FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, MN -Minnesotans in the Southeastern region of the state now have seven more health plans available to choose from at MNsure.org, MNsure announced today. The Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Minnesota Department of Health announced in October that they had worked with Medica to provide the additional plans in an area of the state that previously had limited choices in some zip codes.

"We are pleased to make it possible for Minnesotans in Olmsted and Dodge Counties to have greater access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance for themselves, their families or their employees through MNsure," said MNsure's Chief Operating Officer, Erik Larson. "We appreciate the action taken by the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Medica to provide a broad range of choices for consumers throughout the state."

Coverage choices now include two bronze, two silver, two gold and one catastrophic plan, and offer corresponding child plans.

MNsure representatives are available to answer questions about the new plans in the MNsure Contact Center at 1-855-3-MNSURE (1-855-366-7873). Assisters are also available in Olmsted and Dodge Counties to help consumers in person, and can be found online through the Assister Directory.

About MNsure

Beginning January 1, 2014, all U.S. citizens and legal residents will be required to have health insurance coverage. For those Minnesotans who are uninsured, underinsured or looking for new coverage choices, MNsure is a one-stop health insurance marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses will be able to get quality health coverage at the lowest rates in the country. MNsure will empower more than 1 million Minnesotans to compare, choose and get help finding health care coverage. It will facilitate enrollment in public and private health insurance, determine eligibility for premium tax credits and allow Minnesotans to shop and compare between health care coverage options.

Open enrollment through MNsure began October 1, 2013, and runs through March 31, 2014. For more information about MNsure, how it will benefit Minnesota consumers and businesses and how to provide input visit mnsure.org.