Eligibility

• To be eligible for the MA program, Minnesota residents must have children under the age of 21 residing with them, be over the age of 65 and/or have a recognized disability. Additionally, although income requirements vary widely based on an individual's situation, individuals and families must have incomes below the state's predetermined income guidelines, which are generally below $4,000 for families with children and below $2,000 for individuals over 65 or those with disabilities.
  
  

Types

• The state of Minnesota offers two types of MA coverage -- total health care, which provides health coverage at no cost, and fee-for-service plans, in which health facilities charge patients a small fee for services and bill the state for the remainder of the cost. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, more than two-thirds of MA recipients receive free health coverage, while the remaining are enrolled in the fee-for-service plan. Those without children and those with higher incomes will often end up on the fee-for-service plan.
  
  

Application Process

• To apply for Minnesota MA benefits, individuals must visit their counties' government offices and fill out official application forms. Additionally, an individual must present proof of citizenship (birth certificate or passport), proof of income, a list of assets and proof of private health insurance (if any). Additionally, if an applicant is pregnant, she must provide a doctor's form proving her pregnancy.
  
  

Decision

• After turning in an application, a case worker from the Minnesota Department of Human Services will review the application and decide whether or not to issue MA coverage to the applicant. An applicant will receive a notice in the mail stating the agency's decision, regardless if the application is approved or denied. If approved, the notice will state whether or not the applicant will have to pay any fees for MA coverage. If denied, the notice will provide instructions for appealing the decision.