Dear Friends,
As I'm sure you heard, the MNsure insurance exchange opened on October 1st. The system was plagued throughout the day by delays and glitches that prevented Minnesotans from actually signing up for health insurance on its first day.
We've spent more than $160 million dollars to date on the MNsure website, and for what? An incomplete product riddled with glitches that crashed in its first hour and doesn't even include all of the functions it was intended to deliver.
With more than 80 employees, 22 of which are making over $100,000 per year, it raises a lot of questions why MNsure wasn't ready for prime time.
In addition to its technical errors, MNsure plans cost more than plans that are currently available on the private market. Minnesotans can't be certain they'll be able to keep their own doctor if their provider isn't covered by a plan on the exchange. Greater Minnesota is impacted as well -- southeast Minnesota has the fewest options in the state while the Metro area enjoys the most.
It remains to be seen whether Governor Dayton's bloated new state agency will do more harm than good for Minnesotans in need of health insurance. Unfortunately for those who have relied on state programs in the past, they're now being shifted on to MNsure which I believe is a big gamble that could prove costly and damaging.
If you're an individual or small business owner who has questions about MNsure, please contact their customer service line by calling 1-855-3MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
Regards,
Glenn