Coronavirus In Minnesota: MNsure To Open Up Special 30-Day Enrollment Period Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Gov. Tim Walz announced on Friday a special 30-day MNsure enrollment period for those currently without insurance in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The enrollment period begins Monday, March 23 and will run through April 21.
"Every Minnesotan deserves access to health coverage during this uncertain time," Walz said. "This critical action will help ensure Minnesotans can receive the care they need during the COVID-19 crisis. I want to thank MNsure and the health plans for stepping up. Everyone is doing their part."
The plans that are selected by April 21 will have a retroactive coverage start date of April 1.
"As more cases of COVID-19 are diagnosed throughout the state, we want to make sure every Minnesotan has the security of health insurance to ensure they can get the care they need if they contract this serious illness," MNsure CEO Nate Clark said. "Uninsured Minnesotans can come to MNsure.org to sign up for coverage."
Related: Coronavirus Resource Page
For those who have lost their health insurance through an employer, you may also be eligible for a special enrollment period through MNsure. Again, officials said to check the agency's website for details and key dates.
Also on Friday, Walz signed executive orders that were intended to strengthen the state's response to the COVID-19 outbreak -- they cover a ban on price gouging, authorizing the Minnesota Department of Human Services commissioner to seek federal authority to waive or temporarily modify certain requirements for federal programs, and allowing the DHS to "temporarily issue waivers or modifications to state requirements to ensure that their services can be delivered to Minnesotans safely and without undue delay, protecting vulnerable Minnesotans and those who care for them."