Minnesota Medicaid

Last verified: June 2026

What is Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid program?

Medical Assistance — known as MA — is Minnesota's Medicaid program for people with low income. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers MA. The program covers children and families, pregnant women, adults without children, seniors, and people who are blind or have a disability. As of 2025, approximately 1.2 million Minnesotans are enrolled in Medical Assistance, making it the state's largest publicly funded health program.

Minnesota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. That expansion opened Medical Assistance to adults ages 19 through 64 with household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. People who earn between 138% and 200% FPL may qualify for MinnesotaCare — a separate state program with monthly premiums — rather than Medical Assistance.

Most MA members receive care through a health plan. Plans serving Medical Assistance members vary by county but include UCare, Blue Plus, Hennepin Health, Medica, and PrimeWest Health, among others. Members who do not have a health plan receive care on a fee-for-service basis, with providers billing DHS directly.

Medical Assistance vs. MinnesotaCare: what's the difference?

These are two different programs. Medical Assistance is Minnesota's Medicaid program — fully federally matched, no monthly premium for most members, and available to those at or below 138% FPL. MinnesotaCare is a state-funded program for people who earn too much for MA but not enough to afford marketplace insurance, covering those between 138% and 200% FPL with income-scaled monthly premiums.

A single application through MNsure or your county office determines which program you qualify for — you do not need to apply to each separately. DHS uses the same income information to route applicants to the right program.

Per MN DHS, coverage under Medical Assistance can go back three months from the month DHS receives your application. This retroactive coverage matters if you had medical bills before your MA was approved.

Who qualifies for Medical Assistance?

Eligibility depends on your age, family size, income, and whether you have a disability. The following groups are generally covered under MA:

• Adults ages 19–64 with income at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion group)
• Children under age 19 — income limits vary by age group, with higher limits for younger children
• Pregnant women — higher income limit applies during pregnancy
• Parents and caretaker relatives living with a dependent child
• Seniors age 65 and older who meet income and asset limits
• People who are blind or have a disability, subject to separate income and asset rules
• Former foster care youth up to age 26 — no income limit applies

Per MN DHS, most bases of eligibility — including adults without children, parents, children, and pregnant women — have no asset test. Savings, a car, and home equity are not counted for MAGI-based MA. Seniors and people age 21 or older who are blind or disabled are subject to separate asset limits. See the MN DHS Income and Asset Guidelines (form DHS-3461A) for the full limits by household size.

Spenddown: qualifying even if you're over the income limit

Some people whose income exceeds the MA limit may still qualify using a spenddown. Minnesota's spenddown works like an insurance deductible: you are responsible for a portion of your medical bills, and MA covers costs once your income, after deducting those bills, falls to or below the income limit. Not every eligibility group can use a spenddown — ask your county or tribal office whether it applies to your situation.

Estate recovery in Minnesota

Minnesota may seek reimbursement from the estate of a Medical Assistance member who received MA on or after age 55, or from a member who received certain long-term care services at any age. The state may also file a lien on a home if a member lives in a nursing facility and is not expected to return. Consult an elder law attorney if you are planning for long-term care and are concerned about estate recovery.

Minnesota Medicaid topics

What does Medical Assistance (Minnesota Medicaid) cover?

Medicaid covers a broad range of health services. Federal law mandates certain benefits — inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, lab work, X-rays, and nursing facility services, among others. States add optional services on top of those. Dental, vision, and long-term home care coverage vary by state.

The national benefits overview lists required and commonly optional services. Check the Medical Assistance (Minnesota Medicaid) website for the current state-specific benefit package.

How to apply

Most people can apply online through Minnesota's Medicaid portal, by phone, or in person at a local eligibility office. The how to apply page walks through each method, what documents you'll need, and what to expect during the review period.

Under 42 CFR 435.912, states must process most standard Medicaid applications within 45 days (90 days for disability-based applications). Minnesota must follow that federal timeline.