MNsure Gets Extra $34M From Feds For Upgrades

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Minnesota's health insurance exchange is getting some extra cash from the federal government.

MNsure CEO Scott Leitz says they'll use an additional $34 million to make website improvements and smooth the transfer of data to insurance companies.

MNsure has now received almost $190 million from the federal government.

The insurance exchange announced the grant increase at a board meeting Wednesday. Nine other state-based exchanges have received a similar grant increase.

A smoother rollout in year two has helped MNsure sign up more Minnesotans during open enrollment compared to last year. But backend problems like issues sending enrollment data to insurance companies have persisted.

Leitz says the extra money will help MNsure fix that problem and others faster.