Minnesota's health exchange reports record number of signups

(AP) — A record number of residents signed up for private insurance this year through Minnesota's health exchange, officials said Thursday, attributing the spike in part to uncertainty over the federal health care law and a novel state program that offsets skyrocketing premiums.

Combined with concern about shrinking plan access in Minnesota's fragile health insurance market, O'Toole said that uncertainty might have prompted more Minnesota residents to try to lock in coverage before there are massive changes.

MNsure's initial data shows 41,000 of its shoppers will receive the state's new 25 percent discount — a sum that doesn't include residents who purchased coverage through insurance agents or directly from health plans.