Minnesotans who buy their own health insurance saved on average 20 percent off the premiums they pay each month, thanks to the state’s Premium Security Plan. It’s also known as reinsurance.

By Jim Schowalter, Council president

Leaving this job is difficult.

Here, Minnesotans who understand their work in depth come together across traditional boundaries to make health care better. People who work with hospitals, clinics, the state, community groups and other organizations share the same goals. While sometimes we disagree, we all want to make meaningful changes that improve Minnesotans’ lives. That’s the legacy of our nonprofit-led health care system.

Minnesota Council of Health Plans Board begins search for new leader Minnesota Council of Health Plans announced today that Jim Schowalter has resigned as the organization’s president and chief executive officer. Council Board Chair Mark Traynor said the search for Schowalter’s successor will begin immediately. “We thank Jim for his collaborative leadership and commitment to […]

Minnesotans who saw their Medicare Cost go away still have time to sign up or change their minds if they’ve already signed up. Upcoming deadlines are Feb. 28, March 4 and March 31. Find out more here. You’ll find more information about the deadlines, Senior Linkage Line and your local health insurers. Minnesotans have many […]

We often say health insurance premiums are expensive because health care is expensive. And prescription drugs are a big part of that expense. Here’s an NPR story about a woman who lives with MS. She lives in San Francisco, but the story is true for people throughout Minnesota as well.

You can’t always believe everything you read on the internet. Minnesotans who buy their own insurance have until Jan. 13, 2019, to sign up. The posts on Facebook and other sites about enrollment ending Dec. 15, 2018, aren’t accurate for Minnesotans. The Dec. 15 deadline for Minnesotans is to have insurance that starts Jan. 1, […]

From Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, Minnesotans who buy their own health insurance can sign up for policies that start Jan. 1, 2019. If you wait until after Dec. 15, the policy doesn’t start until Feb. 1, 2019. This year about 155,000 Minnesotans bought their own insurance, either directly from a health insurer, through MNsure […]

“The Minnesota approach is working. Health care is still too expensive, but Minnesota is doing better than most states to keep a handle on rising insurance premiums for people who buy insurance on their own.”

Today the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Business Partnership released a toolkit to help employers fight opioids. Here’s the information. The toolkit includes information on five concrete actions employers can take to prevent and address drug among employees: Change the conversation around opioid use disorder and reduce stigma Promote safe use, storage and […]