Minnesota

via MNsure:

Minnesota Department of Commerce and MNsure, Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, are issuing a joint public service announcement alerting consumers to be aware of scams targeting Minnesotans who are no longer eligible for Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program).

This alert is specifically for Minnesotans who submitted their Medical Assistance renewal paperwork, found out they do not qualify for the program, and need to find new health insurance. When trying to buy health insurance, they may be vulnerable to scams from someone pretending to be MNsure that sells them a bogus insurance product. In some cases, scammers have taken money from consumers by saying they must pay for help enrolling in a plan or asking them to pay for premiums up front over the phone.

“Consumers should be on the alert for health insurance scams, including people claiming to represent MNsure who are not legitimate. MNsure.org is the safest place for consumers to shop for and buy health insurance with confidence or connect with a trusted, MNsure-certified assister for free application and enrollment help,” said CEO Libby Caulum.

via MNsure:

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program was created in 2020 to help Minnesotans who face difficulty affording their insulin. During the 2023 legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature made important changes to the program that will improve access to this life-saving drug for undocumented Minnesotans who are struggling to afford their insulin.

Starting August 1, 2023, Minnesotans can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) as an accepted form of identification for program eligibility. This change provides a pathway to access the program for those who do not have a valid Minnesota identification card, driver’s license or permit, or tribal-issued identification. For minors under the age of 18 who need help affording insulin, a parent or legal guardian can use an ITIN as an accepted form of identification.

via MNsure:

ST. PAUL, Minn.—As roughly 1.5 million Minnesotans who currently have Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) or MinnesotaCare coverage are scheduled to go through the eligibility renewal process over the next year, some will find out they are no longer eligible for these public health care programs and need to find new health insurance. Minnesota’s official health insurance marketplace, MNsure, is here to help those Minnesotans find new coverage.

“If you learn you no longer qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare coverage, you may have more health insurance options than you think,” said MNsure CEO Libby Caulum. “MNsure is here to help you and your family understand your options, apply for discounts to save money on monthly premiums, and make a smooth transition to a private health plan if you’re eligible. We can help you find new coverage so you can keep getting the care you need.”

via the Minnesota Commerce Dept:

Individual Market PROPOSED Average Rate Changes

The summary table below provides an overview of the proposed average rate changes from 2023 in the individual health insurance market, as reported by the insurers. 

These rate changes do not reflect the impact of federal premium tax credits that are available to eligible Minnesotans who purchase their coverage through MNsure.

It is important to note these are the initial rates proposed by the insurers and filed with the Departments. Rates are subject to review and approval by the Departments and the final approved rates may vary from these proposed rates for many reasons. 

Additionally, the actual rate change a consumer will experience in 2024 can vary from the average – with factors such as specific plan, geographic rating area, age, and federal premium tax credits playing a major role. 

Small Group Market Proposed Average Rate Changes

This is an updated version of a similar post from last month, when the legislation passed the MN Senate.

As I've written about several times, recently New Mexico passed (and Gov. Lujan Grisham signed) the first "true" Public Option bill, which will allow any permanent New Mexico resident to enroll in Medicaid regardless of income via a sliding premium scale. Today there's big Public Option news in another state: Minnesota.

The main distinction between the New Mexico and Minnesota approaches has to do with which existing publicly-funded healthcare program they're based on. While New Mexico went with Medicaid (which half the state's population is already enrolled in anyway), Minnesota is basing theirs on their Basic Health Plan program, MinnesotaCare. I first wrote about this back in February.

via MNsure:

New Opportunity To Enroll Through MNsure for Minnesotans With Unaffordable Job-Based Family Health Insurance

  • Special enrollment period open through October 31, 2023

ST. PAUL, Minn.—MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, is offering a special enrollment period (SEP) for Minnesotans who are currently enrolled in unaffordable family insurance through an employer with a renewal date other than January 1.

Under a new IRS rule, related household members who are covered by a family member’s employer-sponsored health insurance may be newly eligible to receive advanced premium tax credits through MNsure that lower the cost of private health plans. As a result, some eligible household members may be able to find a better deal on health insurance by shopping for a private plan through MNsure and saving on monthly premiums with a tax credit.

As I've written about several times, last month New Mexico passed (and Gov. Lujan Grisham signed) the first "true" Public Option bill, which will allow any permanent New Mexico resident to enroll in Medicaid regardless of income via a sliding premium scale. Today there's big Public Option news in another state: Minnesota.

The main distinction between the New Mexico and Minnesota approaches has to do with which existing publicly-funded healthcare program they're based on. While New Mexico went with Medicaid (which half the state's population is already enrolled in anyway), Minnesota is basing theirs on their Basic Health Plan program, MinnesotaCare. I first wrote about this back in February.

As Louise Norris explained:

Minnesota

There's been a LOT of buzz among healthcare wonks over the past week about major developments happening with the ACA's Basic Health Plan (BHP) programs in both Minnesota and New York State. This article is about Minnesota; I'll post about what's happening in New York separately.

As Louise Norris explains:

Under the ACA, most states have expanded Medicaid to people with income up to 138 percent of the poverty level. But people with incomes very close to the Medicaid eligibility cutoff frequently experience changes in income that result in switching from Medicaid to ACA’s qualified health plans (QHPs) and back. This “churning” creates fluctuating healthcare costs and premiums, and increased administrative work for the insureds, the QHP carriers and Medicaid programs.

The out-of-pocket differences between Medicaid and QHPs are significant, even for people with incomes just above the Medicaid eligibility threshold who qualify for cost-sharing subsidies.

MNsure Logo

via MNsure, Minnesota's ACA exchange:

  • Eligible MNsure enrollees will save an average of $6,220 this year

ST. PAUL, Minn.—During MNsure’s recent open enrollment period, 129,537 Minnesotans signed up for comprehensive health coverage for 2023. MNsure’s tenth open enrollment period ran from November 1, 2022, through January 15, 2023, and was one of the most successful to date for the state’s health insurance marketplace.

“This year nearly 130,000 Minnesotans will have important financial protections and the peace of mind that comes with being enrolled in comprehensive health coverage available through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “MNsure’s tenth open enrollment period was a great success for the organization and the Minnesotans we serve. We helped nearly 60% of enrollees access financial help that will lower their health care costs by an average $6,220.”

MNsure Logo

via MNsure, Minnesota's ACA exchange:

ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans looking for health coverage in 2023 have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, to enroll in private health plans through MNsure.

“More Minnesotans than ever before are eligible to shop for lower cost health insurance and access financial help through MNsure,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “Don’t assume you won’t qualify for savings. Take another look, review your options, and sign up by the January 15 deadline so you don’t miss your opportunity to get comprehensive health coverage in 2023 and save hundreds of dollars per month.”

On average, MNsure enrollees will save $560/month in 2023. All plans sold through MNsure are guaranteed to cover a list of essential health benefits that includes prescription drugs, emergency services and preventive care like flu shots and cancer screenings. Plans that don’t provide comprehensive coverage can leave you at risk for high, unexpected medical costs if you get sick or need to go to a hospital.

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