Minnesota: 9,400 enroll during #COVID19 Special Enrollment Period; others may still be able to #GetCovered

Wed, 04/22/2020 - 5:11pm

More than 9,400 Minnesotans Enrolled in Private Health Insurance Coverage During MNsure's COVID-19 Emergency Special Enrollment Period

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Last month, Governor Walz announced a 30-day emergency special enrollment period (SEP) for individuals who were uninsured in the wake of COVID-19. During that time, 9,482 Minnesotans enrolled in private health insurance plans through MNsure. The SEP ran from March 23 through April 21. Additionally, more than 13,700 applied for public health insurance programs during that time period.

Every Minnesotan deserves access to the health care they need—especially during the unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Tim Walz. “I am happy that we were able to offer the special enrollment period so more than 23,000 uninsured Minnesotans were able to enroll in health coverage. Minnesotans without coverage should keep coming to MNsure to see if they are eligible for other special enrollments or publicly funded health care programs with year-round enrollment like Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.”

"The biggest thing we want to emphasize is that coverage options are still available to those who qualify,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “While we were able to help many uninsured Minnesotans find coverage during this emergency special enrollment period, most people were eligible to enroll because they had a qualifying life event (such as job loss) or were eligible for a public program and those opportunities are still available. Be sure to check out MNsure.org to see if you can still enroll.”

Though MNsure's emergency special enrollment period has ended, there are still opportunities to enroll:

Low-cost or no-cost coverage through MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance is available for individuals earning up to $24,980 per year or for a family of four with a combined income of $51,500 or less per year. Enrollment in these programs is open year-round and provides comprehensive coverage. People with disabilities and people 65 or older have a different enrollment process and are encouraged to contact their county or tribe for assistance.

"While the need is particularly great as a result of COVID-19, Minnesotans should know they can apply for state health care programs at any time,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.

If you have recently lost or will lose your employer health insurance, you may still qualify to enroll for a special enrollment period. This special enrollment period is available year-round to qualifying individuals. To enroll, you must contact MNsure and pick a plan within 60 days of losing employer coverage. To avoid a gap in coverage, you can contact MNsure up to 60 days in advance of your employer’s plan ending to begin the enrollment process.

Minnesotans who experience another qualifying life event (such as marriage, birth or adoption of a child, or a move) may also be eligible to shop for coverage.

Enrolled members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe are eligible to enroll in a qualified health plan or change from one plan to another one time per month, year-round, including outside the annual open enrollment period.

All four medical insurance companies that sell private health insurance plans on MNsure, as well as all coverage through MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance, have waived co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles related to COVID-19 diagnostic testing, and cost sharing for in-network COVID-19 hospitalization.

By the numbers:

COVID-19 Emergency SEP enrollees: 6,023

All other SEP enrollees: 3,459

Applied for public programs through MNsure: 13,739

Total applying for coverage during SEP: 23,221

Call volume: 39,909

MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace where individuals and families can shop, compare and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. MNsure is the only place you can apply for financial help to lower the cost of your monthly insurance premium and out-of-pocket costs. Most Minnesotans who enroll through MNsure qualify for financial help.