The commercial and public sides of Minnesota’s health insurance exchange are in one place as the start of this year’s open enrollment season nears.
Commercial brokers and assisters representing the Insure Duluth coalition both will work out of Benes Insurance Services, 434B N. 57th Ave. W., according to a news release from the nonprofit Generations Health Care Initiatives, which spearheads Insure Duluth.
In previous years, some individuals seeking insurance needed to make multiple visits to more than one site, according to the news release. Now, they’ll be able to get both forms of help with one appointment under one roof.
However, Insure Duluth’s assisters also will be in place at various organizations, as in the past.
The health exchange, which in Minnesota is called MNsure, was designed as part of the Affordable Care Act to allow people who don’t already have health insurance coverage to shop and compare plans online at mnsure.org.
This year’s open enrollment period begins Sunday and continues through Jan. 31. Small-group employers and Minnesotans eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare can enroll year-round.
Officials: It pays to shop on insurance marketplace
FARGO — Officials say it pays to shop around for health insurance coverage under the new marketplace that is part of the Affordable Care Act.
North Dakota consumers who re-enrolled for health coverage through the online marketplace last year saved an average of $19 per month after tax credits, or $229 annually, according to federal government figures released Wednesday.
Combined, North Dakota residents returning to the marketplace who switched coverage saved a total of $449,633 in annual premiums by shopping around, according the the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Our message to returning marketplace customers in North Dakota is simple — shopping may save you money,” Sylvia Burwell, the secretary of health and human services, said in a statement.
Last year, almost a third of returning enrollees in North Dakota switched coverage, according to the report.
Beginning Sunday, consumers who want to continue their coverage through the marketplace can update their information and select an insurance plan for 2016. Consumers can elect to remain in their current plan if it’s still available, or may pick a new plan.
Any coverage changes must be made by Dec. 15 to take effect for coverage beginning Jan. 1.
A rate snapshot for health insurance plans that will be available next year in North Dakota shows an average 8.9 percent increase for silver plans, according to an analysis by Health and Human Services. Those increases do not reflect any premium tax credits, available to those with qualifying incomes.
Date: October 28, 2015