Lucas Nesse
President
Council president Lucas Nesse is passionate about making Minnesota a better place to live. He worked for state government early in his career and most recently directed health policy and grassroots advocacy for the Minnesota Business Partnership. He has led the Council since October 2019.
Nesse earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gustavus Adolphus College and his Juris Doctor Degree from William Mitchell College of Law. He lives in Lake Elmo with his wife and two children.
Council news
2022
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The Minnesota Council of Health Plans has appointed Andrea Walsh chair of the association’s board of directors. Walsh, the president and CEO of HealthPartners, takes over for John Naylor, president and CEO of Medica. [caption id="attachment_6994" align="alignleft" width="236"] Andrea Walsh, president and CEO, HealthPartners[/caption] The Council works to foster collaboration among its nonprofit health plan […]
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Council releases 2021 industry financial results
Throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans continued to put the health and financial stability of their enrollees first. COVID-19 related costs for the fully insured and government program markets exceeded $649 million in 2021, including $237 million in testing and vaccination costs, and $66 million in voluntary cost-sharing waivers.
2021
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Minnesota health plans once again extend cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 treatment
The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced that Minnesota-based nonprofit health plans are voluntarily extending cost-sharing waivers for in-patient COVID-19 treatment through September 30, 2021.
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Statement on Derek Chauvin verdict
The murder of George Floyd is a tragedy that has inflicted immense grief on our community. Tuesday marked a small step toward healing, as a verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial was reached and found the former police officer guilty on all three counts.
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Council releases 2020 industry financial results
In a year marked by the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota’s seven nonprofit health plans paid more than $293 million to their enrollees for insurance premium relief and cost-sharing waivers related to COVID-19 testing and inpatient treatment.
2021
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StarTribune
Our Best Shot: Cost is not a reason to avoid getting a COVID shot
The COVID-19 vaccine is free. For patients, there are no out-of-pocket expenses. No copay. No coinsurance. No office visit fee. No bill even if you haven't met your annual deductible.
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StarTribune
Results soar at Minnesota’s seven big health insurers as claims fall amid pandemic
Legal settlements and delayed care amid the pandemic drove a surge in operating income last year for Minnesota's nonprofit health insurers. The COVID-19 impact was widely noted last spring as a shutdown in elective procedures caused use of medical services to plummet.
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StarTribune
Questions surface over Minnesota’s COVID-19 testing contract
Minnesota public health officials talk with pride of the free statewide COVID-19 testing system they set up last year, but questions are mounting about the cost of the no-bid contract they negotiated and a key pricing amendment still in the works.
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StarTribune
Keep moving forward on expanded telehealth in Minnesota
As lockdowns loomed, state and federal regulators eased restrictions on "telehealth." That led to more virtual visits in Minnesota and elsewhere, with doctors and patients communicating via video or a phone call in lieu of a clinic appointment. A year later, there's a timely debate at the Minnesota Capitol over whether to maintain telehealth expansion measures.
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Minnesota Physician
Insuring the highest health of Minnesotans
The Council is a resource for consumers in a variety of ways, including helping Minnesotans gain entry into the health care system, finding the best providers for their specific situation, and ensuring coordinating of care overall. Efforts can also include support for food security, housing, education, and transportation to appointments.
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