FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Joe Campbell
Marketing and Communications Director

ST. PAUL, Minn.-MNsure today announced an effort complete with phone calls, postcards and emails to retain Minnesotans currently enrolled in plans no longer being offered on MNsure in 2015. The campaign launches with new data reinforcing that it is in the best interest of individuals in this circumstance to shop and compare health insurance plans through MNsure before December 15 in order to obtain coverage through a different plan starting January 1, 2015.

In September, PreferredOne announced it would not offer plans on MNsure for the 2015 coverage year. This means more than 23,000 Minnesotans currently enrolled in a PreferredOne policy through MNsure either have to find new coverage, or renew their current PreferredOne coverage at an increased rate, without the assistance of tax credits only available through MNsure. Four Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans and one HealthPartners plan are also being discontinued on MNsure, impacting approximately 5,000 people.

According to preliminary analysis by Wakely Consulting Group, those enrollees who had tax credits in 2014 and decide to renew their current PreferredOne plan no longer available through MNsure will see an average premium increase of 168 percent. The same analysis shows those enrollees who currently do not have tax credits and decide to keep their current plan no longer available through MNsure may see an average premium increase of 66 percent. Based on preliminary analysis, cost savings by purchasing a new plan through MNsure average $311 per month. A report from Wakely Consulting Group will be finalized next week.

"This preliminary analysis from Wakely Consulting confirms what we have been saying from the beginning: it is in the best interest of Minnesotans to shop and compare policies on MNsure," said CEO Scott Leitz. "MNsure is the only place to get financial help or to qualify for low-cost or no-cost plans. Minnesotans who purchased plans through MNsure and don't return to the exchange will no longer be eligible for financial help. That's why we want all enrollees to return to MNsure and find a new plan that fits their budget."

MNsure's outreach efforts are aimed at PreferredOne individuals with plans not offered on MNsure in 2015. Outreach staff has been calling current PreferredOne enrollees with the option to transfer them directly to a MNsure broker or navigator organization. Postcards will also arrive in mailboxes this week outlining steps to take to avoid the large premium increases. A broader email campaign will launch this week targeted at all individuals and families with a plan that is not being offered on MNsure in 2015.

"We are laser focused on helping consumers," said Leitz. "This is real money and it is crucial all Minnesotans who have enrolled through MNsure know about their options and take action before it is too late."

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.