MNsure 2015 budget won’t need more public funds

Officials with Minnesota's new health insurance marketplace say their preliminary budget for 2015 will be balanced without seeking new federal or state money.

MNsure Interim CEO Scott Leitz told reporters Wednesday that the proposed $39.8 million budget for next year is based on the assumption that the federal government will let the exchange carry over $5 million in federal grants that have already been awarded but not spent.

He says the budget takes a conservative approach, and assumes premium revenues will remain flat. MNsure has also identified $18.5 million in cuts it proposes to make from its 2014 budget.

The MNsure board was scheduled to consider the budget proposal Wednesday afternoon. MNsure must report its preliminary 2014 budget to the Legislature by Saturday, and finalize the numbers in November.