St. Paul, Minnesota (KROC-AM News) - Recent changes to the Affordable Care Act made through the American Rescue Plan means more Minnesotans will be able to access tax credits through MNsure.

According to a press release from MNsure, the changes lower premiums for most people who are currently enrolled through MNsure and expand access to tax credits to many Minnesotans who previously made too much money to qualify for financial help.

Minnesotans who are not currently enrolled in a plan through MNsure, including those who are uninsured, have until July 16 to enroll in coverage.

Starting today, April 6, Minnesotans with a household income that already qualified them for financial help (such as individuals earning up to $51,040 a year, or a family of four earning up to $104,800), can see how much they will save with the new, expanded tax benefits when they shop and compare health plans on MNsure.org.

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Anyone enrolled in a plan outside of MNsure, or who is currently uninsured, can enroll in April and see the expanded benefits when their coverage starts on May 1.

Minnesotans who already receive tax credits through MNsure will see increased savings this spring. Current enrollees do not have to do anything to receive the enhanced benefits. MNsure will recalculate the tax credit increases and send the updates to health insurance carriers to be processed this spring.

“The increased financial help will lower premium costs and make health care coverage more affordable than ever before,” said MNsure CEO Nate Clark in the press release. “Minnesotans could save hundreds or even thousands more each month with these expanded tax credits. Don’t wait. You can enroll today. Visit MNsure.org and see how much you can save on your health insurance.”

Expanded tax credits through the American Rescue Plan are retroactive to January 1, 2021, or an enrollee’s first day of coverage through MNsure. This means MNsure enrollees will receive the full value of their tax credits regardless of when they see updated tax credits on their monthly billing statement. Any tax credit not taken directly off an enrollee’s monthly premium may be included in their income tax refund when they file their taxes next year.

Minnesotans with a household income that was previously too high to get financial help (such as individuals earning more than $51,040 a year or a family of four earning more than $104,800 a year), will receive their new benefits this summer. More information will be available in the coming weeks. You can visit the MNsure website to get an estimate of potential 2021 savings.

These expanded tax credits through the American Rescue Plan are in effect through the calendar year 2022.

You can learn more on how to enroll here.

MNsure special enrollment period extended through July 16

Any Minnesotan who is not currently enrolled in a plan through MNsure, including those who are uninsured, can take advantage of MNsure’s “COVID-19 special enrollment period,” which runs through July 16. Plans selected in April will have an effective date of May 1 and plans selected in May will have an effective date of June 1, etc.

Get free help with the enrollment process
If you aren't sure how to get started, MNsure has a statewide network of expert assisters who can help Minnesotans apply and enroll, free of charge. You can also get online help to access frequently requested services.
The MNsure Contact Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday at 651-539-2099 (855-366-7873 outside the Twin Cities).

Major Milestones From Beginning of COVID-19 Pandemic in Olmsted County, Minnesota

News and information about the virus were slowly making their way through Minnesota and the Rochester area during late February 2020. Mayo Clinic became aware of the virus in January because of a partnership it had with a Chinese firm. This gave Mayo a head start in developing its own test for the virus which it knew would be needed for its patients.

Scroll through the gallery to see the significant milestones from the first two months of the pandemic in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

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