MNsure Extends Enrollment Deadline For Jan. 1

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- With premiums skyrocketing, officials have extended the deadline for enrolling in Minnesota's health insurance program for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2016.

You now have until Dec. 28 to enroll, but MNsure offficials are warning not to wait until the last minute. Waiting to enroll could mean you won't have your ID card or other plan information by Jan. 1, 2016.

MNsure CEO Allison O'Toole says there are big-time penalties this year if you don't sign up for health insurance.

"For an individual if you don't sign up for coverage it's $695, or 2.5 percent of your income, whichever is greater. So that's real money and we want Minnesotans to spend and get something for it and not pay that penalty, so it's really important that people come and shop and compare," O'Toole said.

To meet demand, MNsure will increase customer service resources at its contact center.