General FAQ about MNsure

Is MNsure a health insurance company?
No. MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace.

MNsure.org is where individuals and families can shop, compare and choose health insurance coverage that meets their needs. MNsure is the only place you can qualify for financial help that can lower the cost of your monthly insurance premium.

MNsure Features
- A one-stop shop to compare and enroll in health insurance plans.
- Cost savings tool to see if you qualify for financial help in the form of tax credits, cost-sharing reductions or a public health program (MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance).
- All health plans meet Affordable Care Act baseline benefit standards, also known as essential health benefits.
- Free enrollment help through our statewide network of certified navigators and brokers. Find an assister in your community.
- A Contact Center you can call to speak with a MNsure representative about your options.
Who can use MNsure?
When can I enroll?
Open enrollment is a set time period each year when consumers can enroll in private health plans offered through MNsure. During this time period consumers can also change or renew their current coverage in a private health plan. Annual open enrollment is usually in the fall and early winter months.

Consumers who experience certain life events (having a baby, getting married, turning 26) may qualify for a special enrollment period which would allow them to enroll in private coverage outside the annual open enrollment period.

Year-round enrollment is open to:
- Those who qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.
- Members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe.
Does everyone have to have health coverage?

No — but health insurance provides regular, preventive care for you and your family to stay healthy and important financial protections. Medical bills are a common cause of bankruptcy and can reach into the millions of dollars. Quality health coverage protects you and your family from a lifetime of financial burden if an accident or unexpected illness happens.
Do I have to enroll through MNsure?

Minnesotans can enroll in health insurance coverage outside of MNsure, but doing this prevents access to financial help such as premium tax credits, low-cost or no-cost coverage. Only by enrolling through MNsure can consumers get access to financial help.

All plans sold through MNsure provide comprehensive coverage and consumer protections such as no discrimination based on pre-existing conditions (you cannot be denied coverage or charged a higher premium based on your health status, for example). In addition, all plans sold through MNsure include 10 essential health benefits. Other plans available may not include the same benefits and protections guaranteed when purchasing a plan through MNsure.
Are Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare part of MNsure?

Your eligibility (if you qualify) for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare is determined by the Minnesota Eligibility Technology System (METS), which is accessed through MNsure, but the Department of Human Services (DHS) manages these programs.

Here's how it works:

MNsure acts as a single front door for Minnesotans to apply for health insurance, including public health programs managed by the state (DHS) and private health insurance managed by individual insurance companies.

If you apply through MNsure for health insurance with financial help, METS determines whether you qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. If you qualify for one of these programs, your application and enrollment is managed by the Department of Human Services, including renewal, billing and support services.

For help with Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare contact the Department of Human Services. See also frequently asked questions about Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare and information for new members.
Who can help me enroll?
How much does it cost to buy insurance through MNsure?

Insurance costs depend on a variety of factors. But MNsure remains the only place you can apply for financial help to lower the cost of your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs.

Most Minnesotans who enroll through MNsure qualify for financial help. The amount of financial help is based on a sliding scale, so the lower your income, the higher the amount of assistance.

To get a quick estimate for the financial help for which you may qualify, see these income guidelines or use our plan comparison tool.
I have a pre-existing condition. Can I buy insurance through MNsure?
I recently lost my job-based health insurance. Can I get coverage through MNsure?
You may qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll in coverage through MNsure if you lost health coverage in the past 60 days OR you expect to lose coverage in the next 60 days, through:
- Your employer.
- The employer of a family member.
- A parent or guardian because you're no longer a dependent.
To avoid a gap in coverage you can apply for this SEP up to 60 days before your coverage ends.

You can also apply for this SEP up to 60 days after your employer coverage ends.
How can I learn about which providers, prescription drugs and other features are covered in a network?
Can I cancel coverage I got through MNsure anytime during the year?
I get insurance now through my employer but it is very expensive. Can I drop employer coverage and sign up with MNsure?

Yes, you can enroll during the annual open enrollment period. However, access to employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) can affect your eligibility for financial help depending upon what it costs for you and what your household income is. Read more about ESI.

You cannot drop coverage and choose a MNsure plan outside of the annual open enrollment period unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.
My employer offers a qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA). Can I enroll through MNsure?

Yes. Employees can enroll in a private health plan using MNsure and use their QSEHRA benefits toward premiums.

Your employer’s offer for a QSEHRA is considered affordable coverage that bars advanced premium tax credit (APTC) payments. However, in some situations, your employer’s contributions and the cost of your benchmark plan (second lowest cost silver plan or SLCSP) might be considered unaffordable, such that you could use both APTC and QSEHRA payments to help pay for your premiums. If you’re eligible for and apply both APTC and QSEHRA payments toward your premium, you must reduce your maximum APTC applied to your plan by your employer’s monthly contribution (or by 1/12 the annual employer contribution) to avoid additional tax liability.

Find a QSEHRA affordability worksheet and additional information here.
My employer offers an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA). Can I still get tax credits through MNsure?

If your employer offers you an ICHRA, you'll need to determine if it is or isn’t considered affordable.

If you have accepted the offer of an ICHRA, or if it’s affordable for you even if you haven’t accepted the offer, you can’t get a premium tax credit to lower the cost of a plan you purchase through MNsure.

See more information including a worksheet to calculate ICHRA affordability.
Will my personal information be secure with MNsure?

Yes. It is protected by state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to storage, collection, use and dissemination of private or confidential information. Beyond the necessity to comply with applicable laws, MNsure takes the obligation to keep personal information private very seriously. All privacy requirements have been entered into the IT system, and security measures are an integral part of the business operations culture. Our personnel are able to access only the information that is necessary for them to perform their job.
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