Minnesota State Health Insurance

MinnesotaCare is the Minnesota state-run health insurance plan. The plan, funded by health provider taxes, hospital taxes, federal grants and premium payments, provides health insurance for low-income and impoverished Minnesota residents without access to affordable private health insurance plans. The program offers comprehensive health insurance plans covering a wide range of medical services.

Eligibility

• To be eligible under MinnesotaCare, individuals must be unable to obtain private, affordable health coverage through their employers. The Minnesota Department of Human Services defines "affordable, employer-subsidized health coverage" as situations when an employer pays 50 percent or more of the worker's monthly health insurance premium. Additionally, individuals and families must fall below the state-designated income limits -- which vary based on age and household size -- to be eligible for coverage under MinnesotaCare.

Plans

• The Minnesota DHS offers several types of MinnesotaCare health coverage plans. These vary slightly based on household status, age and presence of children. All MinnesotaCare plans offer emergency health, general health, vision and dental coverage. The plans serving pregnant women, individuals under age 21, and parents with two or more children do not require patient co-pays. Other plans require patients to pay a nominal fee when receiving non-emergency health services, prescription drugs or inpatient hospital care. Additionally, the plan serving adults without children under 21 offers only limited dental care and emergency-only medical transportation.

Premium Payments

• As with private health insurance plans, MinnesotaCare recipients must pay monthly premiums to receive coverage, except those with disabilities or very low incomes. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, monthly premiums vary based on several factors, including recipients' income, family size, location and level of health coverage. MinnesotaCare recipients may pay their monthly premiums online, by automatic direct debit from their bank accounts, or by cash or check at their nearest Minnesota DHS office.

Application Process

• To apply for MinnesotaCare health coverage, individuals may fill out the official application form (see Resources). Additionally, applicants must present copies of documents proving residency, as well as proof of income and assets. Specifically, applicants should include proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, or legal immigration status if not a U.S. citizen, as well as documents proving income and assets, such as tax returns, pay stubs or bank statements. Applicants must mail the application forms, along with photocopies of the proofs of residency and income, to the MinnesotaCare office (see Resources). Also, if individuals reside in a county with a MinnesotaCare office, they may visit that office to apply in person.