The Basics
MinnesotaCare is a public program that helps pay medical expenses for people with low to middle income. It is for individuals and families who:
- Can’t get affordable insurance through their job, Medical Assistance (MA), or Medicare, and
- Make $30,120 or less per year ($62,400 or less for a family of four).
If you qualify, MinnesotaCare will help pay for your visits to the doctor, hospital stays, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other medical services. To get MinnesotaCare, you may have to pay a monthly premium ($28 per family member or less).
This article is about MinnesotaCare and will help you understand:
- If it is right for you
- What services it covers
- How much it costs, and
- How to sign up.
If you have questions about MinnesotaCare and need to talk with somebody:
- Visit or call your local county or tribal human services office.
- Check out the MNsure website. You can also call them up at 1-855-3-MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
- Contact a MNsure Assister.
- If you have a disability, Chat with a Hub expert to learn more about health programs for people with disabilities.
- MinnesotaCare is for people whose families make 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or less and who do not qualify for Medical Assistance (MA).
- You can get MinnesotaCare no matter how much you have in assets.
- You cannot choose between MA or MinnesotaCare; if you qualify for one program, you will not qualify for the other.
- Monthly premiums are low.
- There is a single marketplace called MNsure where you can compare and sign up for plans, including MinnesotaCare and private health coverage.
Learn how Minnesota benefits can help you get ahead when you work by watching the short video below.
Note: DB101 keeps track of changes to health coverage and related laws. DB101 has been and will continue to be updated to reflect any changes. For news related to health coverage, visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
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Is it Right for You?
Everyone should be able to get health coverage. The question is, which plan is right for you and your family?
This page looks at whether you might qualify for MinnesotaCare. If you do, it is probably your best choice. You can see if you qualify for MinnesotaCare at MNsure.
If you don’t qualify for MinnesotaCare, consider other options, including Medical Assistance (MA) and private health insurance from your employer or through MNsure.
If you have been determined disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the State Medical Review Team (SMRT), you might qualify for MA instead of MinnesotaCare. Read DB101’s disability-based MA article and Chat with a Hub expert or visit your local county or tribal human services office.
MinnesotaCare Basic Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for MinnesotaCare, you usually must meet several basic requirements:
- Not be able to get Medicare, Medical Assistance (MA), or affordable employer-sponsored coverage, and
- Have income within certain limits.
Note: Starting January 1, 2025, immigration status does not impact MinnesotaCare eligibility. Now, any immigrant who cannot get other types of coverage and has income below the income limit may qualify for MinnesotaCare if they meet all other program requirements.
Not Be Able to Get Medicare, MA, or Employer-Sponsored Coverage
MinnesotaCare is meant for people who do not have other affordable coverage options. That means that if you could get Medicare, Medical Assistance (MA), or affordable employer-sponsored coverage, you cannot get MinnesotaCare. This is especially important for people with disabilities, because people with disabilities are more likely to qualify for MA. If you have a disability, read DB101’s disability-based MA article.
If you do not have one of these other options, keep reading this article.
Income
MinnesotaCare is for families with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) ($30,120 per year for an individual; $62,400 for a family of four), but above 138% of FPG ($20,783 for an individual; $43,056 for a family of four).
MinnesotaCare counts most types of earned and unearned income you have. However, some income is not counted, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and some contributions to retirement accounts. Learn more about what types of income affect MinnesotaCare eligibility.
Note: If you are an immigrant who cannot get Medical Assistance (MA) because of your immigration status, you may be eligible for MinnesotaCare even if your income is below 138% of FPG.
There are no limits to how much money or other assets you can have for this type of MA.
If you cannot get MinnesotaCare because your income is too high, consider buying an individual plan through MNsure. See DB101’s Buying Health Coverage on MNsure article.
| Your family size: | |
Income limits for your family: | |
| Income-based MA, adults (138% FPG) | |
| Income-based MA, children/pregnant women (280% FPG) | |
| MinnesotaCare (200% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans, reduced fees (250% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans (no income limit) | -- |
If your family's income is at or below the limit for a program, you may qualify if you meet other program rules.
Notes:
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The bottom line: If you meet the main requirements described here, MinnesotaCare is a great program that you should sign up for. We explain how to sign up later in this article.
If you can get MinnesotaCare, then you cannot get government help paying for a private insurance plan through tax credits. That means the private insurance plan could be more expensive for you. If you qualify for MinnesotaCare, it will always be a better option for you than paying for an individual plan.
