Medica wants to educate public on Affordable Care Act

One of Minnesota's leading health insurers has launched a campaign to educate the public about the Affordable Care Act.

Minnetonka-based Medica will kick-off its campaign at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday. The effort is meant to help people understand how the federal health care law will affect them, said Rob Longendyke, Medica's senior vice president of marketing and communications.

"We recognize that consumers have different levels of interest and understanding of health care reform, which is why we have created a variety of ways for anyone to learn more about this important topic," Longendyke said in a news release .

Medica is one of nine insurers applying to sell coverage through MNsure, the state's new online insurance marketplace, though the company said its public awareness campaign is targeted at any Minnesotan that has questions about the health care law.

In addition to a booth at the fair, people can learn more about the law and about MNsure on a website Medica launched this week. The site includes a link to a calculator meant to help people determine whether they are eligible for federal subsidies to pay for coverage.

Meanwhile UCare, a Minneapolis-based insurer that also plans to participate in MNsure, will hold informational meetings on the exchange throughout September.