Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Elizabeth Stawicki
ST. PAUL, Minn.

MNsure won't be affected by Obamacare delay

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

The state's new health insurance exchange, MNsure, won't be affected by the Obama administration's decision today to delay a key employer mandate under the federal health care law, Minnesota officials say.

The mandate requiring businesses with 50 or more full-time employees to provide health insurance or face a penalty will be delayed until 2015. The U.S. Treasury announced that the Obama administration is bowing to business groups that had pushed for extra time before the mandate kicks in.

The delay in the mandate will not affect MNsure because businesses of that size were already exempt from the mandate, MNsure's Executive Director April Todd Malmlov said. MNsure goes live Oct. 1 and will offer small business coverage but only for firms with fewer than 50 employees.

"For small businesses going through MNsure, it won't have an impact. They're not subject to the employer mandate," Malmlov said.

Starting in 2015, the mandate primarily affects larger businesses. Fines could be imposed those businesses do not provide health coverage to their workers. The individual mandate that most Americans obtain health insurance is still scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2014.

Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson said the delay shouldn't make much difference in the state overall.

"In Minnesota, we have been blessed with employers who've been remarkably responsible about providing health insurance to their employees," Jesson said. "I don't see that changing in the near term or the long term. I don't see this as having a major impact for most of our Minnesota citizens."

The National Federation of Independent Business released a statement that "temporary relief is small consolation."