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.

Seven members: According to state law, membership on the board must include representation from outside the seven-county Metro area. One of the six members must have experience representing the needs of vulnerable populations and persons with disabilities. The 2013 board was chosen through the state's open appointments process from a pool of 112 candidates. Board members will serve staggered four-year terms. With the exception of the Commissioner of Human Services, all members are limited to two terms of service.

"Within one year prior to appointment to the board, members cannot have been employed by, be a member of the board of directors, or be a representative of a health carrier, institutional health care provider, or other entity providing health care, navigator, insurance producer, or other entity in the business of selling items or services of significant value to or through MNsure. For purposes of this paragraph, 'health care provider or entity' does not include an academic institution. Members may not currently serve as a lobbyist as defined under section 10A.01, subdivision 21. No board member shall have a spouse who is an executive of a health carrier. Applicants are required to file an Economic Interest Form with the Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board at the time of application. Regardless of whether any of the above limitations are addressed in the Economic Interest Form, applicants must specifically address whether they are in compliance with any of the specific limitations listed above." - from Notice of Vacancies in State Boards, Councils and Committees, March 7, 2016.