Dayton: MNsure Wait Times Down To About 45 Seconds

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a rough start to open enrollment, Minnesotans are having a much easier time signing up for health insurance through MNsure.

Gov. Mark Dayton touted the improvements at a press conference Friday morning

"The current wait time, as of 10 a.m., is zero minutes and 45 seconds," said Dayton.

When open enrollment began on Tuesday, Minnesotans wanting insurance faced a 30 minute website crash and long delays during calls to the call center. Earlier in the week, Dayton announced that a robocall operation likely led to the delays. He reiterated that assumption Friday.

"Somebody set up the robocalls with the intention of jamming the system. I can't imagine any other intention. Who it was, what their motive was, I have no idea," Dayton said.

As of Friday morning, MNsure sign up totals topped more than 13,000 Minnesotans, the result of concern over plan availability and rising premiums.

Dayton met with legislators Friday afternoon to discuss relief for those on the individual market who won't get federal tax credit.

"We're working with them toward the goal to have that ready to present to the legislature right after the election, if not before," Dayton said.

Dayton is pushing a monthly rebate plan to reduce premiums by using more than $300 million meant for the state's rainy day fund.

It's a proposal that's far from being finalized.

Republicans have concerns about overall costs and details of the plan.

"I'm not opposed to anything right now, I just want to get something," Dayton said.

Dayton also said MNsure is nowhere near the limit on the insurance plan caps. The caps, which would limit plan availability, are one reason for the high traffic in the first few days of open enrollment.

Legislators have plans to meet in the coming days to discuss the possibility of a special session.