FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.- In an effort to raise awareness about the benefits available to students and young adults through MNsure, the organization is launching targeted outreach to this population during Higher Education Week, January 25-31.

What do student loans and medical bills have in common? They're both no fun to pay off, said CEO Scott Leitz. We're urging young Minnesotans to eliminate the potential for one of these financial pressures by getting quality, affordable health insurance coverage through MNsure.

MNsure has certified in-person assisters available in organizations that work on college campuses statewide. These organizations are able to explain the benefits of MNsure and to help facilitate enrollment. MNsure's outreach efforts this week will culminate with a national effort to reach out to young adults with National Youth Enrollment Day, January 29.

We all know that health insurance usually isn't the first thing on a young person's mind, but the risk of having something happen while not being insured is just too great, said Leitz. Young Minnesotans owe it to themselves to check out their coverage options on MNsure, and potentially get some help paying for that coverage.

To assist with Higher Education Week, MNsure is relying on the expertise of its partners already active in reaching out to these groups.

Century College is committed to ensuring that all of our students succeed. Supporting their health and wellness is essential to fulfilling our mission. Leveraging the resources and services of Portico, Campus Compact, and MNsure to help students provide for their health needs is Century's mission in action, said Katie Svoboda, director of advising, orientation and student engagement at Century College in White Bear Lake.

We're proud to serve Metro State students in helping them to gain answers and access to health insurance, said Angie Gerlach, MNsure-certified navigator at Q Health Connections, a division of Southside Community Health Services. Most of the students at Metro State are juggling many responsibilities including families, part-time work and an academic load. Their employers don't offer insurance. The students need to have access to quality, affordable health care in order to perform their best in school, and we make health a priority by bringing MNsure enrollment events to them throughout the year.

College students have many financial pressures in their life, with many working multiple jobs just to keep up with tuition, rent and other necessities. Health insurance is often something that gets left behind, said Kari Cooper, state chair at the Minnesota State University Student Association. We at MSUSA are encouraging all students to check out their health coverage options on MNsure because it's the only place to get financial help, as well as free, in-person enrollment assistance.

This coming week, MNsure partners will host enrollment events geared especially toward these communities.

MNsure Enrollment at Century College
3300 Century Avenue North, White Bear Lake
Monday, January 26, 1 - 4 p.m.
Counseling and Advising Office, Room 2410

MNsure Outreach at St. Cloud Technical and Community College
1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud
Monday, January 26 and Tuesday, January 27, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Table outside the cafeteria

MNsure Enrollment at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Wadena
405 Colfax Avenue Southwest, Wadena
Tuesday, January 27, 3 - 6 p.m.
Room S9

MNsure Enrollment at Minnesota State Community and Technical College - Detroit Lakes
900 Minnesota State Highway 34, Detroit Lakes
Wednesday, January 28, 3 - 6 p.m.
Room B140

MNsure Enrollment at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis
Tuesday, January 27 - Thursday, January 29, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
T-Building Second Floor Rotunda

MNsure Enrollment at Hennepin Tech - Brooklyn Park
9000 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park
Tuesday, January 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

MNsure Enrollment at Central Lakes College
501 West College Drive, Brainerd
Wednesday, January 28, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Upper level computer lab

MNsure Enrollment at Hennepin Tech - Eden Prairie
13100 College View Drive, Eden Prairie
Thursday, January 29, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

MNsure Outreach at Lake Superior College
2101 Trinity College, Duluth
Tuesday, January 27 and Thursday, January 29 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

MNsure Enrollment at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College
2101 14th Street, Cloquet
Friday, January 30, 1 - 3 p.m.

MNsure Enrollment at Pine Technical
900 Fourth St. SE, Pine City
Wednesday, January 28, 1 - 3 p.m.

MNsure Enrollment at Metro State University
1450 Energy Park Drive, St. Paul
Wednesday, January 28, noon - 2 p.m.

MNsure Outreach at Hibbing Community College
1515 E 25th St., Hibbing
Wednesday, January 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

MNsure Outreach at Mesabi Range College - Eveleth
1100 Industrial Park Dr., Eveleth
Thursday, January 29, 10 a.m - 12:30 p.m.

MNsure Outreach at Mesabi Range College - Virginia
1001 Chestnut St W., Virginia
Thursday, January 29, 1 - 3 p.m.

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.