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What it Covers
If you get MinnesotaCare, it will pay for a broad range of medical services, including all services that the government considers Essential Health Benefits (EHBs).
You get MinnesotaCare through a health plan in your area. If you’re not sure if a particular service is covered by MinnesotaCare, or if it requires prior authorization, ask your health plan.
Here is a list of the main services that MinnesotaCare provides:
- Alcohol and drug treatment
- Chiropractic care
- Dental care (limited for nonpregnant adults)
- Doctor/clinic visits
- Emergency room care (ER)
- Eyeglasses
- Family planning services
- Hearing aids
- Home care
- Hospice care
- Hospital services (inpatient and outpatient)
- Immunizations and vaccines
- Interpreter services
- Lab and X-rays
- Licensed birth center services
- Medical equipment and supplies
- Medical transportation (access, ambulance and special; only in emergencies for adults)
- Mental health care
- Outpatient surgery
- Prescriptions and Medication Therapy Management
- Rehabilitative therapy
MinnesotaCare does not provide some disability-related services, such as Personal Assistance Services. If you have a disability, find out if you qualify for disability-based MA. Contact your local county or tribal human services office for more information.
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What You Pay
You may have to pay a monthly premium for MinnesotaCare. The exact amount you pay depends on your family’s income and household size and the most you would have to pay is $28 per family member. Some people don't have to pay a premium, including children, American Indians, and households with income that is below 35% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Check MinnesotaCare’s premium table to see what your premium might be.
Generally, if you are 21 years old or older, you pay copayments for services. Copayment amounts depend on the medical service you get. Here are some examples:
- Nothing for preventive care
- $10 for generic prescription drugs and $25 for brand-name drugs
- $28 for nonpreventive office visits
- $100 for an emergency room visit
View the complete list of copayments for different types of health care. For more information about copayment amounts, call the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Help Desk at 1-651-431-2670 or 1-800-657-3739.
Note: American Indians in federally recognized tribes do not pay copayments or deductibles.
Geraldine is on MinnesotaCare and each month pays a $28 premium. One hot day in early July, she feels weak and realizes she needs to go to the doctor. The doctor checks her out, says that Geraldine has a stomach flu, and prescribes her a medication that will help her feel better as she recovers.
Geraldine pays a $28 copay for the visit and a $10 copay for the medication. Her total cost for the visit is $38.00.
Compared to Private Insurance
MinnesotaCare’s premium, deductible, and copayments are lower than the premium and copayments required by most private insurance plans. For example, many private insurance plans charge hundreds of dollars each month in premiums, have annual deductibles that require you to pay thousands of dollars before the plan will cover most services and, even after the deductible is paid, many private insurance plans require $50 or higher copayments for services.
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How to Sign Up
Application
There are two main ways to apply for health coverage:
- Online using MNsure, a one-stop shop where you can learn about your public and private coverage options.
- Filling out a paper application and faxing it in to 1-651-431-7750 or mailing it to the address listed on the form.
No matter how you apply, it is important to know that if you are not eligible for MinnesotaCare, you may be able to get Medical Assistance (MA) or private insurance subsidized by the government.
How Your Application Is Reviewed for Eligibility
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First, your application will be reviewed to see if you qualify for income-based MA.
- If you do qualify, MNsure will let you know and you can sign up.
- If you do not qualify, your application will be reviewed to see if you might qualify for disability-based MA. If so, you will be contacted for additional information to complete your application. To learn more about this process, see DB101’s disability-based MA article.
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If there is no way you can qualify for MA, your application will be reviewed to see if you qualify for MinnesotaCare.
- If you do qualify, MNsure will let you know and you can sign up.
- If you do not qualify, MNsure will display private insurance plans that the government may help pay for through tax subsidies, depending on your situation. For more information about these, see DB101’s article about Buying Health Coverage on MNsure.
Staying on MinnesotaCare
Usually, once you are approved for MinnesotaCare, you will continue to get it for 12 months. If your income, residency, or household size changes, update your information on MNsure or let your county or tribal human services office know. When you report your changes, the eligibility system will tell you whether you will continue getting MinnesotaCare or if you have new health coverage options. There should always be at least one health coverage option for your family.
If you need help applying for health coverage, try the following options:
- Check out the MNsure website. You can also call them up at 1-855-3-MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
- Contact a MNsure Assister who can guide you through each step of your application.
- Visit or call your local county or tribal human services office.
- If you have a disability, Chat with a Hub expert to learn more about health programs for people with disabilities.
- If you do not speak English, call the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Multilingual Referral Line.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I sign up?
