How to Apply for Medical Assistance in Minnesota

If you need help paying for medical care, you may be eligible for medical assistance (MA). MA is a government program that helps pay for medical care for low-income adults and children. You can apply for MA through your county or tribal human services office.

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Introduction

Medical assistance, also known as Medicaid, is a government program that helps low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities pay for health care In Minnesota, Medicaid is called Medical Assistance (MA). MA covers a wide range of health care services and is one of the largest programs in Minnesota.

To qualify for MA, you must meet certain income and asset limits. You may also be required to pay a monthly premium. Once you are enrolled in MA, you will be assigned to a managed care plan. A managed care plan is an organization that contracts with the state of Minnesota to provide health care services to MA enrollees.

What is Medical Assistance?

Medical Assistance (MA) is Minnesota’s Medicaid program. MA pays for health care services for some low-income residents of Minnesota. It is also known as MinnesotaCare in some counties. If you qualify, you can get help paying for:
-Doctor visits
-Hospital stays
–medical equipment and supplies
-Emergency medical services
–mental health services
-Substance abuse treatment
-Prenatal care and delivery
-Inpatient and outpatient hospital care

Who is eligible for Medical Assistance?

There are four main groups of people who are eligible for Medical assistance in Minnesota:
-Children
-Pregnant women
-Parents and caretakers of dependent children
-Adults aged 65 and over or adults with disabilities.

To see if you qualify for Medical Assistance, you can use the Minnesota Eligibility Screening Tool. This tool will ask you questions about your income, your family size, and your living situation. Based on your answers, it will tell you what kind of assistance you may be eligible for.

If you think you may be eligible for Medical Assistance, the next step is to fill out an application. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at your local county office. Once you have submitted your application, a representative from your county office will contact you to set up an interview.

During the interview, you will need to provide proof of your income and residency. After your interview is complete, your county office will determine whether or not you are eligible for assistance. If you are approved, they will send you a letter outlining the type and amount of assistance you are qualified for.

How to apply for Medical Assistance

In order to apply for Minnesota medical assistance, you will need to fill out an application and submit it to your county’s human services office.

You can find the application online at https://www.mnsure.org/#/APPLICATION or you can pick one up at your county’s human services office.

If you have any questions about how to fill out the application, you can contact your county’s human services office or call the MNsure Contact Center at 1-855-366-7873.

What are the income guidelines for Medical Assistance?

Medical Assistance in Minnesota is a needs-based program, which means that applicants must meet certain income guidelines to be eligible for coverage. These guidelines are based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which is an annual measure of income used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to determine financial eligibility for certain programs and services.

In Minnesota, the FPL is used to determine eligibility for Medical Assistance, as well as other programs such as food assistance (SNAP) and energy assistance (LIHEAP).

To be eligible for Medical Assistance in Minnesota, applicants must have an annual income that does not exceed 133% of the FPL. For a family of four, this would be an annual income of $33,534 or less.

It is important to note that these income guidelines are just one factor that is used to determine eligibility for Medical Assistance. Other factors include asset limits, citizenship status, and whether the applicant is eligible for other forms of coverage (such as Medicare or private health insurance).

How do I know if I am eligible for Medical Assistance?

You may be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) if you have low income and meet one of the following criteria:
-Are pregnant
-Have a disability
-Are65 or older
-Have blind or a low income and are disabled
-Have breast or cervical cancer
-Care for a child under 21
-Do not have Medicare

What are the assets guidelines for Medical Assistance?

There are two types of asset guidelines for Medical Assistance in Minnesota: the federal poverty level (FPL) and the medically needy income level (MNI).

Assets that are not counted towards the asset limit include:
-Your home
-One car
-Personal belongings
-Retirement accounts
-Certain types of trusts

For more information on asset guidelines and how they apply to your specific situation, please contact your local county or tribal human services office.

How often do I need to renew my Medical Assistance?

You will need to renew your Medical Assistance every 12 months. You will get a renewal notice in the mail about 2 months before your coverage will end.

What are the consequences of not renewing my Medical Assistance?

If you do not renew your Medical Assistance, you may lose your coverage. You may also have to pay a higher premium, or you may be ineligible for premium discounts.

What other resources are available for low-income individuals in Minnesota?

There are many resources available for low-income individuals in Minnesota. In addition to medical assistance, there are programs that can help with food, housing, child care, and more.

For more information on assistance programs in Minnesota, please visit: https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?idcService=SS_GET_PAGE&ssPageName=dhs_assistance_programs