Small changes would go a long way in insurance measure passed by House

A small change in law that proponents say would make big improvements to consumer protections for Minnesotans dealing with the individual insurance market was passed 129-0 by the House Thursday.

Rep. Greg Davids

Sponsored by Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston), HF212 would change “qualified” health plans to “individual” health plans in certain statutes, giving representation by a licensed insurance agent to all consumers in the individual market. Previous interpretations of the law limited those protections only to people buying individual insurance through the state-run MNsure marketplace.

The bill would also prohibit insurance officials not certified in Medicare from giving Medicare-related advice to consumers.

It now heads to the Senate where Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids) is the sponsor.