I received an email letting me know that MN residents covered under the state sponsored plan (self-employed folks, folks who can't get coverage through their employers, etc) is notifying beneficiaries that they are being dropped from the plan due to budget cuts. If this applies to anyone visitng this site, here's what I recommend as a start...(this program is regulated by the state of MN but the same general advice applies to any state where this is an issue)...
keep in mind these folks are generally making decisions likely based on consumption of resources (otherwise known as cost) rather than considering need...it's a numbers game. You will likely have trouble getting a pre-existing condition exclusion if you are forced to switch to another insurance plan.
Here are some places I recommend you start...call MNCare (regulated by DHS) and explain your situation, ask them how they made their decision, what alternatives they are offering to you, timelines, etc (I recommend getting as high in the chain as you can in terms of people to talk to). I would also call the Dept of Human Rights for MN and tell them what's going on...is there a possible discrimination issue here? Finally I would place a call to the MN legislature
(your representative) and tell them what's going on..the impact to you and ask them what the alternatives are and how the state will pay for your care if you are forced to join the ranks of the uninsured, etc. Get everything
in writing, take copious notes and then let me know what's going on.
Department of Human Services (DHS)
444 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
Fax: (651) 296-5868
TTY: (800) 627-3529
Web site:
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us E-mail:
[email protected] Commissioner, Kevin Goodno (651) 296-2701
Public contact for DHS services:
General information including visitor parking information and directions:
(651) 297-3933; TTY: (651) 296-5705
?????? MinnesotaCare Helpline - Outstate callers: (800) 657-3672, Twin Cities
metro-area callers: (651) 297-3862
Department of Health
85 East Seventh Place, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882
General Information: (651) 215-5800; TTY: (651) 215-8980
Website:
http://www.health.state.mn.us Email:
[email protected] Commissioner, Dianne Mandernach
Deputy Commissioner
Department of Human Rights
Army Corp of Engineers Centre, Suite 700,190 E. 5th Street, St. Paul, MN
55101
Phone: (651) 296-5663; TTY: (651) 296-1283; or toll-free: (800) 657-3704
Fax: (651) 296-9064
Website:
http://www.humanrights.state.mn.us or
http://www.therightsplace.org Commissioner, Velma Korbel
Deputy Commissioner,
Director of Policy and Legal Affairs, Linda Hanson
Minnesota State Legislature
Minnesota House of Representatives (651) 296-2146 or 1-800-657-3550
Minnesota Senate (651) 296-0504 and -2887 or 1-888-234-1112
http://www.leg.state.mn.us
