Among many, one key change we will see in Minnesota as a result of the Affordable Care Act affects the members enrolled in Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) health plans – 26,000 people. Later this year, these individuals become 26,000 prospects for licensed insurance agents.
For the first time in decades, Minnesotans who purchase individual health insurance through the MCHA high-risk pool plan will have new options for coverage. Since the Affordable Care Act prevents insurance companies from denying people with pre-existing conditions or charging them more, the need for MCHA will eventually disappear. All MCHA enrollees willneed to find new insurance plans.
Many of them will need your guidance and expertise.Some will qualify for premium tax subsidies at MNSure, the Minnesota insurance exchange. Higher income MCHA members will certainly want to explore all options, inside and outside MNSure.
Many MCHA members will want to find a qualified agent to guide them through the process of comparing plans and help them choose the coverage that is right for them.
The Department of Commerce and MCHA staff members are working on a timeline to phase enrollees out of MCHA and into private coverage. Regardless of when MCHA closes, enrollees are being encouraged to find a new plan for 2014.