Michael OlsonHere are the highlights from a Twitter chat about Minnesota’s upcoming online insurance marketplace, MNsure. MNsure Executive Director April Todd-Malmlov, “We know people have different attention spans for different types of media,” she said, “so we’re really trying to get out on all the different mechanisms to reach people where they are.”
The MNsure site is due to go live Oct. 1 and will allow Minnesotans to obtain government or commercial health coverage beginning in January.
Parental discretion is advised
The @MNSure folks chose, well, a racy hashtag. The #AskApril tag has had a different use on Twitter. I'll leave it at that.
— Brian Bakst (@Stowydad) August 12, 2013
Can I trust you with my data?
With news of data breaches at DNR, elsewhere, how can I be sure my private health info will be kept safe #mnsure #AskApril
— George D (@GeorgeD_87) August 12, 2013
.@GeorgeD_87 MNsure is committed to protecting data and will comply with strict state and federal privacy requirements.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Pre-existing conditions
#AskApril Are there income limits for applicants who have a pre existing condition?
— Stephen Noakson (@StephenNoakson) August 12, 2013
.@StephenNoakson plans will no longer be allowed to provide pre-existing condition exclusions this applies to all income levels.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
What will I pay in Taxes?
How much tax will I pay to @MNsure if I sign up for family cvg thru exchange? #askapril
— Thad Jones (@TJJones76) August 12, 2013
.@TJJones76 MNsure will not be collecting any taxes.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Rates and phase outs?
Will @MNSure release a schedule of effective marginal income tax rates from its phase-outs + MN & fed taxes + other phase-outs? #AskApril
— John Spry (@JohnASpry) August 12, 2013
.@JohnASpry All Minnesotans will be able to see the tax credits and subsidies available to them through MNsure.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
What are the plans priced at?
Other states are experiencing sticker shock rate increases for exchange plans — do you expect this to happen in MN? #AskApril #mnsure
— Brianna DeFore (@BriannaD4) August 12, 2013
.@BriannaD4 Rates for plans with better bennies will be available Sept 6.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Analog or digital?
Will enrollment paperwork be online or on paper beginning Oct. 1st? #Askapril
— Semcac Clinic (@SemcacClinic) August 12, 2013
.@SemcacClinic people can access enrollment both online and on paper.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Effective date
How long will the approval process take to enroll. Once application submitted, how long til someone is enrolled? #askapril #mnsure
— MelindaKay! (@MelindaKayD) August 12, 2013
.@MelindaKayD for most, enrollment will be immediate for coverage effective Jan 1 2014.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Who pays to run MNsure?
@MNsure On @WCCO, I heard @MNsure will be self-funding. How does it get funded? #AskApril
— Thad Jones (@TJJones76) August 12, 2013
.@TJJones76 starting in 2015 MNsure will be self-sustaining. Small % withheld from premium to pay 4 admin work MNsure will do.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
Proof of income requirement?
Will applicants have to show proof of income? #AskApril
— Semcac Clinic (@SemcacClinic) August 12, 2013
.@SemcacClinic for most income will be verified electronically, for others they can attest to income and provide proof within 90 days.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
About the rates
Why did you block insurers from releasing their premium rates so people have time to make decisions about appr coverage? #askapril
— Thad Jones (@TJJones76) August 12, 2013
.@TJJones76 state law requires rates to be non-public until they are approved and effective. MNsure is not part of approval of rates.
— MNsure (@MNsure) August 12, 2013
