Guide to Minnesota's Public Health Care Programs (2024)

What Public Programs Are Available?

This guide explains two publicly funded health care programs available to Minnesotans. These programs have eligibility requirements. The two public programs are:

Medical Assistance (MA)
MinnesotaCare

What is Medical Assistance (MA)?

Medical Assistance pays for medical care for very low-income Minnesotans. There are eligibility requirements for the program. Federal and state dollars pay for MA. (This program is different from Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and for certain people with disabilities.) In 2011 Medical Assistance expanded its coverage to provide coverage to more low income adults. The General Assistance Medical Care program ended.

How do I apply for Medical Assistance?

To apply for MA, call or go to the human service agency in the county where you live. County agencies are listed toward the end of this brochure. You can apply even if you are not sure that you are eligible.

When you apply, you will fill out an application form and be asked for proof of some of the information you give. You also will talk with a person who works for the county agency. There are people at the county who can help you fill out the application. You can print a copy of the application from the Web at Minnesota Department of Human Services and mail it in.

Your county agency will let you know if you are eligible for assistance within 45 days (60 days if they need a disability certification; 15 days for pregnant women). If a decision is not made in that time, the county agency will explain why in writing.

If you are found to be eligible, the county will enroll you in the MA program. Every six months a county financial worker will review your situation to see if you are still eligible for health care assistance. You must complete, sign, date and return all forms sent to you by your county agency. If you do not, you will lose your Medical Assistance.

Your financial worker may ask you to provide:

your last checking or savings account statement and/or sign a release-of-information form for your bank
proof of ownership for stocks, bonds, savings certificates, trust funds or other financial assets
proof of current unearned income
pay stubs for all employed family members for the last 30 days and/or your most recent tax form

What is MinnesotaCare?

MinnesotaCare is a health care program for uninsured working Minnesotans. MinnesotaCare does not pay for past medical bills. MinnesotaCare is for Minnesota residents who meet income and other eligibility guidelines. MinnesotaCare is paid for with state and federal tax dollars, provider taxes and premiums paid by people who are enrolled.

It takes 30-45 days to process the application. Enrollees pay a monthly premium based on family size, income and the number of people in their family who are covered. Children under age 21 who meet a lower income guideline pay a fixed premium of $4 a month. Coverage starts the first of the month after payment is received. Continued coverage depends on timely payment of premiums. MinnesotaCare enrollees must complete a renewal application every year.

How do I apply for MinnesotaCare?

Request an application by calling MinnesotaCare at (651) 297-3862 (Twin Cities Metro) or 1-800-657-3672 (toll-free). For TTY call 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Complete it and mail it in.
Print the application from the Minnesota Department of Human Services website, complete it and mail it in.
Apply in person at some county human service agencies.
Apply in person at the Minnesota Department of Human Services office in downtown St. Paul at 540 Cedar Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Ask your local medical providers, schools, and human service agencies if they have an application. Many of them do.

Eligibility requirements for MinnesotaCare:

Live in Minnesota.
Meet income and asset guidelines.
Be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying noncitizen.
Not currently insured or covered by other health insurance within the last four months (this includes Medicare). Some exceptions apply for people coming from MA and children who meet a lower income guideline.
No access to employer-paid insurance with a current employer where the employer pays 50 percent or more of the monthly premium. Does not apply to children who meet lower income guidelines.
Current employer has not withdrawn employer-paid (50 percent or more) health insurance in the past 18 months.
Asset limit of $10,000 for one person, $20,000 for two or more people. (Pregnant women and children under 21 years old have no asset limits.

Applications require proof of income, such as federal 1040 tax forms, W-2 forms, wage statements or pay stubs.

Will the application information I give to the county or state stay private?

The information you give to the county or state agency is private. No one other than you and certain personnel at government agencies may see this information. You have the right to examine your file to see if the information is correct.

What if I don't qualify for any of these programs?

There are several organizations listed in the "Guide to Additional Health Care Resources" that may be able to help you. Most programs and organizations listed in the guide have eligibility requirements. Take the time to read about the various services available and contact the programs that fit your present situation.

Medicare

What assistance is available to help Medicare enrollees pay for Medicare?

The Medicare Savings Programs help pay premiums and certain other costs for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Contact your county human services agency to determine if you are eligible.

Medical Assistance for Qualified Individuals (QI-1) helps pay Medicare Part B premiums.
Medical Assistance for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) helps pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums and Medicare deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays.
Medical Assistance for Service Limited Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) helps pay Medicare Part B premiums.

The Low Income Subsidy (LIS), often referred to as "extra help," helps pay Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums, co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for eligible individuals. Depending on your income and assets you may be eligible for full or partial assistance. There is no "doughnut hole" or "coverage gap" when you receive "extra help" but you may have to pay a co-pay or co-insurance. View the Social Security website or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to determine if you are eligible to apply for assistance. You can also contact the Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433. Some individuals are automatically provided this assistance and would not need to apply for it.

List of Human Service Agencies by County

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Aitkin County Health & Human Service Agency
(218) 927-7200
Courthouse Annex
204 First Street N.W.
Aitkin 56431-1291

Anoka County Human Services Division
(763) 422-7200
Anoka County Government Center
2100 Third Avenue
Anoka 55303-2264

Southern Anoka County Neighborhood Center
(763) 789-4326
3980 Central Avenue N.E.
Columbia Heights 55421-3931

Becker County Human Services
(218) 847-5628
712 Minnesota Avenue
P.O. Box 1637
Detroit Lakes 56502-1637

Beltrami County Human Service
(218) 333-8300
616 America Ave. N.W., Suite 330
Bemidji 56601

Benton County Human Services
(320) 968-5087
531 Dewey Street, P.O. Box 740
Foley 56329-0740

Big Stone County Family Services
(320) 839-2555
340 N.W. Second Street, P.O. Box 338
Ortonville 56278-0338

Blue Earth County Human Services
(507) 304-4335
Blue Earth County Government Center
410 South Fifth Street, P.O. Box 3526
Mankato 56002-3526

Brown County Family Services
(507) 354-8246
1117 Center Street, P.O. Box 788
New Ulm 56073-0788