Navigating the Open Enrollment Minefield with Kelly Connaughty of HealthMarkets

Open enrollment season always brings a mix of emotions—confusion, frustration, and sometimes even a little fear—as people try to sort out what’s happening with their health insurance. That’s exactly why I’ve loved having partners like Kelly Connaughty of HealthMarkets, who joined us for this episode of Take Charge with HELPcare. Kelly has become a trusted advisor for HELPcare Clinic members and prospective members during the last two enrollment seasons, and our podcast discussion gives a good window into Kelly's approach to helping people sort out their insurance options.

At HELPcare we're always looking for ways to help people take charge of both their care and their coverage. Kelly brought clarity to an ever-shifting landscape—particularly in the Medicare Advantage and MnSure markets—while also highlighting opportunities that many people don’t know they have.

Major Shakeups in Medicare Advantage

Kelly started by outlining some of the unprecedented changes happening this year. Several carriers, including Blue Cross and Humana, have pulled popular low-cost Medicare Advantage plans from Olmsted County and large parts of Minnesota. Even more disruptive, many seniors received letters informing them that Mayo Clinic is no longer in network for specific plans. And perhaps the biggest news: UCare exited Medicare Advantage entirely, affecting over 150,000 Minnesotans. 

For many people, these changes feel overwhelming—and Kelly has been fielding call after call from seniors who suddenly need to find a new plan that covers their doctors and medications. As he put it, these situations aren’t fun, but they highlight how important it is to have a knowledgeable professional walking alongside you.

What’s Happening on the MnSure Exchange

Things are shifting in the non-Medicare market too. Kelly noted that the enhanced tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act are scheduled to sunset after 2025, creating a “benefits cliff” that could leave many families unexpectedly repaying subsidies if their income rises. On top of that, premium increases are significant—Medica alone filed for an average 30% increase, with other insurers close behind.

Yet amid the challenges, Kelly highlighted some genuinely good news.

HSA Enhancements and Direct Primary Care Pair Beautifully

One of the most exciting developments—especially for HELPcare Clinic members—is that in 2026 all Bronze marketplace plans are now HSA-compatible, and starting Jan. 1 HSA funds can be used to pay for Direct Primary Care memberships. This is a huge win for people looking to pair a lower-cost insurance plan with accessible, relationship-based care. 

Kelly shared several stories of clients who moved from expensive Silver or Gold plans to lower-premium Bronze plans while joining HELPcare Clinic. Some of them saved $4,000–$6,000 per year—money they could then redirect toward actual care instead of unused coverage. And with the tax advantages of HSAs, those membership dollars now stretch even further.

Why Having an Assister Matters

One point I always stress—because I’ve seen it firsthand—is that working with someone like Kelly doesn’t cost you anything. MnSure assisters and licensed brokers are paid by insurance carriers, not by clients, and your premium is the same whether you use an expert or try to figure it out yourself. Kelly’s deep, hands-on approach mirrors what we strive for at HELPcare: understanding each person’s unique situation and helping them find a solution that truly fits. 

Watch:

Open enrollment deadlines are approaching quickly. If you’re considering HELPcare Clinic or simply want to understand your insurance options better, I can’t recommend Kelly enough. And I hope you’ll join us for future episodes of Take Charge with HELPcare as we keep exploring ways to help you take greater ownership of your health—and your health care.

Be sure to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or watch the video edition by subscribing to the HELPcare YouTube channel.

If you're a medical professional looking for a different way to practice, check out our HELPcare Careers page.

Share this:

Lee Aase

Lee Aase is the founder of HELPcare LLC, which provides comprehensive membership, marketing and management services for provider-owned HELPcare Clinics, as well as metabolic health education and coaching for people interested in restoring health and reversing disease through lifestyle changes. Lee and his wife Lisa live in Austin, MN and have six married children and 19 grandchildren.