FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ST. PAUL, Minn.—As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, MNsure today announced it is /about-us/rfp-contract/index.jspseeking proposals to upgrade key pieces of its technology platform. Specifically, MNsure is looking to improve the consumer-facing shopping functionality and the back end enrollment/system of record function. While MNsure enrollment has seen steady growth since its inception in 2013, and last year had record enrollment with over 120,000 Minnesotans signing up for coverage through the exchange, improving its technology is a top priority.

“Minnesotans deserve a technology system that makes shopping for health insurance as easy as possible,” said MNsure CEO Allison O’Toole. “While our current technology is serving the needs of Minnesotans, we can always do better. The technology market is changing rapidly and there are new possibilities out there we want to explore that may offer our customers a better experience.”

This request for proposal (RFP) builds off of a bipartisan suggestion from the 2015 Health Care Financing Task Force to explore technology options to improve MNsure’s IT. The first step in this process was a request for information (RFI) which was completed last winter, and helped define the contours of the current RFP.

The IBM/Curam eligibility system, also known as the Minnesota Eligibility System (METS) is not part of the RFP, though any successful proposal for the shopping and enrollment elements will need to seamlessly integrate with METS.

In addition to the shopping and enrollment/system of record functions, the RFP is asking for proposals for developing an online portal for small businesses to purchase coverage for their employees. This program, known as the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), is currently administered through a combination of manual and automated functions. SHOP serves approximately 3,000 Minnesotans.

Responses to the RFP are due June 30, 2017. MNsure anticipates work beginning later this summer, with the improvements available to consumers beginning November 1, 2018. Funding for these technology improvements comes from existing funds in the MNsure budget.