Minnesota: 113K QHP selections thru 12/15; up 11% year over year!

Massachusetts isn't the only state running their own ACA exchange which has a lot to brag about today: Minnesota's exchange MNsure just posted this:

MNsure Reports More Than 113,000 Private Health Plan Sign-ups Following First Deadline
December 17, 2018

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Following the first deadline for 2019 coverage, 113,000 Minnesotans have signed up for private health coverage through MNsure. Saturday, December 15, was the deadline for coverage beginning January 1. Minnesotans have until January 13 to sign up for coverage starting February 1, 2019.

“We are excited that more than 113,000 Minnesotans have already signed up for comprehensive coverage through MNsure.org during our smoothest open enrollment to-date,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark.

Since the start of open enrollment, MNsure's Contact Center has fielded nearly 80,000 calls. In addition, there have been 1.2 million visits to MNsure.org and more than 175,000 plan comparison tool sessions.

“Minnesotans have until January 13 to take advantage of lower rates, which have decreased 7 to 27 percent on average,” said Clark. “Free, in-person assistance is available, along with tax credits that are, on average, saving Minnesota families more than $5,600 a year.”

In addition to more than 113,000 private health coverage sign-ups, MNsure has also received over 11,000 dental sign-ups.

MNsure's sixth open enrollment period runs November 1, 2018, to January 13, 2019. Individuals earning up to $48,560 a year, or a family of four earning up to $100,400 a year, could qualify for federal tax credits. Additional income guidelines are available on the MNsure website. MNsure's customer service guide is located here. More information can be found at mnsure.org.

Last fall MNsure reported enrolling 101,626 people in exchange-based Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) as of 12/15/17. This means they're running an impressive 11.2% ahead of last year so far, and are actually less than 3% behind last year's final total (around 3,300 enrollees). With 4 weeks left to go, breaking last year's final tally shouldn't be too much trouble.