Customers who saw skyrocketing premiums on health insurance bought on Minnesota's individual market should start seeing rebates on their bills by April, state budget officials said Monday.

The 25 percent discount applies to Minnesotans who buy insurance on the individual market but do not receive federal subsidies. People in that group have seen their premiums jump by more than 50 percent in recent years, and state lawmakers acted early in the legislative session to provide some help.

Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Eric Hallstrom said officials will be submitting reimbursement forms to insurance companies by March 1. Those companies will then discount eligible customers' bills and be reimbursed by the state.

Hallstrom said people eligible for the discount should continue paying their bills in full until they see the reduction. Insurance companies will then either issue checks or provide additional rebates to make up for the discounts missed in the first few months of the year.

Erin Golden