State officials say they’re making progress with insurance companies on implementing the 25-percent health insurance premium discount the legislature approved in January. It will apply to those who buy through MNsure or the private market, but not to employer-based health insurance. Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans says the plan is to have it in place by April, for premiums due in May. Frans says, “Obviously we’ll have to just see how that goes. I mean, our goal is to make sure that they’re all implemented in April and we are working with them. They’re committed to that process and that’s all we can say at this point.”
The discount will appear directly on the policyholder’s bill. Discounts also apply retroactively to January, but Frans says it depends on the insurance company how it will be handled — possibly through a credit on the bill or a check issued directly to the health insurance policyholder.