FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Today, MNsure announced 136,774 Minnesotans have enrolled in comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage through the state's health insurance marketplace, exceeding its open enrollment goal.

"We are thrilled that more than 136,000 Minnesotans have enrolled in quality, affordable coverage through MNsure," said interim CEO Scott Leitz. "We're not done yet. There are six days left in open enrollment and we want to make sure every Minnesotan has the ability to obtain health insurance coverage."

MNsure's original goal of enrolling 135,000 Minnesotans during the 2014 open enrollment period was established at the MNsure Board of Directors meeting on October 16, 2013.

To date, MNsure has enrolled 36,176 in a qualified health plan, 27,512 in MinnesotaCare and 73,086 in Medical Assistance.

Monday, March 31, is the final deadline to make plan selection and payment for coverage starting May 1, 2014. This is the last day to enroll in health insurance inside or outside of MNsure for coverage in 2014. Consumers who do not enroll in coverage by March 31 may also have to pay a tax penalty. The next open enrollment period begins on November 15, 2014.

This deadline does not apply to Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare recipients or participants in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP).

The MNsure Contact Center will remain open every day now through the end of open enrollment. Hours are Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Contact Center also will be open until midnight on Monday, March 31.

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.