FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn. - More than 1,000 enrollment opportunities have been organized by MNsure-certified navigators during the month of March. MNsure's "March to Enroll" campaign continues to provide free, one-on-one enrollment assistance as the March 31 open enrollment deadline nears.

"Navigators are an essential part of MNsure," said interim CEO Scott Leitz. "We are thrilled these organizations have gone above and beyond during this final month of open enrollment to provide more than 1,000 opportunities across the state for in-person enrollment assistance."

In addition to the increased enrollment opportunities, MNsure also announced today more than 125,000 Minnesotans have enrolled in quality, affordable coverage through the state's health insurance marketplace. MNsure aims to enroll 135,000 by the March 31 deadline.

"The number of enrollees continues to increase each day," said Leitz. "Many of these people are securing coverage for the first time and no longer have to fear their next illness could cause financial hardship."

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).

To find March to Enroll opportunities near you, visit www.MNsure.org.

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.