FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Shane Delaney
Director of Communications and Marketing

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Today, MNsure announced 67,680 Minnesotans enrolled in a qualified health plan through the state-based marketplace between November 1 and December 28, 2015. MNsure's goal is to enroll 83,000 Minnesotans in a qualified health plan by January 31, 2016, the end of the open enrollment period. In addition, 15,072 Minnesotans have enrolled in MinnesotaCare, 35,153 in Medical Assistance and 5,597 in a qualified dental plan since November 1. These numbers are preliminary and are not yet final.

"These preliminary enrollment numbers are very encouraging," said CEO Allison O'Toole. "We have more private plan enrollees now than we did at the end of the last open enrollment period. The message of MNsure saving people money is resonating. We will continue to work aggressively toward meeting our enrollment goals."

Of the 67,680 qualified health plan enrollees, approximately 40 percent are new to MNsure. The remaining are renewals from the 2015 coverage year.

While the deadline for January 1 coverage has passed, Minnesotans still have until January 31 to see if they may qualify for financial help available only through MNsure, and enroll in coverage.

"Open enrollment is not over. There is still time to take advantage of the real savings MNsure offers to Minnesotans," said O'Toole. "If you're still contemplating your health insurance coverage options, you have until January 31 to see if MNsure can save you or your family real money."

One year ago, on January 1, 2015, MNsure had 28,217 enrollees in a private health insurance plan, and ended up enrolling 60,092 when open enrollment ended on February 15, 2015.

The 2016 open enrollment period began November 1, 2015, and will end on January 31, 2016. Small group employers and 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.