There are 3 main ways to apply for MinnesotaCare:
- Online using MNsure.
- In person at your local county or tribal human services office.
- Filling out a paper application and faxing it in to 1-651-431-7750 or mailing it to the address listed on the form.
This is really confusing. Where can I get help?
- MNsure has a lot of great information about your options. You can also call MNsure at 1-855-3-MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
- Contact a MNsure Assister.
- If you have a disability, Chat with a Hub expert to learn if you have additional options.
- If you do not speak English, call the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Multilingual Referral Line.
- Minnesota has detailed information about the implementation of health care reform.
What’s the difference between MA and MinnesotaCare?
Both Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare are public health coverage programs:
- Income-based MA is for people with income that’s 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or less, which is $20,783 per year for an individual ($43,056 for a family of four). The income limits are higher for pregnant women and children and are calculated differently for disability-based MA.
-
MinnesotaCare is similar to MA, but you have to pay a monthly premium for it. It is for people who:
- Have income at or below 200% of FPG ($30,120 per year for an individual; $62,400 for a family of four), and
- Can’t get affordable health coverage through MA, Medicare, or their jobs.
Can I get MinnesotaCare coverage if I also have Medicare coverage?
No. MinnesotaCare is only for people who cannot get Medicare, Medical Assistance (MA), or affordable employer-sponsored coverage.
How much does MinnesotaCare cost?
You may have to pay a monthly premium for MinnesotaCare. The exact amount you pay depends on your family’s income and household size and the most you would have to pay is $28 per family member. Some people don't have to pay a premium, including children, American Indians, and households with income that is below 35% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Check MinnesotaCare’s premium table to see what your premium might be.
Generally, if you are 21 years old or older, you pay copayments for services. Copayment amounts depend on the medical service you get. Here are some examples:
- Nothing for preventive care
- $10 for generic prescription drugs and $25 for brand-name drugs
- $28 for nonpreventive office visits
- $100 for an emergency room visit
For more information about copayment amounts, call the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Help Desk at 1-651-431-2670 or 1-800-657-3739.
Note: American Indians in federally recognized tribes do not pay copayments or deductibles.
To qualify for MinnesotaCare, is there a limit on the amount of assets my family can have?
No. MinnesotaCare has no asset limit.
If my job offers me health coverage, am I allowed to sign up for MinnesotaCare?
If your employer offers you affordable health coverage, you cannot get MinnesotaCare nor can you get subsidies for purchasing an individual health plan through MNsure.
I qualify for MinnesotaCare, but want to get a private insurance plan instead. Can I do that?
If you qualify for MinnesotaCare, you cannot get a subsidized individual insurance plan. What that means is that if you chose to get a private plan, you would have to pay the full monthly premium yourself, with no government help through tax credits.
If you qualify for MinnesotaCare, it is usually your best choice.
I’m an immigrant. Can I get MinnesotaCare?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2025, immigration status does not impact MinnesotaCare eligibility. Now, any immigrant who cannot get other types of coverage and has income below the income limit may qualify.
Note: If you are an immigrant who cannot get Medical Assistance (MA), you may be able to get MinnesotaCare even if your income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) ($20,783 per year; $43,056 for a family of four).
I make too much money for MinnesotaCare, but not enough to afford private coverage. What are my options?
If you make more than the income limit for MinnesotaCare and cannot get coverage through your or a family member’s job, use MNsure to see about getting an individual plan that the government will help you pay for. Read DB101’s Individual Health Plans article to learn more about how to buy insurance on your own through MNsure.
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Common Pitfalls
Thinking you don’t qualify because you didn’t in the past
The eligibility rules for Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare are different than they used to be:
- They no longer have asset limits
- Income-based MA has a much higher income limit than it did before 2014
- MinnesotaCare doesn’t require you to have been uninsured for months prior to your application
These are just a few of the big changes. If you applied for one of these programs in the past and were rejected, try again, because these programs are accepting many more people than they used to.
Thinking you can’t get MA or MinnesotaCare because you have too much money in the bank
It used to be that MA and MinnesotaCare had limits on how much your family could have in assets, including things like your money in the bank, the value of your cars, or other investments. They don’t anymore.
No matter how much your family has in assets, you can get MA or MinnesotaCare if you meet other program requirements and your income is at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for MA or at or below 200% of FPG for MinnesotaCare.
| Your family size: | |
Income limits for your family: | |
| Income-based MA, adults (138% FPG) | |
| Income-based MA, children/pregnant women (280% FPG) | |
| MinnesotaCare (200% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans, reduced fees (250% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans (no income limit) | -- |
If your family's income is at or below the limit for a program, you may qualify if you meet other program rules.
