Signups via Minn. health exchange pass 200,000

MNsure's enrollment total topped the 200,000 mark as of Tuesday, the final day that people could choose a plan on the state's health insurance marketplace.

About three quarters of those who enrolled in coverage since October qualified for government-sponsored coverage such as Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, MNsure spokesman Joe Campbell said. About 50,000 others enrolled in private coverage.

"We're thrilled with the numbers," Campbell said. "We're thrilled with where we are today."

Last fall, MNsure officials hoped to enroll about 135,000. But not everyone who tried to get coverage is thrilled.

But some consumers who tried to enroll ran into problems with the MNsure website and long waits on hold.

Among them was Jeff Moores, of Fridley, Minn. he wanted to be included in the enrollment numbers, but like so many frustrated and angry Minnesotans before him, he was unable to get the MNsure website to work on Tuesday.

Moores, 31, said he had started the process of enrolling in private coverage a couple of weeks ago but because of website problems then wasn't able to complete the process. He tried calling MnSure's contact center Tuesday with some questions, along with 18,000 other consumers who waited on hold an average of a half hour.

But Moores said he never got through and was disconnected a few times.

"And it was at that point that I said, 'well why don't I just go and find the cheapest plan that I was originally looking at just so at least I have insurance so I don't risk a tax penalty?'" he said. "After trying to get through on the phone lines and resigning myself that I would just grab whatever plan I can, then I wasn't able to process anything on the website either."

Campbell acknowledges there were problems on Tuesday. He said many of them involved the process of confirming an applicant's identity. That requires MNsure to verify information through a so-called federal data hub.

"When you go through the website, there's a connection with the federal hub that tells MNsure you are who you say you are," he said. "It involves trying to prove a variety of different things. And for one reason or another a consumer who came to the site either didn't provide the right information or may not have had the right information available to them at the time."

Moores wasn't able to finish. He emailed MNsure to ask whether there would be some other way to beat the deadline but has heard nothing in reply.

"I don't know if folks in my situation, if there's a lot of us who perhaps weren't able to sneak in under the deadline because of some technical issues," he said. "Maybe I'm the only one; I don't know."

Campbell said MNsure will analyze applications on a case-by-case basis and determine who is still eligible for coverage. Those that are deemed ineligible won't be able to purchase private health coverage until next fall, and may face a tax penalty.