Medical Assistance

What's covered?

Medical Assistance may pay for medical bills going back three months from the date we get your application.

  • The specific program or benefit set that you qualify for determines:
    • Which health care services are covered
    • If there are any limits on coverage
    • What you have to pay, if anything
  • If you are enrolled in a health plan, you must get services from providers in your health plan's network.
  • If you are not enrolled in a health plan, you get services on a fee-for-service basis from providers who accept Medical Assistance.
  • You can also print a Summary of Coverage, Cost Sharing and Limits (PDF) that includes both Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.
  • There are no deductibles or copays for members on Medical Assistance.
Learn about fee-for-service coverage Summary of Coverage, Cost Sharing and Limits (PDF)

Summary of services covered by Medical Assistance

This list does not include all services that are covered. Members can get many of these services via telehealth. Telehealth means getting health care services from home using your phone or computer.

Learn about telehealth services

You may need to fill out a form before Medical Assistance can pay for some long-term care services including nursing homes. Contact your county or Tribal office or worker for more information.

For details about covered services:

  • Call your health plan's member services or refer to your health plan evidence of coverage.
  • Call Health Care Consumer Support if you are not in a health plan, or refer to the MHCP evidence of coverage for fee-for-service members.
Find your local county or Tribal office Find your health plan's member services Health Care Consumer Support MHCP evidence of coverage for fee-for-service members

What services are covered?

Some services or prescriptions may require prior approval.

  • Alcohol and drug treatment
  • Chiropractic care
  • Dental care
  • Doctor and clinic visits
  • Emergency room (ER) care
  • Eyeglasses
  • Family planning services
  • Hearing aids
  • Home care
  • Hospice care
  • Hospital services (inpatient and outpatient)
  • Immunizations and vaccines
  • Interpreter services
  • Lab and X-ray services
  • Licensed birth center services
  • Medical equipment and supplies
  • Medical transportation (access, ambulance and special)
  • Mental health care
  • Nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities ICF-DD
  • Outpatient surgery
  • Prescriptions and medication therapy management
  • Rehabilitative therapy
  • Telehealth services
  • Urgent care

What services are NOT covered?

  • Artificial ways to become pregnant, including in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs
  • Autopsy
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Dental services deemed to be cosmetic or not medically necessary
  • Gender-reassignment surgery
  • Investigational or experimental medications or devices
  • Medical cannabis
  • Medications used for weight loss or erectile dysfunction
  • Missed appointments
  • Vocational or educational services

Will I have to pay back the cost of the MA services I receive?

Possibly. In some cases, the cost of MA services may be recovered by estate recovery or a lien.

Estate recovery is when the government asks to be paid back for certain Medical Assistance (MA) health care services after a person dies. It usually applies to people who received long-term care services when they were 55 or older or who lived permanently in a medical facility. The money is usually taken from the person’s estate, which is the property or belongings they leave behind. Sometimes the government may place a lien on a home or land to make sure the money can be repaid later. Children do not have to use their own money to pay back the costs.

Learn more about estate recovery and liens