Medicaid is insurance designed to provide low-income families and certain individuals with health care. In Minnesota, the state and federally-funded Medicaid program is referred to as Medical Assistance. The health care program covers more than 500,000 people a month. A second jointly funded state and federal program is available in Minnesota. MinnesotaCare is for those who exceed the income requirements for Medical Assistance. You cannot earn more than 275 percent of the federal poverty level to qualify for MinnesotaCare.
Eligibility Groups
Medical Assistance in Minnesota is offered to pregnant women, families with children, low-income adults without children, individuals over 65 years of age and disabled or blind individuals. Basic heath care services are also offered to 19- and 20-year-old Minnesota residents. Services include routine physicals, illness or injury treatment, prescription medicines and hospitalization. Legal immigrants are also eligible, provided the proper documentation is submitted.
Income Restrictions
Income requirements must be met, based on your eligibility group and household size. For example in 2011, to receive Medical Assistance, an adult without children can earn no more than $677 a month. The MinnesotaCare limit is $2,257 a month. Pregnant women are classified as two individuals. The woman cannot exceed $3,340 a month for full coverage. If there is an additional household member, the income limit is raised to $4,198. Disabled or blind individuals are limited to $903 a month for Medical Assistance and $2,257 for MinnesotaCare.
Asset Limits
There are resource limits based on the eligibility group. There are no asset restrictions for pregnant women and children. Adults without children are limited to $1,000 in countable assets. People age 65 or older and disabled or blind may have $3,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a couple. To be eligible for MinnesotaCare, an individual is allowed $10,000 and households with two or more are allowed $20,000. Not all assets are counted. Your house, primary vehicle and personal possessions are exempt. Assets owned by children are also exempt.
Applying for Coverage
You can download an application for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare by visiting the Minnesota Department of Human Services website or your local office. Complete the application by supplying personal and financial information for all household members. You will need to submit documentation also. Birth certificates, Social Security cards, government-issued identification or immigration documents will be required. Prepare to provide proof of all income and assets, including recent pay stubs, bank statements and W-2 forms. Mail or submit the completed application and documents to the nearest county human services office.
