MNsure reports record of nearly 124,000 health care sign-ups

Published 7:07 pm Wednesday, January 16, 2019

ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s state-run health insurance exchange has achieved a record number of sign-ups in its sixth open enrollment period.

MNsure says 123,732 Minnesotans signed up for private health coverage before open enrollment ended Sunday. That’s nearly 400 more than the record set in the previous open enrollment period.

MNsure CEO Nate Clark contrasted that Wednesday with the uncertainty about health coverage on the federal level and lower sign-ups across the country. He says lower premiums, an extended open enrollment period and a robust outreach program contributed to Minnesota’s gains.

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President Donald Trump’s administration, by contrast, has shortened sign-up periods and slashed outreach budgets for the federal exchange.

Over 57 percent of households signing up for coverage via MNsure qualified for subsidies via tax credits, which averaged over $5,500 a year.