Medical Assistance (MA):
Medical Assistance is a government funded health care coverage program administered in Minnesota through local counties. For those who qualify, MA pays all or part of an individual's medical bills. Eligibility is based on income, family size, children's ages and whether children are blind or disabled. There are some asset limitations as well. MA insures each individual within the family and eligibility guidelines differ for each family member. For example, pregnant women and children under the age of two are eligible at much higher income levels than other groups (see page 10). In most cases, adults without children are not eligible for MA.
More information on MA is available on the Minnesota's Public Health Coverage page of this site or by calling your local county human services office (county listings are available via pull-down menu at the bottom of the page).
MinnesotaCare:
Administered through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), this program offers health care coverage to families up to 275% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG). However, in large families with incomes over $50,000 per year, only the children in the family are eligible for coverage up to 275% of the FPG. Adults without children are eligible up to 175% of the FPG for a limited benefits package. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and past insurance status. Eligible families pay a low-cost monthly premium that is based upon income.
For more information on MinnesotaCare, see the Minnesota's Public Health Coverage page of this site or call 651-297-3862 (metro area) or 1-800-657-3672 (toll free).
General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC):
This county administered health coverage program helps adult Minnesotans without children who don't qualify for other federal or state health care programs. Eligibility is based on income (must be under 75% of the federal poverty guidelines) and residency status. There are some asset limitations as well.
For more information on GAMC, see the Minnesota's Public Health Coverage page of this site or contact your local county
human services office (county listings are available via pull-down menu at the bottom of the page).
Immunizations:
Minnesota's Child Health Insurance Reform Program law (CHIRP) was passed in 1989 and requires all insurance companies and plans (including Medical Assistance and Minnesota-Care) to cover 100% of the cost of childhood immunizations and well child exams for all children up to six years of age with no deductible or copayment.
For more information, call the Immunization hotline at 612-676-5100.
Hill-Burton Program:
The Hill-Burton program offers help with hospital bills to individuals and families with low incomes. As participants in a federal hospital construction funding program, some hospitals and rehabilitation facilities in Minnesota are required to provide a certain amount of free or discounted hospital care each year to low-income people who have no other way to pay their hospital bills.
For additional information on Hill-Burton, call toll-free 1-800-638-0742.
Minnesota Children with Special Health Needs:
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) helps Minnesota families with children under 21 with special health needs, potentially handicapping conditions, or chronic illnesses pay medical bills on a sliding fee basis. MDH conducts low-cost clinics and works with local health care facilities to diagnose and treat these children. Minnesota adults and children with cystic fibrosis or hemophilia are also eligible to take part in this program.
To find out more about Services for Children with Special Health Needs,
write Administrative Secretary, Services for Children with Handicaps,
Minnesota Department of Health, 85 East 7th Place,
P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164
or call 651-215-8956.
TEFRA:
TEFRA helps families cover health care costs for their severely disabled children who might otherwise require institutional care. Children up to the age of 18 are covered under TEFRA, which is part of the Medical Assistance program administered through the counties. Eligibility is based on the child's level of disability, not the family's income or assets. To apply, complete the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application (HCAPP).
For additional information, contact your county human services office (county listings are available via pull-down menu at the bottom of the page).
Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children:
Shriners Hospital in the Twin Cities provides medical care to Minnesota children who have treatable orthopedic (skeletal) problems. Services are provided to those whose care elsewhere would create a financial burden on the family. Bone infections, limb length problems, bowed legs, arthritis, nerve injuries, curvature of the spine, and spinal cord injuries are just a few examples of the more than 60 conditions treated at Shriners Hospital, 2025 East River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55414.
For more information call 612-339-6711.
Migrant Health Services:
There are nine health centers and one mobile unit that offer low-cost health care during the summer months to immigrant workers in 30 counties in Minnesota.
For more information, write Migrant Health Services, Inc., Townsite Center, 810 4th Avenue South, Moorhead, MN 56560 or call toll free 1-800-842-8693 or 218-236-6502.
Public Health:
Free and low-cost services offered by public health departments vary from county to county. Services offered may include well child visits, immunizations, prenatal care, lead screening, public health nursing, well person visits, family planning, dental or mental health services.
For more information, call the public health department listed under your county in this directory (county listings are available via pull-down menu at the bottom of the page).
Native American Health Services and Clinics:
For Native Americans, the federal government operates two Indian Health Services hospitals, one in Red Lake and one in Cass Lake. There is an Indian Health Services clinic on the White Earth Indian Reservation. There are also some Indian Health Services providers that have sliding fee scales. The Indian Health Board of Minneapolis is a nonprofit organization that offers services on sliding fee scale. Contact the Board at 612-721-9800.
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