FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Only four days remain for Minnesotans to take advantage of MNsure's special enrollment period, created to minimize the tax penalty for 2015 and allow enrollment into health coverage for the rest of this year. This limited-time opportunity ends April 30.

Minnesotans who paid a 2014 tax penalty for being uninsured can still get coverage for the balance of this year, with the added advantage of minimizing the uninsured tax penalty when they file their 2015 returns. The 2015 tax penalty-$325 per adult or two percent of your income, whichever is greater-is much higher than the 2014 penalty. Consumers who did not enroll into 2014 health care coverage will still be responsible for the 2014 tax penalty.

"It couldn't be easier to take advantage of this opportunity, and I encourage anyone who had to pay the uninsured tax penalty in 2014 and didn't yet enroll into 2015 coverage to take action," said CEO Scott Leitz. "Don't pay more than you have to when you file next year's tax return-get covered!"

Consumers need only to complete a few steps to take advantage of this special enrollment period. Apply and enroll online at MNsure.org, call the MNsure Contact Center and answer a few questions to confirm eligibility.

Free help also is available from MNsure-certified navigators and brokers. Check out MNsure's assister directory to find partners statewide.

More information about this special enrollment period is located online at MNsure.org. Minnesotans with qualifying life events, such as marriage or the addition of a child to the family, may be eligible for MNsure's ongoing life events special enrollment period. Any consumer with questions should call the MNsure Contact Center at 855-366-7873.

Open enrollment for 2015 coverage began November 15, 2014, and ended 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. The 2016 open enrollment period is scheduled to begin November 1, 2015, and end on January 31, 2016.