Minnesota Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Medical Assistance — known as MA — is Minnesota's Medicaid program for people with low income. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers MA. The program covers children and families, pregnant women, adults without children, seniors, and people who are blind or have a disability. As of 2025, approximately 1.2 million Minnesotans are enrolled in Medical Assistance, making it the state's largest publicly funded health program.
Federal Medicaid changes are being tracked by Minnesota DHS in 2025 and 2026
H.R. 1 (signed July 4, 2025) introduced new federal Medicaid requirements. Per Minnesota DHS, changes to noncitizen adult eligibility take effect October 1, 2026, and work requirements plus six-month renewals for many adults begin January 1, 2027. Most current MA enrollees will not be directly affected, including people who are 65 or older, receive coverage based on a disability, are 20 or younger, are pregnant, or are American Indian or Alaska Native. Visit mn.gov/dhs/federalchanges for details on who is affected.
What is Medical Assistance, Minnesota's Medicaid program?
Minnesota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. That expansion opened Medical Assistance to adults ages 19 through 64 with household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level. People who earn between 138% and 200% FPL may qualify for MinnesotaCare — a separate state program with monthly premiums — rather than Medical Assistance.
Most MA members receive care through a health plan. Plans serving Medical Assistance members vary by county but include UCare, Blue Plus, Hennepin Health, Medica, and PrimeWest Health, among others. Members who do not have a health plan receive care on a fee-for-service basis, with providers billing DHS directly.
Medical Assistance vs. MinnesotaCare: what's the difference?
These are two different programs. Medical Assistance is Minnesota's Medicaid program — fully federally matched, no monthly premium for most members, and available to those at or below 138% FPL. MinnesotaCare is a state-funded program for people who earn too much for MA but not enough to afford marketplace insurance, covering those between 138% and 200% FPL with income-scaled monthly premiums.
A single application through MNsure or your county office determines which program you qualify for — you do not need to apply to each separately. DHS uses the same income information to route applicants to the right program.
Per MN DHS, coverage under Medical Assistance can go back three months from the month DHS receives your application. This retroactive coverage matters if you had medical bills before your MA was approved.
Who qualifies for Medical Assistance?
Eligibility depends on your age, family size, income, and whether you have a disability. The following groups are generally covered under MA:
- Adults ages 19–64 with income at or below 138% FPL (ACA expansion group)
- Children under age 19 — income limits vary by age group, with higher limits for younger children
- Pregnant women — higher income limit applies during pregnancy
- Parents and caretaker relatives living with a dependent child
- Seniors age 65 and older who meet income and asset limits
- People who are blind or have a disability, subject to separate income and asset rules
- Former foster care youth up to age 26 — no income limit applies
Per MN DHS, most bases of eligibility — including adults without children, parents, children, and pregnant women — have no asset test. Savings, a car, and home equity are not counted for MAGI-based MA. Seniors and people age 21 or older who are blind or disabled are subject to separate asset limits. See the MN DHS Income and Asset Guidelines (form DHS-3461A) for the full limits by household size.
Spenddown: qualifying even if you're over the income limit
Some people whose income exceeds the MA limit may still qualify using a spenddown. Minnesota's spenddown works like an insurance deductible: you are responsible for a portion of your medical bills, and MA covers costs once your income, after deducting those bills, falls to or below the income limit. Not every eligibility group can use a spenddown — ask your county or tribal office whether it applies to your situation.
Estate recovery in Minnesota
Minnesota may seek reimbursement from the estate of a Medical Assistance member who received MA on or after age 55, or from a member who received certain long-term care services at any age. The state may also file a lien on a home if a member lives in a nursing facility and is not expected to return. Consult an elder law attorney if you are planning for long-term care and are concerned about estate recovery.
Medical Assistance (Minnesota Medicaid)
Visit the official Minnesota Medicaid website Check your Medical Assistance (Minnesota Medicaid) eligibilityRelated guides
What Is Medicaid?
An overview of how the program works, who runs it, and who it covers.
Read more →Eligibility Requirements
The income, household, age, and state rules that determine who qualifies.
Read more →How to Apply
A step-by-step walkthrough of the application process and what you'll need.
Read more →