Thousands of undocumented Minnesotans can now apply for a state health care program for low-income residents that opened its applications last week.
The Minnesota Legislature passed the MinnesotaCare Immigrant Inclusion Act in 2023, which got rid of the immigration status requirement to access the state-funded program in an effort to extend health care coverage to undocumented residents statewide. MinnesotaCare was previously only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
The act’s implementation comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in January and deliver on his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
Coverage for undocumented applicants begins on January 1, 2025.
What is MinnesotaCare?
MinnesotaCare, a health care program for low-income residents established in 1992, provides free or low-cost health insurance to residents who make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but still face financial limitations. The program currently covers 83,000 Minnesotans, according to the state.
State Representative Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, said inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted lawmakers to take a look at health care access. Despite a federal law that requires hospitals to administer emergency care to undocumented residents, Latino Minnesotans were dying of COVID-19 at twice the age-adjusted rate of their white counterparts even though their admittance into intensive care units was nearly four times higher, according to a fact sheet from the Minnesota Senate.
Liebling, chair of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee, said lawmakers wanted to do more for the approximately 81,000 undocumented people who live in Minnesota.
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“I think the pandemic showed us that the health of everybody is intertwined, so if I’m sick and can’t get the care I need to be healthy, it impacts other people,” Liebling said. “It’s imperative that we have a healthy population, which includes people who have lived in Minnesota, often for a very long time, who have relatives, family members and community members who are undocumented.”
Liebling said hospitals that care for people who are uninsured are stuck bearing the cost. The expansion of MinnesotaCare allows hospitals to receive payment for their services, which keeps hospital systems, especially smaller and more rural facilities, in business, Liebling said.
“It’s important both for the health of individuals and communities, but it’s also important for the stability of our medical system,” she said.
How do I know if I qualify for MinnesotaCare?
Applicants must live in Minnesota, meet income limits and lack health insurance options. If an applicant’s employer offers health insurance, they might still qualify for MinnesotaCare if they can’t afford their employer’s health insurance.
Check eligibility requirements on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website here: https://mn.gov/dhs/minnesotacare/am-i-eligible/.
What services does MinnesotaCare cover?
MinnesotaCare covers a wide range of routine and preventative care such as eye and dental exams, x-rays and other lab tests, regular physical exams, prescription costs, immunizations and pregnancy care, among many other services.
The program also helps enrollees pay for specialty care like surgeries, rehabilitation and gender-affirming care, in addition to ambulance services and visits to the emergency room.
How can I apply?
The application is open year round, and there is no cap on how many people can enroll, said John Connolly, assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Health Care Administration.
The application is available on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website here: https://mn.gov/dhs/minnesotacare/apply-now/. There is no deadline; applications are accepted anytime of the year.
Undocumented residents who want coverage to begin on January 1, 2025, should apply as soon as possible so there’s enough time to process their paperwork, Connolly said. Applicants typically receive an update within 45 days after submitting their paperwork.
If state officials can’t find an applicant’s income information in electronic sources, they’ll ask applicants to provide documentation that includes their most recently filed federal tax return, paystubs, a yearly income statement or a written statement from an employer.
Depending on an applicant’s annual income and number of people in their household, they may be required to pay a monthly premium to maintain coverage. An applicant with a household of four people and an annual income of up to $53,039, for example, will pay a $4 monthly premium per person through December 2025.
Enrolled participants who need to pay a premium are required to pay their first premium before coverage begins. New, undocumented enrollees who want their coverage to start on January 1, 2025, must pay their first premium by noon on December 31, 2024.
How could a second Trump term impact undocumented immigrants’ access to MinnesotaCare?
Concerns about the future of undocumented residents nationwide are on the rise as Trump vows to enact several immigration policies, from mass deportation to workplace raids.
Similar to questions around Minnesota’s Drivers Licenses for All legislation, state officials say they’re aware that undocumented residents may be worried about whether their MinnesotaCare enrollment information could be used by the federal government for deportations.
“I certainly understand, in the current atmosphere, if people are afraid to come forward and apply because they might be afraid of how their data might be used under a Trump administration,” Liebling said. “Here in Minnesota, we don’t intend to harm anyone. We are trying to help, and we believe that everybody deserves to have health insurance and that it makes our state stronger when everyone can get access to health care.”
Connolly said there will be no difference in MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented individuals compared to other state-funded health insurance programs. Health insurance cards sent in the mail will be the same for undocumented and documented residents, and the same health care providers will be available to all enrollees.
Applying for MinnesotaCare will not hurt an applicant’s immigration status or chances of becoming a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. However, the department recommends that undocumented applicants consult with a lawyer if they have concerns.
