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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, encourages consumers to be aware of scams targeting Minnesotans who need health insurance during the open enrollment period that runs through January 15, 2023. Scammers may use high-pressure phone calls or misleading websites to obtain personal information or try to fool Minnesotans into purchasing products that do not provide comprehensive coverage.
For example, if you search for "MNsure" online, you may see ads or websites that appear to be the official MNsure website but are not. Some of these sites collect your contact information and may bombard you with phone calls. Scammers also may claim they can find you a better plan for less money or threaten that your coverage will be discontinued if you don’t re-enroll.
Here are four tips to verify you’re working with MNsure and purchasing comprehensive health care coverage:
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Want to get healthy or stay well in 2023? Start the year off right by adding “get covered” to your new year’s resolutions and signing up for comprehensive health insurance through MNsure, where Minnesotans choose medical and dental coverage. January 15, 2023, is the last day of Minnesota’s open enrollment period and the deadline to enroll in health coverage that begins on February 1.
Getting covered ensures that you can access the health care you need throughout the year, putting you one step closer to achieving your new year’s health and wellness goals. 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.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Today, MNsure reports that over 119,500 Minnesotans signed up for 2023 health insurance through MNsure, where Minnesotans choose medical and dental coverage, between November 1 and December 15, 2022.
Now in its tenth open enrollment period, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace continues to see strong enrollment and to provide tax credits that reduce the cost of monthly premiums for nearly 60% of enrollees who sign up for private health plans.
“In the first six weeks of MNsure’s open enrollment period, over 119,500 Minnesotans signed up for comprehensive health coverage,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “Thanks to tax credits that are available only through MNsure, these families will save an average $560 per month.”
Minnesotans who missed the December 15 deadline still have an opportunity to enroll in coverage for 2023 — but they must act now. Consumers must sign up by January 15, 2023, for coverage that begins February 1, 2023.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Minnesotans have just one week left to sign up for health insurance through MNsure before the December 15, 2022, deadline for coverage starting January 1, 2023.
MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, is where Minnesotans can select medical and dental coverage and access premium tax credits (discounts) to lower the cost of monthly premiums. Tax credits aren’t available anywhere else, and next year households receiving tax credits are expected to save an average of $560/month.
“Many Minnesota families who have never been eligible for discounts through MNsure now qualify for tax credits in 2023 because of recent changes to federal rules,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark. “If your family has been relying on health insurance you get through an employed family member, now is the time to check MNsure.org/newoptions and see whether you can access lower-cost health insurance for next year.”
via MNsure, Minnesota's ACA exchange (via email for now):
More Minnesotans can access discounts and find less expensive plans through MNsure
ST. PAUL, Minn.—During MNsure’s open enrollment period happening now, thousands of Minnesotans who haven’t been able to access premium tax credits in the past are newly eligible for these discounts and can shop for more affordable 2023 health coverage through MNsure, where Minnesotans choose medical and dental insurance, thanks to the ‘family glitch’ fix.
In the past, a family’s eligibility for tax credits from MNsure depended on whether their job-based coverage was affordable for the employee, no matter how much it cost to cover the whole family. This meant some family members fell into the ‘family glitch’: that is, they were ineligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies even though they need them to afford quality coverage. Because they couldn’t access these important tax credits, many families in this situation have been paying more for coverage and some have been going without health insurance entirely.
ST. PAUL, Minn.—A recent study found that more than 1.3 million Americans with diabetes rationed their insulin because of cost concerns by skipping doses, taking less insulin than needed, or delaying buying insulin to save money. During National Diabetes Month, MNsure and the Minnesota Board of Pharmacy remind Minnesotans that the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program provides fast, reliable help for those who need insulin and may be struggling to afford this life-saving drug.
The Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program has two key components, depending on individual needs:
