FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator
jenni.bowring-mcdonough@state.mn.us
651.539.1976

ST. PAUL, Minn.-MNsure is teaming up with CVS/pharmacy and Thrifty White Pharmacy to provide enrollment information at more than 50 CVS and Thrifty White pharmacies across Minnesota as part of MNsure's Pharmacy Week, December 6 - 12, 2014, in advance of the December 15 deadline for January 1, 2015 coverage.

"We know that for many Minnesotans, their pharmacy is an extension of their doctor's office, providing relevant health information," said CEO Scott Leitz. "With all MNsure plans offering prescription drug coverage, we feel it is important for Minnesotans to know about this benefit so they can get the medication they need when it is prescribed."

MNsure enrollment information will be available at CVS/pharmacy locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul and Duluth metro areas and at Thrifty White Pharmacy locations across greater Minnesota. These education and outreach events are occurring one week before the December 15 deadline for January 1, 2015 coverage.

Both companies say teaming up with MNsure is just another way to spread awareness about obtaining quality, affordable health insurance coverage.

"Being a pharmacist, your main job is to really make sure people are using the medications the way they should, and that they have access to the medications," said Alaina Just, pharmacist at Thrifty White Pharmacy. "With MNsure, it's encouraging for me to see that people have the opportunity from the beginning to look at what they want out of healthcare."

Connecting our customers with informative and accessible resources about the health insurance options in their community aligns with our purpose of helping people on their path to better health, so we are very pleased to partner with MNsure to help our Minnesota customers find an insurance plan that fits their needs, said Brian Garish, Area Vice President of CVS/pharmacy.

The list of education and outreach events at CVS and Thrifty White locations can be found on the MNsure Enrollment Opportunities calendar. A MNsure-certified navigator and/or broker will be at each event to answer questions or to schedule in-person enrollment appointments at a future date.

Open enrollment for 2015 coverage began November 15, 2014, and ends 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.