St. Louis County MN Medical Assistance Programs

Looking for information on medical assistance programs in St. Louis County, MN? Check out this blog for the latest news and updates on medical assistance programs in the area.

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What is Medical Assistance?

Medical Assistance (MA), also known as Medicaid, is a public health insurance program that helps pay for medical and long-term care services for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. In Minnesota, MA is administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).

There are two main types of MA programs:
-Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD)
-Minnesota Care

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

There are many different types of Medical Assistance programs available in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It is important to know if you are eligible for each type of program before you apply, because some programs may have different income requirements or asset limits.

To be eligible for most Medical Assistance programs in Minnesota, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, and you must meet certain income and asset limits. You may also be required to be a resident of Minnesota.

Some Medical Assistance programs have additional eligibility requirements, such as being pregnant, being a parent or caretaker relative of a minor child, having certain disabilities, or being over the age of 65.

If you are not sure if you are eligible for a particular program, you can contact your county or tribal Social Services office for more information.

What are the income guidelines for Medical Assistance?

Income limits for Medical Assistance are different than for other public assistance programs like Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Support (SNAP). It is important to know which program you are applying for and what the requirements are.

To be eligible for Medical Assistance, your household income must be at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). The FPG changes every year, so the exact income limit changes too.

For example, in 2019 a family of four could have an income of $33,475 per year or less to qualify for Medical Assistance.

If you have questions about whether you qualify for Medical Assistance, contact your county or tribal human services office.

How do I apply for Medical Assistance?

In order to apply for Medical Assistance, you will need to complete an application and submit it to your local county office. Please note that each county has different eligibility requirements, so be sure to check with your local office before applying.

How do I renew my Medical Assistance coverage?

If you are a recipient of Medical Assistance (MA), you will need to renew your coverage every year. The renewal process begins with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) sending you a notice telling you that it is time to renew your coverage. This notice will be sent to the address DHS has on file for you approximately 60 days before your coverage is set to expire.

In order to renew your coverage, you will need to fill out and return the renewal form that is included with the notice. You can also renew your coverage by completing the renewal process online.

Once DHS has received your renewal form or completed online application, they will send you a Notice of Decision that will either approve or deny your request for continued MA coverage.

What are the covered services under Medical Assistance?

All covered services must be medically necessary for the treatment of an illness or injury.

Covered services under Medical Assistance include, but are not limited to:
-Hospitalization
-Outpatient hospital or clinic services
-Doctor visits
-X-rays and laboratory tests
-Prescription drugs
-Inpatient and outpatient mental health services
-Inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment
-Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
-Family planning services and supplies
-Most medical equipment and supplies

What are the copayments for Medical Assistance?

In Minnesota, Medical Assistance (MA) is a public health insurance program for low-income adults and children. MA provides health care coverage to eligible individuals and families with limited income and resources.

There are four levels of MA coverage, each with different copayment amounts:

Standard Coverage: No copayments for most services. A $3 copayment for non-preventive office visits and a $0.50 copayment for generic drugs may apply.

Enhanced Coverage: No copayments for most services. A $1 copayment for non-preventive office visits may apply. There is no copayment for generic drugs.

Alternative Care Coverage: No copayments for most services, except a $3 copayment for non-preventive office visits may apply. There is no copayment for generic drugs.

Specialized Care Coverage: No copayments for most services, except a $5 copayment per day toward the cost of inpatient hospital stays may apply. There is no copayment for generic drugs.

How can I get help paying my Medical Assistance premiums?

If you are a Minnesota resident, you may be eligible for help paying your medical assistance premiums through the state’s Premium Security Plan. Residents of St. Louis County who are eligible for Medical Assistance and have an annual income at or below 275 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for premium assistance.

To apply for premium assistance, you will need to complete and submit a Premium Security Plan application form. You can get this form from your county’s human services office, or by calling the Minnesota Department of Human Services at 1-800-657-3739.

What is the difference between Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare?

Medical Assistance (MA) is a public health insurance program in Minnesota for low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elders and people with disabilities. MA is also known as MinnesotaCare in some counties.

MinnesotaCare is a public health insurance program for low- and moderate-income working adults and their families who do not have access to affordable health insurance through their job.

Where can I get more information about Medical Assistance?

The best place to start is by contacting your local County or Tribal Human Services office. A staff person there can provide you with more information about the program and help you determine if you are eligible.