ST. PAUL — State officials say a problem with the MNsure system has prevented about 7,500 people from enrolling in public health insurance programs.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services expects to resolve the problem in about 10 days.

Deputy Human Services Commissioner Chuck Johnson tells the Star Tribune people who should have had coverage starting Jan. 1 will either have retroactive benefits, or the state will cover the cost of medical bills as needed.

Johnson says the problem stems from people trying to enroll in coverage for 2015 through a new account, rather than the account they created to obtain coverage for 2014.

He says the glitch apparently catches only those who didn’t qualify last year for one of the public health insurance programs but are now eligible for coverage in 2015.