MinnesotaCare applications now open to Minnesotans regardless of immigration status

Applications for MinnesotaCare, a health care program for Minnesotans with low incomes, are now open to all residents, regardless of citizenship or immigration status, as long as they meet other eligibility criteria.

People living in Minnesota can qualify for MinnesotaCare if they have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, irrespective of immigration status, according to the Department of Human Services.

Prior to the change, eligibility requirements included being a U.S. citizen or being lawfully present in the U.S. Now, people who are undocumented who previously had not been eligible for that coverage are eligible.

Coverage for people who are undocumented is funded through the state, said John Connolly, assistant commissioner for health care at the Department of Human Services.

“What this does is it creates a separate state-only funded program for people who would qualify, but for immigration status,” Connolly said.

According to DHS, MinnesotaCare coverage for people who are undocumented will be delivered on a fee-for-service basis and all MinnesotaCare enrollees have the same benefits, regardless of their U.S. citizenship or immigration status. Enrollees who are U.S. citizens or are considered lawfully present noncitizens continue to qualify for federal Basic Health Program funding.

“Everybody deserves access to health care, and we want to do it in a way that is sensible,” Connolly said. “If people are seeking care without coverage, providers are put in a difficult position. You know, they want to provide appropriate service and care and support people in their communities, that is why they are health care providers, and this allows them to do that,” he said. 

As of May of this year, there were about 100,000 enrollees in MinnesotaCare, according to DHS. The department estimates the cost for the MinnesotaCare expansion to range from $40-60 million per year. 

While applications for MinnesotaCare are now open, coverage doesn’t go into effect until Jan. 1.

Connolly said the department is encouraging people to seek the advice of immigration attorneys before they apply for the program.

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