Lucas Nesse, President & CEO of the Council | Minnesota Council of Health Plans

How Minnesota’s Nonprofit Health Plans Are Stepping Up During the Pandemic

by Lucas Nesse, President & CEO of the Council | May 13, 2020

Pandemics impact us all, but certainly not equally. Among the many tragedies of COVID-19 is that it is hurting people who were already in need — including Minnesotans who were struggling with their health, financial stability and other basic necessities long...

House Passing Drug Price Transparency Legislation

by Lucas Nesse, President & CEO of the Council | May 9, 2020

Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, issues statement on Minnesota House Passing Drug Price Transparency Legislation Statement: “Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are proud to have played a key role in...

How Minnesota’s Nonprofit Health Insurers Are Supporting the Rise of Telehealth

by Lucas Nesse, President & CEO of the Council | May 6, 2020

With the COVID-19 pandemic unfolding worldwide, telehealth is quickly being revolutionized. Everyone – individuals, families and organizations alike – must adapt to this increasingly popular way clinicians are practicing medicine, and that’s...

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2020

May 22, 2020
Minnesota Health Plans Announce Additional Support for People Affected by COVID-19

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today that Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are enhancing support for enrollees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic by extending cost-sharing waivers for in-patient treatment.

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May 17, 2020
Statement on House passing Prior Authorization Legislation

“Prior authorization is a critical tool for ensuring safe, effective and efficient treatment for patients. Individuals and employers greatly benefit from the associated cost savings and lower premiums. Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are proud to have played a key role in refining this legislation to ensure that important elements supporting patient safety and lower costs were maintained.”

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May 9, 2020
Statement on Minnesota House Passing Drug Price Transparency Legislation

Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, issues statement on Minnesota House Passing Drug Price Transparency Legislation Statement: “Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are proud to have played a key role in advancing this bipartisan legislation. Prescription drugs are a major driver of premiums and now account for nearly a quarter […]

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April 2, 2020
Minnesota Health Insurers Announce Plans for Coverage of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

The Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today that Minnesota’s nonprofit health plans are voluntarily waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 in-patient treatment for enrollees as part of a framework to support and protect the health of Minnesotans amid the COVID-19 outbreak. “The health and safety of Minnesotans are the highest priorities of the nonprofit plans we […]

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April 1, 2020
Council releases 2019 industry financial results

Minnesota’s seven nonprofit health plans continued supporting Minnesotans’ access to affordable, quality care in 2019, paying $13.98 billion in medical bills on behalf of 2.4 million people enrolled in fully insured or government programs, the Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today. Collectively, plans had an operating gain of 1.4 percent of revenue. As mission-based, […]

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More News Coverage

2020

April 3, 2020
Star Tribune

Minnesota health plans say $220 million in income will help with COVID-19 costs

Minnesota’s nonprofit health insurers posted about $220 million in operating income last year, a figure that the carriers’ trade group said is down from 2018 but still shows financial stability with the likely onset of COVID-19 medical bills.

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April 3, 2020
Star Tribune

With COVID-19 hospitalizations rising in state, deal reached on treatment costs

Out-of-pocket treatment costs for some COVID-19 patients will be waived under an agreement announced Thursday with Minnesota’s nonprofit insurers, as the virus sends growing numbers to the hospital.

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March 9, 2020
Star Tribune

More Minnesota insurers pledge to waive copays for coronavirus testing

Minnesota health insurers are offering more details about how they will handle coverage related to coronavirus testing and treatment, including more pledges that out-of-pocket costs will be waived for diagnostic tests.

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2019

June 26, 2019
Star Tribune

Flight from health insurance market in Minnesota slows

The state’s individual health insurance market got even smaller last year, according to a new state report, but the annual rate of decline slowed significantly.

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February 19, 2019
Star Tribune Commentary

Minnesota’s reinsurance program should be renewed

It lowers premiums for people who buy their own insurance and requires no new money.

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