Medical Assistance (Medicaid) & MinnesotaCare
Last updated August 2026
Medical Assistance, or MA, is Minnesota's Medicaid. Expansion adults qualify with income up to 133 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, and a 5 percent income disregard pushes the effective limit to about 138 percent. Apply through the MNsure marketplace or through DHS and your county, and the DHS help line is 1-800-657-3672.
Two features make MA friendlier than people expect. Expansion adults have no asset limit at all, so savings or a car do not disqualify you. And eligibility uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income, the same tax-based method the marketplace uses, so the math follows your tax picture.
If your income is a little too high for MA, there is a next tier. MinnesotaCare covers people with income above 133 percent and up to 200 percent of poverty, and it is open to both families with children and adults without children in that band. It is the sliding step just above Medical Assistance.
The order matters: MA is always checked first. If you qualify for Medical Assistance, you cannot enroll in MinnesotaCare instead, so one application sorts you into the right program. You do not choose between them.
To apply you must be a Minnesota resident. Have your income information ready, and watch your mail and account for any request for more details. A pregnancy or a lost job is always a reason to apply or reapply, whatever the last answer was.
While an application processes, community health centers see patients regardless of coverage; dial 2-1-1 to find one. And the same low income often qualifies the household for SNAP through MNbenefits.mn.gov.
Phone 1-800-657-3672
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Minnesota residents who meet the income rules for their group; coverage reaches low-income adults as well as children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities
- MinnesotaCare is for people whose income is above the Medical Assistance limit but still modest, and it charges a low monthly premium for most members
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply through MNsure, or through DHS and your county; the help line is 1-800-657-3672.
- 2
Have your income information ready; expansion adults have no asset limit.
- 3
Let the state check MA first, then MinnesotaCare if your income is above the MA line.
- 4
Watch your mail and account for requests for more information, and renew on time.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and Social Security numbers for those applying
- Proof of income
- Proof of Minnesota residency.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who qualifies for Medical Assistance?
Expansion adults with income up to about 138 percent of poverty (133 percent plus a 5 percent disregard), with no asset limit. Children, pregnant people, and others qualify under their own rules.
What is MinnesotaCare?
The coverage tier just above MA, for income above 133 percent and up to 200 percent of poverty, open to families and childless adults alike.
Do I choose between MA and MinnesotaCare?
No. MA is checked first. If you qualify for Medical Assistance, you cannot enroll in MinnesotaCare instead.
Is there an asset test?
Not for expansion adults. Minnesota's MAGI-based Medical Assistance has no asset limit for that group.
How do I apply?
Through the MNsure marketplace or through DHS and your county. For help, call 1-800-657-3672.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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