FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Shane Delaney
Director of Communications and Marketing

ST. PAUL, Minn.-With more than two weeks of open enrollment in the books, more than 70 percent of Minnesotans enrolling in a private health insurance plan through MNsure are qualifying for financial help available only through the state-based health insurance marketplace. That's a nearly 20 percent increase over the number of people that qualified for financial help this year.

As of November 17, 23,181 Minnesotans have enrolled in health insurance coverage through MNsure. 6,864 are in a qualified health plan, 5,091 in MinnesotaCare and 11,226 in Medical Assistance. In addition, 363 Minnesotans have enrolled in a qualified dental plan through MNsure.

Of the 6,864 qualified health plan enrollees, 72 percent of them are eligible for an advanced premium tax credit, available only through MNsure. These tax credits act as immediate discounts on health insurance premiums, allowing Minnesotans to see an instant reduction in their monthly health insurance premium. About 55 percent of qualified health plan enrollees were eligible for advanced premium tax credits in 2015.

The first weeks of open enrollment have been strong and stable," MNsure CEO Allison O'Toole said. "For weeks we have been saying that MNsure is the only place to compare plans side-by-side and to qualify for financial help that can lessen or even eliminate large premium increases. I believe these enrollment numbers show that Minnesotans are getting the message and are taking advantage of all the benefits available to them through MNsure."

Open enrollment continues through January 31, 2016. Minnesotans looking for coverage to start on January 1, 2016, need to enroll by December 15, 2015. While that deadline is still four weeks away, MNsure is urging Minnesotans not to wait to enroll.

"Our navigator and broker partners are ready to help," O'Toole said. "If you're looking to get free, in-person enrollment help, do not wait until the last minute to enroll. Make that appointment now so you can get this important task done. We have an assister directory as well as a calendar of enrollment events available right on our homepage."

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.