News Releases
2022
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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.
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Statement on MNsure special enrollment period
MNsure’s announcement today that it is offering a special enrollment period is a win for uninsured Minnesotans who can now select from products that have some of the lowest premiums in the nation thanks to the state’s reinsurance program. MNsure enrolled more than 9,400 uninsured Minnesotans in private coverage during the COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period in March and April of 2020, and we once again encourage Minnesotans to visit MNsure.org to enroll.
News Coverage
2021
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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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Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal
How talking about your nonprofit’s mission can help the people you serve
At a time when COVID-19 is hitting communities especially hard, nonprofits — now more than ever — are playing a critical role in ensuring health and well-being. Whether you are in health care, human services, education, the arts or another sector, it’s important to talk about your nonprofit mission and what you are doing to help others.
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StarTribune
COVID-19 pandemic fuels telehealth expansion
It may be months yet before the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, but already it's creating lasting changes in health care, with more patients using computers, tablets and phones to talk with doctors, nurses and therapists.
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StarTribune
Why we need vaccination equity
As eligibility for and access to the COVID-19 vaccine expand to more Minnesotans, racial disparities in vaccination rates are increasing. So are myths that strategies to vaccinate more equitably aren’t needed. This is of immense concern due to the disproportionate impact COVID-19 continues to have on Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian populations.