Page 9 - PMFL Employer Toolkit

If an employer provides an equivalent plan, do they still have responsibilities under Minnesota Paid Leave?
Yes. Employers approved for an equivalent plan will not pay premiums to the state, but they will still have obligations under Minnesota Paid Leave. For example, these employers must still submit wage detail reports to the state each quarter and comply with requirements to notify employees about coverage.
Who approves equivalent plans?
Equivalent plans are approved by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce works with DEED to certify insurance carrier plans that meet program requirements. This way, employers have a market of approved plans available if they decide to offer paid leave benefits through an equivalent plan. A list of carriers with approved plans can be found at Approved equivalent plans (PDF)
(https://mn.gov/deed/assets/approved-equivalent-plans_tcm1045-695686.pdf)
How can an insurance carrier be certified to offer an equivalent plan?
Certification of insurance carrier plans will be offered continuously. Insurance carriers who are interested in providing an equivalent plan can find guidance from the Department of Commerce. (https://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/industry/filings-examinations/rate-form-filings/#9)
How can employers request an Equivalent Plan Substitution?
Employers can request an Equivalent Plan Substitution through their Paid Leave Administrator account.
(https://paidleave.mn.gov)
How much does it cost to request an Equivalent Plan Substitution?
To request an Equivalent Plan Substitution, employers must pay a processing fee and a non-refundable request fee. The request fee is based on the size of your business:
• $250 for employers with fewer than 50 employees • $500 for employers with 50 to 499 employees
• $1,000 for employers with 500 or more employees
What is the deadline to request an Equivalent Plan Substitution?
Employers can submit a request at any time, and they will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis.
An equivalent plan can take effect at the start of any quarter. It is best to submit your request as soon as it is ready, ideally one quarter before you want the plan to take place. This will allow time for the Paid Leave team to review your request and for you to provide any additional information or documentation that may be required. It will also ensure you have time
to notify your employees.If you want your plan to be in place when the program launches on January 1, 2026, you should submit your request by November 10, 2025. More information: (https://mn.gov/deed/paidleave/employers/faq/#toggle-41)
FrequentlyAskedQuestions (continued)
Do employers need to renew their Equivalent Plan Substitution?
Equivalent Plan Substitutions must be renewed annually, one year after the policy effective date. Employers will need to pay a fee to renew.
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