Dear neighbors,
I am pleased to invite you to a Town Hall Forum to discuss Minnesota’s new health insurance exchange, known as MNsure. MNSure is being implemented due to Federal changes to health insurance that will be effective on January 1, 2014. The forum will be held on Thursday, September 12 at South Central College in Heritage Hall on the North Mankato Campus (1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato, MN 56003). The evening will be divided into two separate sessions. The first will focus on health care for individuals (held from 6:00 to 7:00pm) and the second will be oriented toward health care for small businesses (held from 7:15-8:15pm). Senator Kathy Sheran, Rep. Clark Johnson and I will be hosting the meetings and MNsure Executive Director April Todd-Malmlov will join us to provide details and answer questions on the exchange.
The Town Hall forum will provide information so individuals will better understand how MNsure will affect them and is not intended to be political or partisan. Enrollment for coverage begins October 1st, with coverage going into effect on January 1st, 2014. All individuals in need of health care, small businesses owners, and those who want to be informed about MNsure are encouraged to attend.
Below you will find information prepared by House staff regarding the new MNsure health insurance exchange. If you have further questions about this program, you can contact MNsure at 651-284-4101.
In addition, I want to make you aware that NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) will be conducting a free, 12 week “Family-to-Family” class for family and friends of individuals with a serious mental illness. The class offers families current information on major mental illnesses, medications and side effects, as well as developing coping skills and empathy. It will also help one locate support and services in the community, develop advocacy skills and problem solving and communication techniques. Families learn the insight and information needed to help empower and support themselves and their loved one. The class will be on Tuesdays, beginning September 10 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church (1250 Monks Ave, Mankato). The course is free, but it is required that you register in advance by calling 507-317-3595. More information on other classes and support groups can be found at www.namihelps.org.
As always, please contact me anytime with your input at 651-296-3248 or by email at rep.kathy.brynaert@house.mn. I hope to see you on September 12 for the MNsure forum.
Sincerely,
Kathy Brynaert
State Representative
Mankato
Background on MNsure:
Minnesota’s State-based Health Insurance Exchange
WHAT IS THE EXCHANGE/MNsure?
A health exchange is more than just a website. It is an online tool, a local phone number, and a Minnesota-based approach to making it easier for YOU, YOUR FAMILY, and YOUR BUSINESS to purchase affordable health insurance.
You can shop for health insurance plans, see if you qualify for tax credits or financial assistance, and enroll in the plan that works for your family’s budget.No one will be forced to use MNsure. The decision is entirely up to you.
WILL I BE ABLE TO KEEP MY DOCTOR?
Yes. Starting September 6, 2013, Minnesota insurers will announce the health plans available through MNsure and the prices for those plans. You will be able to search the plans for sale to find the ones that include your doctor.
WILL MY COSTS GO UP?
Most people will see lower costs if they buy through MNsure. Some insurance options may have higher premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs than your current plan. Non-partisan experts estimate that Minnesotans’ health care costs will go down by about $500 or 23 percent, on average, which would save an estimated $1 billion statewide. Tax credits will be available to individuals making $43,320 or less and for a family of four making $88,200 or less.
If you are unemployed or are unable to earn enough through no fault of your own, MNsure can help you apply for a state program that may pay for some or all of your health care costs.
All of the costs of MNsure are paid by the federal government until 2015. After that, health insurance companies have to pay a fee to sell their products—about 3 cents for every dollar they make from selling insurance. In return, health plans will gain the opportunity to sell their products to the more than one million Minnesotans using MNsure to purchase coverage.
WILL MY PERSONAL HEALTH CARE INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE?
Yes. Personal health information will not be collected without your permission. You don’t have to provide any personal financial information unless you want to see if you are eligible for tax credits. Sharing your personal data without your permission is a crime and can be punished with a fine or, in extreme cases, a jail sentence. It’s against the law for MNsure to sell any of the data collected about you.
1. Minnesota Statutes 2013, section 62V.06, subd. 9.