Minnesota Agencies

The board is responsible for managing and operating MNsure - a new health insurance marketplace. This includes establishing the budget for the marketplace; establishing bylaws, policies, and procedures, governing the operations of MNsure; creating certification requirements that must be met by insurance providers; establishing policies and procedures to gather public comment; establishing the policies and procedures for the operation of a navigator program, in-person assister program, call center, and customer service provision for MNsure.

According to the MNsure legislation webpage: "On Wednesday, March 20, 2013, Governor Dayton signed House File 5 into law, officially establishing a state-based health insurance exchange for Minnesotans. The road to the bill signing was filled with extensive stakeholder input and debate. Countless hours and a wealth of knowledge was dedicated in the early planning stages by numerous individuals who served on the Advisory Task Force, Technical Work Groups and Inter-Agency Committees. At the legislature, the House and Senate bills were introduced by State Representative Joe Atkins (DFL - Inver Grove Heights) and State Senator Tony Lourey (DFL - Kerrick). The bills passed through 18 committees, had more than 150 amendments proposed and received 90+ hours of debate."

The law further describes the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace: "the Minnesota Insurance Marketplace [is] created as a state health benefit exchange as described in section 1311 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148, and further defined through amendments to the act and regulations issued under the act."

Enrollment opened for Minnesotans on October 1, 2013. Plan coverage started January 1, 2014.

Board membership of MNsure consists of the following:

• three members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of both the senate and the house of representatives acting separately, with one member representing the interests of individual consumers eligible for individual market coverage, one member representing individual consumers eligible for public health care program coverage, and one member representing small employers. Members are appointed to serve four-year terms following the initial staggered-term lot determination;
• three members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of both the senate and the house of representatives acting separately who have demonstrated expertise, leadership, and innovation in the following areas: one member representing the areas of health administration, health care finance, health plan purchasing, and health care delivery systems; one member representing the areas of public health, health disparities, public health care programs, and the uninsured; and one member representing health policy issues related to the small group and individual markets. Members are appointed to serve four-year terms following the initial staggered-term lot determination; and
• the commissioner of human services or a designee.