Time is running out to make sure members of our communities find their way to affordable health care coverage. February 15 is the last day to enroll in private health insurance through MNsure, the state’s health insurance marketplace. After that, unless an individual or family has a qualifying life event, such as loss of a job or birth of a child, they will not have an opportunity to enroll in private health insurance through MNsure until next year’s open enrollment.
MNsure is Minnesota’s online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for, compare and enroll in insurance. The federal Affordable Care Act requires nearly all U.S. residents to have health insurance or pay a penalty.
No one is required to get health insurance through MNsure. However, MNsure is the only way to access federal tax credits that reduce the cost of private insurance premiums. MNsure is also a way to enroll in public health insurance programs. What health insurance options are available depends primarily on income and family size; for example, a single adult may be eligible for public health insurance with an income up to $23,340 and may qualify for a premium tax credit with an income up to $46,680.
Making health care decisions can be complex, and for those who have yet to obtain health insurance, finding someone to help them through the process is often the missing link. Many nonprofits have trained people, called Navigators, available to help Minnesotans learn about and enroll in health insurance. All of us can play an equally essential role by making referrals to Navigators ready to offer their assistance in our communities.
There is also more information available on the MNsure website, or through its toll-free hotline at 1-855-3MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
Don’t delay: spread the word that the time to get health insurance is now!
-Leah Gardner