FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-The latest enrollment figures shared today by MNsure show that 67,805 Minnesotans have successfully enrolled in new health insurance plans through MNsure as of December 31, 2013. This total represents a jump of more than 14,600 in the last four days of December.

As of December 31, enrollment in qualified health plans, or private plans, jumped to 25,860. Enrollment in MinnesotaCare grew to 15,997, and enrollment in Medical Assistance to 25,948. The number of accounts created by January 1 grew to 113,443.

These statistics are preliminary and will be reconciled later in the month as more enrollment data becomes available.

MNsure Interim Chief Executive Officer Scott Leitz welcomed the news while reiterating the organization's focus on continuing to improve the performance of the marketplace website and associated customer services.

"This uptick in enrollments is an encouraging sign," Leitz said. "Even amid all the challenges of the last few weeks, many thousands of Minnesotans are taking action to benefit from lower insurance premiums and better coverage terms. Our job in the weeks ahead will be to make it easier for more people to do the same."

Meanwhile, MNsure continues efforts to eliminate the technology glitches that have frustrated citizens seeking to use the marketplace to research, select and pay for comprehensive, affordable health coverage. From 8 p.m. on Friday, January 3, through Sunday, January 5, the account and application services at MNsure.org will be taken off line to add system improvements expected to improve aspects of the user experience.

About MNsure
Beginning January 1, 2014, all U.S. citizens and legal residents are required to have health insurance coverage. For those Minnesotans who are uninsured, underinsured or looking for new coverage choices, MNsure is a one-stop health insurance marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses will be able to get quality health coverage at the lowest rates in the country. It will facilitate enrollment in public and private health insurance, determine eligibility for premium tax credits and allow Minnesotans to shop and compare between health care coverage options.

Open enrollment through MNsure began October 1, 2013, and runs through March 31, 2014. For more information about MNsure, how it will benefit Minnesota consumers and businesses and how to provide input visit mnsure.org.