Medical Assistance Programs
Get the care you need
The state of Minnesota offers two health care programs for people younger than 65 who need financial assistance to afford health insurance: Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare (MnCare).
You qualify for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare based on your income and family size.
For more details on income guidelines, visit MNsure.
Medical Assistance
Medical Assistance (MA), is Minnesota’s Medicaid program. This program is for people who have income that is less than 135% of the federal poverty level. The program pays for most of your covered healthcare costs for eligible people in your household.
Most people are responsible for small copays for covered office visits and prescriptions. Medical Assistance health plans like UCare waive the monthly Medicaid Assistance deductible (the amount you must pay before your plan kicks in) which saves you money.
Most people get their Medical Assistance benefits through a health plan like UCare.
UCare offers a Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP) plan to people eligible for Medical Assistance who live in our 41-county service area. See the map (PDF) for the counties in the service area.
To enroll in a UCare plan, you will need to apply for Medical Assistance first through MNsure. Then, when you qualify and receive your plan choice letter from the Department of Human Services, you can choose the UCare PMAP plan.
Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, LeSueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Ramsey, Redwood, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Scott, Sibley, Swift, Todd, Wadena, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
MinnesotaCare
You qualify for MinnesotaCare based on your income and family size.
Most MinnesotaCare members receive their coverage from a health plan like UCare. People 21 and older who are not pregnant will pay a monthly premium and copays for covered health care benefits. Premiums are $0 to $80 depending on your income.
Examples of 2022 MinnesotaCare copay amounts include:
- $7 for generic prescription drugs ($25 for brand)
- $75 copay for ER visit
- $25 copay for an office visit that is not for preventive care
- $250 for inpatient hospital stay
- $25 copay for eyeglasses
UCare offers MinnesotaCare coverage to eligible people who live in our 55-county service area. See the map (PDF) for the counties in the service area.
To enroll in a UCare plan, you will need to apply for MinnesotaCare first through MNsure. Then, when you qualify and receive your plan choice letter from the Department of Human Services, you can choose UCare’s MinnesotaCare plan.
Anoka, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Hennepin, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, LeSueur, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Martin, Meeker, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Pope, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Scott, Sibley, Steele, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, Yellow Medicine
Application and enrollment resources
This stuff is complicated. Get the details on applying and enrolling for individuals before you head over to MNsure.
More about UCare Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare plans
In addition to the healthcare services covered by Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, UCare plans offer additional incentives and service to help you take charge of your health.
- Up to $20 back on your monthly fitness club fees for adults age 18 and older if you attend 12 or more times per month* (Children age 17 and younger can get a fitness or wellness kit)
- No-cost transportation to medical, dental and pharmacy appointments through UCare Health Ride
- Access to the UCare Dental Connection, which provides assistance with scheduling dental appointments and coordinating dental services
- No-cost e-Visits or virtual visits through virtuwell
- No-cost car seats for eligible women who are pregnant and children up to age 8
- A large network of health care providers
- Earn rewards for completing certain preventive screenings, tests or exams
- Disease management programs for members with chronic conditions
- No-cost quit smoking and vaping program
- Save up to $50 a week at participating grocery stores with Healthy Savings. Shop and save when you buy select healthy foods including milk, whole-grain bread, lean meat, eggs, yogurt, fruits, vegetables and more
- Up to $15 off most community education classes (limits may apply)
- Access to our other great health and wellness programs and tools
*At participating fitness clubs
Minnesota Health Care Programs
Minnesota also offers health care assistance programs for:
