Medical Assistance is Minnesota's Medicaid program. It is a health care program for Minnesotans with low incomes. It provides health care coverage to children and families, pregnant people, adults without children, seniors, and people who are blind or have a disability. Applicants must meet program rules to qualify.
- Most people who have Medical Assistance get health care through health plans.
- You can choose a health plan from those serving Medical Assistance members in your county.
- Members who do not get health care through a health plan get care on a fee-for-service basis.
- Fee-for-service means that your providers bill the state directly for services they provide.
Medical Assistance is different from Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program for people over 65 and for certain people with disabilities.
The information on these pages does not cover all program rules. To find out if you qualify, you must apply.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Minnesota resident
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualifying noncitizen
- Provide a Social Security number for each person requesting Medical Assistance, unless an exception is met
- Meet the income limit and asset limit, if any
- Meet any other program rules.
How do I apply?
The easiest way for most people to apply is online through MNsure. Some people will need to apply in a different way including seniors, people with disabilities and youth formerly in foster care. You can get free help applying for coverage.
Learn more about applyingHow much does coverage cost?
For some members, there is no cost. Others may have to pay a portion of the cost of a service. This may include a spenddown. Medical Assistance may pay for medical bills going back three months from the month we get your application.
SpenddownsWhat's covered?
Medical Assistance pays for a variety of services like doctor visits prescriptions, and hospital stays.
- Some services and prescriptions may require prior approval.
- For some members, there is no cost. Others may have to pay a portion of the cost of a service. This may include a spenddown.
- Medical Assistance may pay for medical bills going back three months from the month we get your application.
How do I find a doctor?
If you are not a health plan member, you can go to any doctor, dentist or other provider who accepts Medical Assistance fee-for-service coverage.
If you are a health plan member you must go to doctors, dentists and other providers who are in your health plan's network for most services.
Find a providerWhat's the income limit?
The income limit and calculations depend on your age and who lives with you. If you are pregnant, blind or have a disability, you also may have a different income limit.
Some people who do not meet the income limit still may qualify using a spenddown. A spenddown is like an insurance deductible. This means you are responsible for some medical bills before MA pays.
Income limits SpenddownsWhat's the asset limit?
Assets are items people own like cars, checking and savings accounts, your home and financial investments.
- Generally, there is no asset limit for Medical Assistance for parents, children under 21 and adults without children in the home.
- Parents and caretaker relatives eligible for Medical Assistance with a spenddown have an asset limit.
- Seniors and people age 21 and older who are blind or have a disability have an asset limit.
Assets that do not count toward the limit include the home where you live, household goods, personal items like clothing and jewelry and certain assets owned by an American Indian.
Asset limitsWhat if I have other insurance?
You still may qualify for Medical Assistance. You must tell us if you have other health insurance or could get coverage through an employer or military service.
Sometimes we can pay the cost of the other insurance so you can keep that coverage.
Learn how other insurance could impact eligibility[Learn about help to pay for your other insurance]
I need to renew my coverage
You are required to renew your Medical Assistance coverage annually. Sometimes we can renew your coverage automatically and you will be asked to make sure your information is correct. If we can't automatically renew your coverage, we will send a renewal form for you to complete, sign and return.
Learn more about renewing
I need to report a change
If you get MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance, you must report all changes for yourself and your family members within a certain number of days of the change happening.
Learn about reporting changes