Minnesota: MNsure enrolls over 132K people, up 11% y/y with a month left to #GetCovered!

Via MNsure:

More Than 132k Minnesotans Will Have a Full Year of Quality, Comprehensive Health Insurance in 2024

A new early sign-up record as MNsure celebrates its ten-year anniversary

ST. PAUL, Minn.—MNsure is pleased to report that 132,789 Minnesotans signed up for 2024 health insurance through Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace between November 1 and December 15, 2023.

“Over 132,000 Minnesotans will welcome the new year with the peace of mind and security of a full year of high-quality, comprehensive coverage through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Libby Caulum.

This incredible start to MNsure’s annual enrollment period sets a new early enrollment record for the marketplace. Private health plan sign-ups have increased by 11% compared to the same time last year. With enhanced federal tax credits available only through MNsure, eligible families will save $6,750 in 2024, on average, and spend 5% less on private health plan premiums than they did this year.

“2023 marked the ten-year anniversary since MNsure was created by the Minnesota Legislature,” added Caulum. “As we wrap up the year, it is exciting to see how far Minnesota has come and recognize the incredible progress our state has made in the last ten years: our uninsured rate has been cut in half and more Minnesotans than ever before have access to health care and financial protection from unexpected injury or illness.”

Minnesotans who missed the December 15 deadline still have an opportunity to enroll in medical and dental coverage, but they must act now. MNsure encourages Minnesotans to sign up well before January 15, 2024 – the final deadline and last day of MNsure’s open enrollment. For consumers who sign up between December 16, 2023, and January 15, 2024, coverage will begin on February 1.

Free application and enrollment help is available from MNsure’s statewide network of certified brokers and navigators. Minnesotans can search the Assister Directory to connect with free, expert help in person, online, or over the phone. The open enrollment deadlines do not apply to Minnesotans who qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare or members of federally recognized tribes, who can enroll in health insurance through MNsure any time of year.

This is great, but the 11% higher y/y figure is a bit confusing to me, actually.

According to the official CMS 2023 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) Public Use File, MNsure enrolled 111,693 people thru 12/17 last year, or 2,376 per day. This year they've enrolled 132,789 people thru 12/15, or 2,951/day, which is over 24% higher year over year. For that matter, last year's final OEP enrollment tally was only 118,431, which means their current total is already over 12% higher.

However, MNsure has included small group plans and/or dental-only enrollees in the past, so that might explain the discrepancy. Either way it's still an impressive figure.