FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator
ST. PAUL, Minn. - MNsure today shared these answers to frequently asked questions for consumers who need health insurance coverage to begin on January 1, 2014.
1. What are the deadlines for MNsure enrollment?
Today is the MNsure enrollment deadline for those seeking coverage January 1. For people seeking health insurance coverage starting January 1, 2014, the deadline for signing up through MNsure is today, December 31, 2013. This means you have until midnight on December 31 to pick a plan and a payment method.
2. I want to select health insurance through MNsure, but I don't need coverage to start January 1. What are my deadlines?
Open enrollment through MNsure is available on an ongoing basis through March 31, 2014. If you want to purchase health insurance coverage but do not need that coverage to be effective January 1, you have until March 31 to enroll. Please note that February 1 would be the earliest date of coverage for those who enroll after December 31.
3. What time does the MNsure Contact Center close today? What about January 1?
The MNsure Contact Center is open today, Tuesday, December 31, until 8 p.m. The Contact Center is open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. What about making my first payment for coverage purchased through MNsure?
Paying online is best, but payment in any form must be received by January 10 for coverage purchased through MNsure. We strongly encourage you to pay online at MNsure.org when you enroll and select your insurance. However, you do have the option to be billed afterward. If you select this option, please keep in mind that the payment must arrive at MNsure or the health insurance company by the close of business on Friday, January 10, 2014. Any medical care after January 1 will be covered if this payment deadline is met. However, if your payment arrives after January 10, then coverage will start February 1.
5. What should I do if I started an application through MNsure but have had trouble with the website and I'm not enrolled?
If you need coverage starting January 1 and have not received communication from MNsure, we encourage you to purchase health insurance coverage directly from a health insurance company or through a licensed insurance agent. If you applied for coverage through MNsure and think you are eligible for tax credits or would like to just purchase a plan without financial help and you have not received any communication from MNsure including an invoice, a phone call from our contact center, an eligibility notice, or other communication, your application may be in process in our system and MNsure cannot guarantee coverage effective January 1. If you need insurance coverage to begin on January 1, then we encourage you to purchase health insurance coverage directly from a health insurance company or through a licensed insurance agent. This step will ensure that you have health insurance coverage as needed starting January 1, 2014. Meanwhile, we will continue to work on your MNsure application. When we resolve the issue related to your application, we will contact you and you will have until March 31, 2014, to sign up for health insurance through MNsure that will include any discount from the tax credits.
If you choose to purchase health insurance directly from a health insurance company or agent and you want that coverage to be effective January 1, please note that the deadline for selecting coverage and making the first payment is December 31, 2013.
6. I was approved for MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. Am I covered starting January 1?
If you're approved for MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance, you're covered. If you applied through MNsure and were approved for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, you will be covered on January 1. Your member card will be mailed by the end of December, but you may not get it right away. However, your doctor or pharmacy will help you get services and can confirm through the automated systems that you qualify.
7. I applied for coverage through MNsure and I paid my first premium. Am I covered?
If you've paid, you're covered. If you've applied for coverage through MNsure and paid the premium before the December 31 deadline, then you will have coverage on January 1, 2014.
8. I think I paid, but I haven't received an insurance card yet. What should I do?
You can call the health plan to confirm your enrollment. If the plan received your enrollment from MNsure, you will be able to receive your member number or a temporary ID card or online ID card you need to access care. Your clinic, pharmacy or hospital will be able to verify your enrollment if you need care before your official ID card arrives. Visit the Minnesota Council of Health Plans website for more information.
9. How can I contact MNsure if I have other questions?
The best way to contact a MNsure representative is to call the toll-free help line at 1-855-366-7873. More information and resources can also be found on the MNsure website at www.mnsure.org.
12/31/2013 10:14:43 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jenni Bowring-McDonough
Media Relations Coordinator
ST. PAUL, Minn. - MNsure today shared these answers to frequently asked questions for consumers who need health insurance coverage to begin on January 1, 2014.
1. What are the deadlines for MNsure enrollment?
Today is the MNsure enrollment deadline for those seeking coverage January 1. For people seeking health insurance coverage starting January 1, 2014, the deadline for signing up through MNsure is today, December 31, 2013. This means you have until midnight on December 31 to pick a plan and a payment method.
2. I want to select health insurance through MNsure, but I don't need coverage to start January 1. What are my deadlines?
Open enrollment through MNsure is available on an ongoing basis through March 31, 2014. If you want to purchase health insurance coverage but do not need that coverage to be effective January 1, you have until March 31 to enroll. Please note that February 1 would be the earliest date of coverage for those who enroll after December 31.
3. What time does the MNsure Contact Center close today? What about January 1?
The MNsure Contact Center is open today, Tuesday, December 31, until 8 p.m. The Contact Center is open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. What about making my first payment for coverage purchased through MNsure?
Paying online is best, but payment in any form must be received by January 10 for coverage purchased through MNsure. We strongly encourage you to pay online at MNsure.org when you enroll and select your insurance. However, you do have the option to be billed afterward. If you select this option, please keep in mind that the payment must arrive at MNsure or the health insurance company by the close of business on Friday, January 10, 2014. Any medical care after January 1 will be covered if this payment deadline is met. However, if your payment arrives after January 10, then coverage will start February 1.
5. What should I do if I started an application through MNsure but have had trouble with the website and I'm not enrolled?
If you need coverage starting January 1 and have not received communication from MNsure, we encourage you to purchase health insurance coverage directly from a health insurance company or through a licensed insurance agent. If you applied for coverage through MNsure and think you are eligible for tax credits or would like to just purchase a plan without financial help and you have not received any communication from MNsure including an invoice, a phone call from our contact center, an eligibility notice, or other communication, your application may be in process in our system and MNsure cannot guarantee coverage effective January 1. If you need insurance coverage to begin on January 1, then we encourage you to purchase health insurance coverage directly from a health insurance company or through a licensed insurance agent. This step will ensure that you have health insurance coverage as needed starting January 1, 2014. Meanwhile, we will continue to work on your MNsure application. When we resolve the issue related to your application, we will contact you and you will have until March 31, 2014, to sign up for health insurance through MNsure that will include any discount from the tax credits.
If you choose to purchase health insurance directly from a health insurance company or agent and you want that coverage to be effective January 1, please note that the deadline for selecting coverage and making the first payment is December 31, 2013.
6. I was approved for MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance. Am I covered starting January 1?
If you're approved for MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance, you're covered. If you applied through MNsure and were approved for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, you will be covered on January 1. Your member card will be mailed by the end of December, but you may not get it right away. However, your doctor or pharmacy will help you get services and can confirm through the automated systems that you qualify.
7. I applied for coverage through MNsure and I paid my first premium. Am I covered?
If you've paid, you're covered. If you've applied for coverage through MNsure and paid the premium before the December 31 deadline, then you will have coverage on January 1, 2014.
8. I think I paid, but I haven't received an insurance card yet. What should I do?
You can call the health plan to confirm your enrollment. If the plan received your enrollment from MNsure, you will be able to receive your member number or a temporary ID card or online ID card you need to access care. Your clinic, pharmacy or hospital will be able to verify your enrollment if you need care before your official ID card arrives. Visit the Minnesota Council of Health Plans website for more information.
9. How can I contact MNsure if I have other questions?
The best way to contact a MNsure representative is to call the toll-free help line at 1-855-366-7873. More information and resources can also be found on the MNsure website at www.mnsure.org.
