Friends,
I wanted to give you a brief update on MNsure, and some information to help those of you who are experiencing challenges enrolling through the Minnesota’s health insurance exchange.
When MNsure launched in October, it offered the lowest premium rates in the country and excellent insurance plans. These plans can’t deny coverage to anyone because of pre-existing conditions, don’t have lifetime limits, include out-of-pocket spending caps and cover preventive care.
But it became clear that there were significant technical problems with the website and IT systems, leading to long wait times at the call center.
I want to stress that the majority of Minnesotans seeking to enroll are now able to do so, but any lingering problems are unacceptable. I’ve joined my colleagues in demanding swift action from MNsure and the contractors responsible.
And I can report that, over the last several weeks, MNsure has taken – and continues to take – concrete steps to identify and address the technical and call center issues. Now, the percent of customers able to get through the eligibility determination process has improved from 70 percent to 98 percent. The call center wait times have also improved.
While we continue to make progress, if you or someone you know is still experiencing problems with enrollment through MNsure, please contact me and my office will work with you to solve the problem. You can reach me at 651-296-4342, or rep.dan.schoen@house.mn. We will keep working to ensure that Minnesotans who needs affordable coverage can obtain it as soon as possible.
The success stories tell me, despite the struggles and challenges, that expanding affordable health care is the right direction for Minnesota's future.
The stories I’ve heard about how it has changed people’s lives are incredible.
One MNsure enrollee is a brain cancer survivor who used to have to choose between paying her family's mortgage or buying health insurance. No longer. A small business owner is saving $3,000 per year, thanks to MNsure. A young diabetic woman told me she went from paying $675 a month to just $151 a month and can take comfort in knowing she can never again be denied health care coverage in the name of protecting the bottom line for a multi-billion dollar corporation.
There are many more stories like theirs, and that’s why we cannot go back to the days where the insurance companies called the shots and Minnesotans paid the price with high premiums or inadequate health care plans.
These remaining issues will be addressed, and all Minnesotans will have access to high-quality insurance at an affordable price. This is a pledge I make.
Fraud alert
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies have seen a significant increase in incidents of “The Grandparent’s Scam.” Within the last two weeks several families have fallen victim to this scam, losing on average more than $5,000.
The scam works as follows: An elderly grandparent will receive a phone call from a person posing as their grandchild. The caller may know personal information about both the grandparent and the grandchild and give a detailed story about being arrested. The caller posing as the grandchild will pressure the grandparent for money to be wired or transferred using services such as “Green Dot Cards” or “Western Union” to cover legal expenses and bail.
If you receive a call like this:
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. The caller may be posing as the grandchild, an attorney or a judge, and they will put pressure on you to send money immediately. Hang up the phone if you have to.
• Call 911. Your local law enforcement agency can assist you in verifying whether the call is legitimate or a scam.
• Refuse to send money through wire transfer or overnight delivery.
• Obtain the phone number of the party calling if you can. This may assist law enforcement in their investigation.
Spread the word with as many family members and friends as possible – especially the senior citizens in your life. We need help in getting this information out to the public to avoid further victimization of our citizens.
Reminders
Don’t forget about my upcoming “office hours.”
On Monday, Senator Katie Sieben, St. Paul Park Mayor Keith Franke and I will be hosting "office hours" in place of the St. Paul Park Council meeting. We will all be available at 6 p.m.
Then, on Tuesday, Senators Sieben and James Metzen, Representative Rick Hansen and I will be at the Black Sheep Coffee Shop in South St. Paul from 5 to 7 p.m. I hope you can stop by and have a cup of coffee with us!
Finally, Senator Sieben, Representative Denny McNamara and I will be holding “office hours” from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, February 24, 2014, at Cottage Grove City Hall.
Hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Dan