of nine assister assemblies throughout Minnesota to prepare for the upcoming open enrollment period.

Assemblies are being held in Brooklyn Center, Fergus Falls, Bemidji, Rochester, Mankato, Duluth, Saint Cloud, Marshall and Edina.

Assisters offer free in-person help with the MNsure application and enrollment. Find an assister near you.

Pictured: MNsure CEO Allison O'Toole speaking to assisters at the assembly in Rochester

Advisory Committee Call for Applications

Applicants are being sought to fill open seats on MNsure's Consumer and Small Employer Advisory Committee and on its Health Industry Advisory Committee.

The advisory committees provide guidance, advice and recommendations to the MNsure Board of Directors as it carries out its mission.

Minnesotans interested in serving on these committees must submit a resume and a completed application by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 12.

Free Help Available

Call the Contact Center at 1-855-366-7873 (or 651-539-2099) or send us a message on Facebook or Twitter.
(Due to privacy policy, not all questions can be handled via social media.)
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Get free enrollment help:
Find a navigator or broker in your community.

Find an enrollment event near you.

2017 Coverage Still Available through Special Enrollment

Big life events like getting married, having a baby, or losing insurance due to a layoff could make you eligible to get health insurance for 2017. Go to our website for a list of qualifying life events and find out how to apply for a special enrollment period. In most cases, you must enroll within 60 days of the event.

If you qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe, or are a small group employer, you can enroll through MNsure at any time of the year.

Upcoming Meetings

METS Executive Steering Committee Meeting
September 26, 10 a.m.–noon
Room 1100, Minnesota Senate Building, 95 University Ave. W., St. Paul

Consumer and Small Employer Advisory Committee Meeting
September 26, 2:30–5 p.m.
UCare, 500 Stinson Boulevard NE, Minneapolis

Health Industry Advisory Committee Meeting
September 28, 2:30–5 p.m.
UCare, 500 Stinson Boulevard NE, Minneapolis

All of the board meetings can be attended in person and are available online. MNsure is committed to accessibility and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities. Please submit your specific request for reasonable accommodations to AEO@MNsure.org at least two weeks in advance of the event date. We appreciate your interest in MNsure.