
MinnesotaCare is a health care program for Minnesota residents with low incomes who cannot get affordable health insurance through their employer and do not qualify for Medical Assistance. It is funded by a state tax on Minnesota hospitals and health care providers, federal Basic Health Program funding, and enrollee premiums. MinnesotaCare pays for a variety of services like doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital stays. Coverage may be different for children, pregnant people, and other adults. To apply for MinnesotaCare, you can go to the MNsure website or call 1-855-366-7873. You can also download the application and submit it to any of the three MNPrairie County Alliance locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is it for? | Minnesotans with low incomes who cannot get affordable insurance through their employer and do not qualify for Medical Assistance |
| Who is ineligible? | People with other health insurance or affordable and comprehensive insurance through their job |
| What does it cover? | Doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital stays. Coverage may be different for children, pregnant people, and other adults |
| What does it not cover? | Past medical bills |
| How is it funded? | State and federal tax dollars, provider taxes, and enrollee premiums |
| What are the out-of-pocket costs? | MinnesotaCare members may have small co-pays and may need to pay a monthly premium based on household size and income |
| How to apply | Apply online at MNsure.org or call 1-855-366-7873. You can also download the application and submit it to any of the three MNPrairie County Alliance locations |
| Processing time | 30-45 days |
| Additional support | MNsure-certified navigators can provide free help in multiple languages by calling 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873 |
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What You'll Learn

Eligibility requirements
MinnesotaCare is a health care program for uninsured Minnesotans with low incomes who cannot get affordable insurance through their employer. It is funded by state and federal tax dollars, provider taxes, and enrollee premiums. MinnesotaCare does not pay for past medical bills.
To be eligible for MinnesotaCare, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be a resident of Minnesota.
- You must meet income guidelines. Your household income must be within the limits set by the program, and you must not have access to affordable health care coverage.
- You must not have other health insurance, including Medicare. However, if your job offers you health insurance, you may still qualify if the insurance is considered unaffordable or does not provide comprehensive coverage.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying noncitizen.
- You must not have received health insurance coverage from another source within the last four months.
It's important to note that there is no asset limit for MinnesotaCare. Assets include items like cars, checking and savings accounts, homes, and financial investments. However, if your income is too high to qualify for MinnesotaCare, you may still be eligible for other programs, such as Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities or the TEFRA option for children with disabilities.
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Application process
MinnesotaCare is a health care program for uninsured working Minnesotans with low incomes who cannot get affordable insurance through their employer. It is funded by state and federal tax dollars, provider taxes, and enrollee premiums. MinnesotaCare does not pay for past medical bills.
To apply for MinnesotaCare, you must be a resident of Minnesota, meet income and other eligibility guidelines, and not have other health insurance. You can apply for MinnesotaCare online at the MNsure website, which is the recommended way to apply. Alternatively, you can download the MNsure application and submit it to one of the three MNPrairie County Alliance locations. If you are an undocumented resident, submit your application to Hennepin County. You can also call MNsure at 1-855-366-7873 to apply or get help in your language.
The application process typically takes 30-45 days. If you need health care coverage immediately, you may be able to get it through Medical Assistance (MA or Medicaid), which is a separate program for very low-income Minnesotans. You can apply for MA by calling or visiting the human service agency in your county.
If you do not qualify for MinnesotaCare or MA, you can still purchase health insurance through MNsure and see if you qualify for a federal tax credit.
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Alternative options
If you are looking for alternative health insurance options in Minnesota, there are several options available. Firstly, you can explore the MNsure website, which offers public and open-market health insurance plans. MNsure typically has lower monthly premium costs compared to other options like COBRA. You may even qualify for financial assistance, tax credits, or low-cost or no-cost insurance plans through MNsure. Losing job-based insurance coverage qualifies you for a 60-day special enrollment period, ensuring you can secure coverage outside the regular open enrollment period.
Additionally, Minnesota offers the Medical Assistance program for very low-income residents. This program is funded by federal and state dollars and provides medical care for those who meet the eligibility requirements. To apply for Medical Assistance, you can contact the human service agency in your county.
For those seeking long-term care insurance, the Minnesota Department of Commerce provides information and resources. You can refer to their Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance for additional insights.
Another alternative is the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association, which offers health coverage to individuals who have been rejected from private market insurance due to pre-existing conditions.
It is important to remember that each program has its own set of eligibility requirements, so be sure to review the guidelines carefully before applying.
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Coverage details
MinnesotaCare is a program for Minnesotans with low incomes who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. It is funded by state and federal tax dollars, provider taxes, and enrollee premiums. Enrollees pay a monthly premium based on family size, income, and the number of people covered. MinnesotaCare covers a variety of services like doctor visits, prescriptions, and hospital stays. Coverage may vary for children, pregnant women, and other adults. For instance, children under the age of 21 who meet a lower-income guideline pay a fixed premium of $4 a month.
MinnesotaCare is not an option for those who have other health insurance or can get insurance that is considered affordable and comprehensive through a job. To qualify for MinnesotaCare, applicants must meet eligibility guidelines, including income limits. For example, as of January 1, 2020, a family of four must not have exceeded an annual gross income limit of $51,500 to qualify. There is no asset limit for MinnesotaCare, and assets can include items like cars, checking and savings accounts, homes, and financial investments.
To apply for MinnesotaCare, you can visit MNsure.org or call 1.855.3MNsure (1.855.366.7873) for more information. You can also download the MNSure application for health coverage and submit it to Hennepin County. It takes 30-45 days to process the application, and coverage starts the first of the month after payment is received.
If you do not qualify for MinnesotaCare, you may still be eligible for other programs like Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota's Medicaid program for people with low incomes. MA does not require a monthly premium, but members may have small co-pays for some services, typically $1-$3. Some Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and assets may be eligible for premium and cost-sharing financial help.
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Contacting MNsure
MNsure is Minnesota's health insurance marketplace. It helps people find, choose, and enroll in comprehensive health coverage. It is the only place to get financial help to lower the cost of insurance.
To contact MNsure, you can call 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873. The website does not specify the hours during which these phone lines are open.
If you need health care coverage immediately and cannot apply at MNsure.org, you can download and complete a paper application from the Minnesota Department of Human Services website. You can submit this application to any of the three MNPrairie County Alliance locations.
You can also apply for MinnesotaCare in person, over the phone, or by virtual meeting with a certified assister. To find a certified assister, you can use the "Find an Assister" feature on the MNsure website.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for MinnesotaCare, you can call the Minnesota Department of Human Services at 1-800-333-2433.
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Frequently asked questions
MinnesotaCare is a health insurance program for Minnesotans with low incomes who cannot get affordable insurance through their employer and do not qualify for Medical Assistance. MinnesotaCare is funded by a state tax on hospitals and healthcare providers, enrollee premiums, and federal Basic Health Program funding.
You can apply for MinnesotaCare online at MNsure.org, by calling 1-855-366-7873, or by downloading and completing the MNsure paper application and submitting it to one of the three MNsure locations. It takes 30-45 days to process the application.
To be eligible for MinnesotaCare, you must be a Minnesota resident, meet income and asset guidelines, be a U.S. citizen or qualifying noncitizen, and not be currently insured or covered by other health insurance within the last four months. MinnesotaCare does not pay for past medical bills.










































