Consumer assistance partners cannot be a health insurance issuer or issuer of stop loss insurance, a subsidiary of a health insurance issuer or issuer of stop loss insurance, or an association that includes members of, or lobbies on behalf of, the insurance industry.
Individuals who wish to assist consumers and gain access to MNsure must be affiliated with a navigator, in-person assister or certified application counselor organization. This does not apply to agents/brokers (insurance producers).
Consumer assistance partners must ensure no compensation is received directly or indirectly from any health insurance issuer in connection with the enrollment of any individuals or employees in a qualified health plan or a nonqualified health plan.
Navigators and CACs cannot make the decision for an application as to which qualified health plan (QHP) to select. However, navigators may facilitate a consumer's enrollment in a QHP by providing fair, impartial and accurate information that helps an individual make informed decisions for themselves. MNsure and the Minnesota Department of Commerce have issued a joint bulletin regarding the type of services a consumer assister partner can provide in relation to state law. Please reference this bulletin (PDF) for further details.
Yes. A consumer that applies using the “unassisted” path and enrolls in a QHP through MNsure may qualify for premium tax credits when they file their federal income tax return. All households who enroll in a QHP through MNsure, regardless of whether members of the household received financial assistance, will receive IRS Form 1095-A. When a consumer files a federal tax return, they must use the 1095-A to claim the premium tax credit.
In order for the consumer to receive advanced premium tax credits, the consumer will need to contact MNsure so we can close their case and have them reapply using the “assisted” application. If eligible, the consumer can then receive advanced premium tax credits for the remainder of the plan year.
