Don't Get Scammed When Enrolling in Health Coverage

12/13/2020 13:40 Comment(s)

There has been an increase in scams involving the Affordable Care Act and MNSure Marketplace. Here's how to protect yourself when enrolling in coverage.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services warned MNSure Brokers that there had been an increase in robocalls spreading false information about the Affordable Care Act ("ACA" or "Obamacare") and MNSure plans, as well as an increase in false and misleading social media posts. Here are some facts and tips to keep you safe from scammers while applying for health coverage.

Facts About the MNSure Marketplace	Tips to Keep You Safe
The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, no mater what you're seeing on social media. Despite years of politicians' attempts to cut your access to healthcare, Minnesotans still have access to some of the best health coverage in the nation. All MNSure plans are ACA compliant, meaning they include essential health benefits and consumer protections required by the ACA.	When purchasing individual and family health coverage, stick to plans offered on the MNSure marketplace. These plans are designed to provide excellent coverage at affordable prices and you are eligible to purchase a plan on the MNSure marketplace even if you don't qualify for assistance. Dental plans are much easier to locate outside the marketplace, but coverage and price varies so it is still good to work with a licensed insurance agent when choosing a dental plan.
MNSure is the only place for Minnesotans to apply for financial assistance with health coverage. All applications are started on the MNSure system - even if you are applying for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. Once an eligibility determination is made, your application is forwarded to the agency who administers the program that you qualify for: If you're eligible for Medical Assistance, your County Human Services department will finish your enrollment. If you qualify for premium assistance through MinnesotaCare, the Department of Human Services will finish processing your enrollment. If you qualify for Advanced Premium Tax Credits, you'll be able to enroll in coverage at the reduced rate through the MNSure Portal. If you earn too much to qualify for any of these programs, you'll still be able to choose a MNSure plan, but will see the premiums at full price.	You must apply through the MNSure platform. You can do this on your own by creating an account at MNSure.org or by working with a member of the MNSure Assister network, a network of community organizations (MNSure Navigators) and licensed insurance agencies (MNSure Brokers) who help Minnesotans with their enrollments. MNSure Navigators are not licensed insurance agents. Only a MNSure Broker can make plan recommendations. Some brokers charge a fee for their services, but if this is the case, they must disclose that information up-front. Dayton's Bluff Financial does not charge a fee for our services. If you enroll in a plan with a carrier that we represent, they pay our fee, but our recommendation is based on the best plan for you - even if it's not something that we offer. We have found that showing our clients that we care and doing the right thing for them leads to increased referrals (and we can sleep well knowing we've helped someone get health coverage). Whichever route you take, be sure that you are enrolling through MNSure though!

Facts About the MNSure Marketplace

Tips to Keep You Safe

The Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, no mater what you're seeing on social media. Despite years of politicians' attempts to cut your access to healthcare, Minnesotans still have access to some of the best health coverage in the nation. All MNSure plans are ACA compliant, meaning they include essential health benefits and consumer protections required by the ACA.

When purchasing individual and family health coverage, stick to plans offered on the MNSure marketplace. These plans are designed to provide excellent coverage at affordable prices and you are eligible to purchase a plan on the MNSure marketplace even if you don't qualify for assistance.

Dental plans are much easier to locate outside the marketplace, but coverage and price varies so it is still good to work with a licensed insurance agent when choosing a dental plan.

MNSure is the only place for Minnesotans to apply for financial assistance with health coverage. All applications are started on the MNSure system - even if you are applying for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.

Once an eligibility determination is made, your application is forwarded to the agency who administers the program that you qualify for:

If you're eligible for Medical Assistance, your County Human Services department will finish your enrollment.
If you qualify for premium assistance through MinnesotaCare, the Department of Human Services will finish processing your enrollment.
If you qualify for Advanced Premium Tax Credits, you'll be able to enroll in coverage at the reduced rate through the MNSure Portal.
If you earn too much to qualify for any of these programs, you'll still be able to choose a MNSure plan, but will see the premiums at full price.

You must apply through the MNSure platform. You can do this on your own by creating an account at MNSure.org or by working with a member of the MNSure Assister network, a network of community organizations (MNSure Navigators) and licensed insurance agencies (MNSure Brokers) who help Minnesotans with their enrollments.

MNSure Navigators are not licensed insurance agents. Only a MNSure Broker can make plan recommendations. Some brokers charge a fee for their services, but if this is the case, they must disclose that information up-front.

Dayton's Bluff Financial does not charge a fee for our services. If you enroll in a plan with a carrier that we represent, they pay our fee, but our recommendation is based on the best plan for you - even if it's not something that we offer. We have found that showing our clients that we care and doing the right thing for them leads to increased referrals (and we can sleep well knowing we've helped someone get health coverage).

Whichever route you take, be sure that you are enrolling through MNSure though!

The bottom line is that you have a fundamental right to quality health care at an affordable cost, and the MNSure Marketplace where Minnesotans can go to exercise that right and to choose a plan. You can learn more about MNSure Individual & Family Plans here or you can check out Learning Center and search for "Obamacare" plans to dig into the marketplace in Minnesota and other states.

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