Information subject to change.
What is Medical Assistance (MA)?
Medical Assistance is a free government funded health care coverage program administered by counties through the Department of Human Services. 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. MA insures each individual within the family and eligibility guidelines differ for each family member.
Who is eligible for MA?
Children under 21, adults with children, pregnant women, and disabled persons are eligible for MA. Children under age 2 are eligible up to 280% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG), children between the ages of 2-18 are eligible up to 150% of the FPG, pregnant women are eligible up to 275% of the FPG, and parents (adults with children) are eligible up to 100% of the FPG. In addition to meeting income eligibility, applicants to MA must also be residents of Minnesota and be U.S. citizens or have acceptable immigration status (pregnant women are exempt from this rule).
Are adults eligible for MA?
Parents, relative caregivers and other adults with children in their households may be eligible for MA providing they meet the eligibility requirements as previously stated. Adults without children in their households are not eligible for MA.
Are there asset limitations for MA?
Yes. Families with one adult in the household can only have assets totaling $10,000. Families with two adults in the household can have assets totaling $20,000. (Homes and cars used to get to and from work are exempt.)
What services does MA cover?
Coverage includes routine check ups, immunizations, prenatal care and delivery, hospital and doctor care, prescriptions, glasses, dental work and routine dental exams, medical equipment, costs for medical transportation to and from medical appointments, chemical dependency treatment, mental health services and much more. There are no monthly premium payments for MA, but parents covered under MA are required to pay some co-payments for services such as dental, prescriptions, emergency room visits and so on. There are no co-pays for children.
What if I have past medical bills?
MA will pay for up to three months worth of past medical bills if income and program eligibility requirements are met.
How often do I need to reapply for MA?
MA recipients reapply for the program every six months or (for those who requested payments of past medical bills) six months from the date of the first medical bill paid by MA. Changes in household composition or income must be reported as they occur. A pregnant woman can remain on MA until 60 days after the birth of her baby without having to reapply or report changes in household composition or income. A pregnant woman must report the birth of her baby to MA as soon as possible to insure the baby's health care coverage up to age one.
To download a health care application or for more information about this program, click here.
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