Notes:
| |
Not getting health coverage because you think it will be too expensive
In the past, some people found it impossible to find health coverage that was affordable and met their needs. Now, there should be an option for almost everybody, even if you have a disability. The exact health coverage that will be right for you will depend on things like your family’s income, whether you have access to employer-sponsored coverage, your age, where you live, if you use tobacco products, and whether you have a disability.
If you do not have the option of employer-sponsored coverage, you may be able to get government help through tax credits paying for an individual plan on MNsure. If you cannot afford private individual coverage, your best options will be public programs, like Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, or Medicare, if you qualify.
Note: It is very important to have health coverage, but starting in 2019 there is no tax penalty if you don't have coverage.
Not comparing MA-EPD’s premium to premiums for MinnesotaCare and individual coverage
If you do not have the option of employer-provided coverage, you may qualify to get MinnesotaCare or get government help paying for an individual plan on MNsure. If you qualify for MinnesotaCare or tax subsidies to get an individual plan, the premiums for those options may be lower than the premium for MA-EPD, depending on your situation.
You may be eligible for MinnesotaCare if your family’s income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) ($30,120 per year for an individual; $62,400 for a family of four). If you get MinnesotaCare, your monthly premium will be $28 per family member or less. There is no premium for children and American Indians. Read DB101’s MinnesotaCare article.
You may be eligible for government help paying for an individual health plan on MNsure. Read DB101’s Buying Individual Coverage on MNsure article.
| Your family size: | |
Income limits for your family: | |
| Income-based MA, adults (138% FPG) | |
| Income-based MA, children/pregnant women (280% FPG) | |
| MinnesotaCare (200% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans, reduced fees (250% FPG) | |
| Subsidized private plans (no income limit) | -- |
If your family's income is at or below the limit for a program, you may qualify if you meet other program rules.
Notes:
| |
Not going back to work because you fear losing your coverage
In the past, people feared that if they got a job while on public health coverage, like Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare, they’d lose that coverage, because they would no longer have low enough income to qualify.
Now, if you lose one health coverage option, there should be another one you can get. If you lose your current coverage, you should either become eligible for employer-sponsored coverage, another public coverage program, or private individual coverage. And, if you can’t afford the individual coverage, the government may help you pay for it through tax credits.
The bottom line: There is a coverage option for almost everybody. Do not worry that getting a job will leave you without health coverage.
Not looking into how to get MA as a person with a disability
If you have a disability, there are additional ways to qualify for MA. You may be able to earn more money without losing your MA coverage or get additional services, like Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Learn more about the different ways of qualifying in DB101's MA overview.
Turning down coverage offered by your job
If your employer offers affordable coverage for you and your family, you will not be eligible for MinnesotaCare nor will you be able to get subsidies to purchase individual coverage on MNsure. That means that if your employer offers coverage, it is probably your best option.
The only programs that might help you even if your employer offers coverage are Medical Assistance (MA) and Medicare. To learn more about the relationship between those programs and employer-sponsored coverage, read DB101’s article about employer-sponsored health coverage.
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Next Steps
Learn more about MinnesotaCare
To learn more about health coverage:
- Visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) website for general information on Minnesota health care programs.
- MNsure has a lot of information about MinnesotaCare. You can also call MNsure at 1-855-3-MNSURE (1-855-366-7873).
- Contact a MNsure Assister.
- If you have a disability, Chat with a Hub expert to learn if you have MA options.
- Visit your local county or tribal human services office.
- Read Minnesota's detailed information about health care reform.
Apply for MinnesotaCare
There are 2 main ways to apply for health coverage:
- Online using MNsure.
- Filling out a paper application and faxing it in to 1-651-431-7750 or mailing it to the address listed on the form.
Learn About Work and Benefits - Chat with a Hub expert!
When you have questions or need help, use Chat with a Hub expert. This feature connects you to a DB101 Expert using live chat, phone, or secure email. Anything you talk about is private.
- Understand your current benefits
- Get help using DB101.org
- Connect to resources
- Plan next steps
Free Legal Help
The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) provides free assistance to people with civil legal issues related to their disability. Call the MDLC Intake Line at 1-612-334-5970 (Twin Cities metro area), 1-800-292-4150 (Greater Minnesota), or 1-612-332-4668 (TTY).
Find Local Services
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You can use MinnesotaHelp.info to find social services near you, from benefits applications to job counseling. |
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