Where this sits: Benefits › Programs › MinnesotaCare. Related: Medical Assistance.
Ask first
Household size and yearly income; age (premiums apply from 21); whether the person has Medicare or is offered any employer plan; citizenship or immigration status.
What it is
Low-cost health coverage for people with low incomes who can't get Medical Assistance and have no other insurance. DHS runs it as a federal "basic health program"; about 103,000 people were enrolled in March 2025. Coverage is based on MA's services: pregnant enrollees get all of them, back to conception; others get most. Most enrollees 21 and older pay a monthly premium on a sliding scale and some cost-sharing. No premium for people under 21, people under 35% of the poverty guidelines, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and certain military families; American Indians and Alaska Natives also have no cost-sharing.
Who qualifies
- Income at or under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and not eligible for MA. In practice, usually above 133% (MA's limit for adults), with some exceptions. For exact dollar limits, use the current DHS income guidelines (DHS-3461A); the figures in the House Research summary don't match each other.
- No affordable employer coverage (for 2026, employee cost no more than 9.96% of income for employee and dependent coverage, and a plan paying at least 60% of costs) and no Medicare or other minimum coverage.
- Minnesota residence.
- Immigration status: citizens and nationals, lawfully present noncitizens, DACA grantees, and children under 18 who are not lawfully present. Adults 18 and older who are not lawfully present are not eligible.
How to apply
Apply online at MNsure or on paper form DHS-6696 sent to the county or Tribal agency. The application checks MA first, then MinnesotaCare, then tax credits; people eligible for MinnesotaCare can't get the tax credits. Paper applications are also available by phone from MNsure (1-855-366-7873) or DHS (1-800-657-3672), or at county human services offices.
How it fits with other programs
MA comes first: anyone eligible for MA gets MA, not MinnesotaCare. Above 200%, people can buy a private plan through MNsure, with premium tax credits if eligible.
Recent and upcoming changes
- 2026-01-01: undocumented adults 18 and older are no longer eligible; undocumented children under 18 still are.
- 2026 premiums were expected to be higher than in 2021-2025.
- 2026-10-01: lawfully present adults 21 and older who lost Medical Assistance because of their immigration status were moved to, or invited to apply for, MinnesotaCare. See immigration status and benefits.
- 2027, federal tax credits: federal premium tax credits will go only to lawfully present noncitizens who are permanent residents, Cuban or Haitian entrants, or COFA citizens. Whether this changes who can get MinnesotaCare is not known to this site; tell people to ask MNsure.
Not covered here
The MinnesotaCare income method and household rules, the premium schedule, employer coverage tests in detail, and renewals.