FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Today, MNsure announced more than 113,000 Minnesotans have enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage through the state's new health insurance marketplace.

"More and more Minnesotans continue to secure health insurance coverage through MNsure, with many getting coverage for the first time," said interim CEO Scott Leitz. "We are happy with the number of people we have enrolled so far, but we're not done working yet. There are more than three weeks remaining in open enrollment, and we want to make sure every Minnesotan that wants quality, affordable coverage gets it."

Of those Minnesotans purchasing a qualified health plan (QHP), 42 percent have chosen a robust gold or platinum plan. MNsure originally projected just 25 percent of QHP enrollments would be in these two categories. MNsure credits this trend to consumers being able to easily compare plans side-by-side, as well as Minnesota having the lowest health insurance rates in the country.

MNsure is also continuing to show signs of improved system stability. MNsure Contact Center hold times now average less than 60 seconds, down from three minutes in February and 60 minutes or more in December. Website error rates are down to their lowest points ever, and pending applications have dropped by more than 95 percent since December.

"From top to bottom, MNsure is making improvements and better serving the people of Minnesota. If you haven't yet enrolled in health insurance coverage, now is the time to visit us and explore your options," Leitz said.

All plans sold through MNsure cover important benefits such as preventive care, doctors' visits, hospitalizations, prescriptions, ER services, maternity care and more. Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied, and there are no lifetime limits on coverage. Financial assistance is available to help pay monthly insurance premiums. A single individual earning up to $45,960/year, or a family of four earning up to $94,200/year could qualify.

Open enrollment ends on March 31, 2014. This is the last day to enroll in health insurance inside or outside of MNsure before the next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014, and to avoid a tax penalty. This deadline does not apply to Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare recipients or participants in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).