Minnesota offers three public health care programs:
MinnesotaCare
Medical Assistance
General Assistance Medical Care
General Assistance Medical Care - Hospital Only
Under these programs, children and families are covered for:
- Doctor visits
- Baby check-ups and baby immunizations
- Pre-natal care
- Yearly check-ups for school-aged children
- Dental care
- Prescription drugs
- Vision and hearing tests
- Specialty services for children with disabilities or chronic health conditions
- Hospital care
Minnesota's public health care programs contract with a variety of health insurance plans (such as Medica, Health Partners, Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc.) and participants can select their preferred insurance plan and a health care provider who participates in that plan. The availability of health plans varies in each county.
MinnesotaCare
MinnesotaCare is a reduced-cost health coverage program primarily for families who do not have access to employer-subsidized insurance (ESI) and cannot afford private insurance. The program is administered by the state through the Department of Human Services. MinnesotaCare enrollees pay a low-cost monthly premium, which is calculated based on income, family size and number of family members enrolled in the program.
For more information, we offer additional notes in our Health Care Directory section of this site or see the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ web site on MinnesotaCare
Medical Assistance
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.
For more information, we offer additional notes in our Health Care Directory section of this site or the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ web site on MA.
General Assistance Medical Care
GAMC is a free health coverage program for very low-income people who do not qualify for other public health care programs. GAMC is county-administered and eligibility is based on income, household size, residency, and inability to qualify for other programs.
For more information, we offer additional notes in our Health Care Directory section of this site or the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ web site on GAMC.
General Assistance Medical Care - Hospital Only
GHO is a new program created to cover adults without children whose income is between 75% and 175% of the federal poverty level ($562 to $1143 per month). GHO provides coverage for inpatient hospital care only and eligible patients must apply for the program at the time of the hospitalization.
For more information, we offer additional notes in our Health Care Directory section of this site or the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ web site on GAMC.
Download a printable pdf version of this page
Review our Low-Cost Health Care Directory
To download a health care application or for more information about these programs, visit the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ web site.
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