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Medical Assistance
During the COVID-19 pandemic, special rules were in place to help people keep Medical Assistance (MA) health care coverage. People did not have to renew their Medical Assistance. Now that the pandemic has ended, most people will be required renew their MA annually to keep their health care coverage.
Read on about Medical Assistance Renewal
Medical Assistance (MA) is a program administered by the county and funded by the federal and state government, which pays for medical care for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford it. Before applying for public assistance, you can find out what programs you might be eligible for by using the Bridge to Benefits screening tool. The tool is easy, confidential, and free.
- Medicare.gov - How to apply for Medicare benefits.
- MinnesotaHelp.info - Includes links to Senior and Disability linkage lines as well as other benefits available in Minnesota.
- Social Security Administration - How to apply for social security benefits.
If you are a recipient of Medical Assistance
You may be entitled to free or reimbursed transportation to and from medical appointments.
If you are not on a Managed Health Care Plan
At least three days before your appointment:
Contact MNET at 1-866-467-1724 to discuss your options.
If you are on a Managed Health Care Plan (Health Partners or UCARE)
Contact the customer service number on your medical ID card.
If you are approved for Medical Assistance
- You will be asked to pick a managed care plan unless you meet an exemption.
- Washington County offers the following managed care providers:
- Blue Plus;
- UCARE;
- Health Partners; and
- Medica (for elderly and disabled).
- Washington County offers the following managed care providers:
If you are enrolled in a Managed Care Plan and have any questions about your coverage
Contact the customer service number provided on the back of your health care card.
If you have questions about Managed Care
Leave a message on the Managed Care hotline at 651-430-6552.
There are many specialized health care programs in addition to regular Medical Assistance. Click on the following links to learn more.
Medicare Savings Programs
Helps pay all or some of your Medicare premiums.
- MA for Qualified Individuals DHS-2087I (PDF)
- MA for Service Limited Medicare Beneficiaries DHS-2087G (PDF)
- MA for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries DHS-2087E (PDF)
- MA for Qualified Working Disabled Individuals DHS-2087F (PDF)
- MA for Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities DHS-2087L (PDF)
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA)
A program for families with children who have a disability but the families’ income makes them ineligible for regular Medical Assistance. This program allows children who have high medical needs to use MA as a secondary insurance to help cover costs.
This program does not pay for services beyond what Medical Assistance would normally cover and with it families must pay a parental fee (PDF).
Waiver programs are designed to keep people in their homes or in the community rather than having to have them placed in a facility. They are for people who need a nursing level of care and serve as a supplement to Medical Assistance to cover additional needs.
There are several types of waivers:
- Community Alternative for Disabled Individuals (CADI) DHS-2826 (PDF)
- Community Alternative Care (CAC) DHS-2827 (PDF)
- Developmental Disability Waiver (DD) DHS-4849 (PDF)
- Brain Injury Waiver (BI) DHS-3442 (PDF)
- Elderly Waiver (EW) DHS-2908 (PDF)
People wishing to be placed on a waiver must first have an assessment in order to determine the level of care they may need.
This Medical Assistance program is for people living in a long term care facility who no longer have the funds to pay for the facility.
- The program requires completion of a special long term care application (PDF).
- If the applicant is married they will be required to also complete an asset assessment (PDF).
- An asset assessment needs to be completed once and it needs to be completed the first time one of the spouses used 30+ days of long term care services.
In order to be eligible for this program, the applicant must be currently living in a long term care facility and meet income and asset guidelines.
Contact Us
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To submit documents to your financial worker regarding economic assistance, upload documents to MNbenefits.
For questions about applying for benefits
Phone: 651-430-6459 (collect calls accepted)
Toll-free: 1-844-711-1907
Fax: 651-430-6605
Email Economic SupportInterpreter service is available
Locations
Cottage Grove
Forest Lake
Stillwater
WoodburyOffice Hours
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.