FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Shane Delaney
Lead Communications Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-King v. Burwell, a pending case before the United States Supreme Court, will have no impact in Minnesota, a result of the Minnesota legislature establishing MNsure as a state-based exchange.

"Minnesotans can rest assured that regardless of the decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court in the King v. Burwell case, there will not be any impact in Minnesota," said interim CEO Allison O'Toole. "Minnesotans who receive tax credits or cost-sharing reductions are not in danger of losing those benefits with this ruling."

King v. Burwell (U.S. Supreme Court Case) is a challenge to a component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, individuals can purchase health insurance through online exchanges or marketplaces that may be run either by states or the federal government. It also authorizes advanced premium tax credits for individuals who purchase insurance on the exchange and qualify for a tax credit. The plaintiff in this case argues that these tax credits should only be available through state-based marketplaces, not the federally facilitated marketplace HealthCare.gov. In Minnesota, MNsure is a health insurance exchange run by the state. Minnesota is one of 14 states currently running a state-based exchange.

"Last year, Minnesotans enrolled in qualified health plans through the state marketplace received nearly $31 million in tax credits to reduce their health insurance premiums," continued O'Toole. "Fortunately, regardless of what the Court decides, Minnesotans enrolling in a plan through MNsure will continue to have access to tax credits that help make insurance coverage affordable."

A decision by the Supreme Court in King v. Burwell is expected before the end of June.

The 2016 open enrollment period is scheduled to begin November 1, 2015, and end on January 31, 2016. 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.