Minnesota Health Insurance Coverage

Minnesotans can obtain health insurance coverage through state programs and private insurance companies. State programs include Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and Medicare Savings plans. Residents can apply for state-sponsored programs by submitting a single application. State plans help participants pay for doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health services and dental care. Private insurance companies offer plans for individuals and families, including long-term coverage, short-term insurance for coverage gaps and supplemental programs for Medicare recipients.

Medical Assistance

• The state extends eligibility for Medical Assistance coverage to children under the age of 21, pregnant women and adults with no children between the ages of 21 and 64. To qualify, candidates must meet asset and income limits and live in the State of Minnesota. Medical Assistance also offers the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities plan, which provides coverage for people with disabilities, but who also hold jobs. Individuals who qualify for the MA-EPD plan must pay premiums based on their monthly income, with the exception of American Indians.

MinnesotaCare

• The state offers MinnesotaCare for people who cannot get health insurance through their employers and do not have coverage. To qualify for coverage, participants must hold United States citizenship, meet asset and income guidelines and live in Minnesota. The program requires participants to pay premiums for coverage, unless they meet certain criteria. American Indians and family members of American Indians already participating in the MinnesotaCare program do not face premium requirements. Certain family members of military personnel can also receive free coverage. The program exempts from asset limits children under the age of 21 and pregnant women. For participants who must pay for coverage, the cost of monthly premiums depends on household income and family size.

Medicare Savings Programs

• Minnesotans eligible for, or enrolled in, the federal Medicare program may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, including the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Service Limited Medicare Beneficiary, Qualified Working Disabled and Qualified Individual plans. All plans require candidates to meet income and asset guidelines to qualify. The QMB program pays a Medicare recipient's monthly premiums, coinsurance payments, copayments and deductibles. The SLMB and QI programs pay premiums for Medicare Part B recipients. The QWD program pays premiums for disabled Medicare Part A recipients who do not qualify for free coverage.

Private Insurance

• Private insurance companies, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Medica, offer coverage for Minnesota individuals and families. Blue Cross and Blue Shield offers short-term health insurance plans to cover gaps in coverage for up to 90 days. The company also features Medicare coverage plans and group health insurance programs for businesses. Group plans can cover as few as two employees, up to more than 50 workers. Medica provides plans to help pay for doctor visits, prescription drugs, emergency care, hospitalization and laboratory services. The majority of Medica plans allow participants to choose deductible and copayment levels to fit their budgets. Medica programs offer coverage for families, individuals and special plans to help pay prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients.