FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator

ST. PAUL, Minn. —With less than a month to go before the final open enrollment deadline, MNsure is making sure consumers have access to people who can help them sign up for private health insurance plans, MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. Today, the state health insurance marketplace posted a list of locations where Minnesotans can go to get face-to-face assistance with enrollment. By the end of the month there will be more than 650 enrollment opportunities across the state.

“Our goal is to make sure that people have the help they need to enroll,” said interim CEO Scott Leitz. “Although the fastest and most efficient way to enroll is through MNsure’s online marketplace, a lot of people just do better when they have someone who can personally walk them through the process. That is what our ‘March to Enroll’ push is all about, making sure that everyone has access to the help they need.”

The enrollment opportunities are being provided by navigator organizations that are certified to help individuals and families enroll in health plans through the MNsure marketplace. Some of the enrollment opportunities are one-on-one meetings that are set up by appointment only. In other cases, enrollment events involving several navigators are held in locations like public libraries and community centers. A comprehensive list of enrollment opportunities will be maintained on the MNsure website and will be updated on a regular basis.

“This is a grassroots effort. We’re reaching out to people who need help in the communities where they live. The goal is to make sure that people get the help they need and in many cases that involves have a real person to sit with and explain how things work,” said Leitz.

To date, more than 112,000 Minnesotans have selected health insurance plans on the MNsure online marketplace. Under the Affordable Care Act, consumers must enroll in health insurance coverage by April 1, 2014, or face a penalty. Once the March 31 enrollment deadline has passed, individuals will not be able to enroll in health insurance plans until open enrollment begins next fall. Exceptions are allowed for people who have qualifying life events, or who qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.