FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn.-MNsure is offering a special enrollment period created especially to minimize the 2015 uninsured tax penalty and get Minnesotans into quality health coverage, but only 10 days remain to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity, which ends on April 30.

"Now that the tax filing deadline has passed, many Minnesotans found they had to pay a tax penalty for not having health insurance in 2014--and if they did not enroll into 2015 coverage, a significantly higher penalty awaits them next year," said CEO Scott Leitz. "I urge Minnesotans to get covered instead of paying the full fine. Use these last few days to enroll by April 30 and reduce the penalty for next year."

This special enrollment period minimizes the 2015 uninsured tax penalty for those who enroll by the end of April. At $325 per adult or two percent of your income-whichever is greater-Minnesotans who remain uninsured for the balance of 2015 will be writing a much bigger check come tax time next year. Consumers who did not enroll into 2014 health care coverage are still responsible for the 2014 tax penalty.

To take advantage of this special enrollment period, apply and enroll online at MNsure.org, call the MNsure Contact Center, and answer a few questions to confirm eligibility. Free help also is available from MNsure-certified navigators and brokers. Check out MNsure's assister directory to find partners statewide.

More information about this special enrollment period is located online at MNsure.org. Minnesotans with qualifying life events, such as marriage or the addition of a child to the family, may be eligible for MNsure's ongoing life events special enrollment period. Any consumer with questions should call the MNsure Contact Center at 855-366-7873.

Open enrollment for 2015 coverage began November 15, 2014, and ended 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. The 2016 open enrollment period is scheduled to begin November 1, 2015, and end on January 31, 2016.