MNsure CEO Talks Enrollment Amid Uncertainty

April 13--MANKATO -- MNsure CEO Allison O'Toole visited Mankato Thursday to assuage concerns about this year's open enrollment period for individual health insurance.

The state's health insurance exchange is in the crosshairs of a recent Minnesota House bill calling for an elimination of the program in favor of the federal alternative. At the national level, a still possible repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act in Washington, D.C., sheds further doubt on what could become of MNsure.

Despite the swirl of uncertainty, O'Toole made clear Thursday that MNsure will open for enrollment as it has the past four years this fall regardless of what lawmakers decide between now and then.

"MNsure will open its doors Nov. 1 for our fifth open enrollment period," she said. "Any changes to the state or federal law at this point will not impact the open enrollment for this next year."

Future legislation could, however, impact MNsure in future years. The bill that cleared the House last week would force a change toward the federal, healthcare.gov exchange in 2019. A similar Senate bill did not include the same language.

Republican lawmakers have argued the move would save the state money by eliminating a program that duplicates what the federal exchange already offers. Both O'Toole and MNsure board member Kathy Sheran advocated against the legislation on their visit to Open Door Health Center, which MNsure partners with to provide assistance for health insurance enrollees.

Sheran said the federal one-size-fits-all model would limit Minnesota's ability to respond to state-specific insurance issues. This year, for example, MNsure was able to extend its open enrollment period to allow enrollees to qualify for relief funds approved by the Legislature in response to premium hikes.

O'Toole said that maneuverability wouldn't be possible if Minnesota was working under the federal exchange.

"MNsure gives Minnesotans local control, customization and better customer service," she said. "The federal system doesn't."

The two also expressed interest in what premiums will cost this year. Premium hikes last year reached crisis levels for some, although most who signed up through MNsure were eligible for tax credits to help cut down portions of the cost.

The health insurance companies, not MNsure, determine prices after negotiating with the Minnesota Department of Commerce each year. Sheran, who retired from her state Senate seat last year, said recent reinsurance legislation is intended to help insurers manage expensive claims. Health insurance companies have experienced substantial financial losses on plans in the individual market in past years.

"We'll see how that impacts that rate," Sheran said of the reinsurance plan.

O'Toole, though, cautioned that the plan provided no guarantees for consumers, meaning the insurers aren't beholden to keep premiums down.

MNsure will continue to tour the state in the hopes of clearing up confusion about the upcoming enrollment.

Follow Brian Arola @BrianArolaMFP.

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