Minnesotans have several options for health insurance coverage, ranging from managed care and "fee for service" providers to Medicare and special programs from those needing financial assistance.
If you do not receive health care insurance coverage through your employer, the following are among your options in Minnesota:

Managed Care

Managed care includes Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Community Integrated Service Networks, Staff Models, Network Health Plans, Independent Practice Associations and Preferred Provider Organizations. (Click here for more information on these types of health insurance).

Health insurance brokers can show you a variety of available options based on your needs. You can find them in the yellow pages under "Health Care Plans." You can also contact HMOs directly:

Government Supported

MinnesotaCare
MinnesotaCare is a subsidized health care program for people who live in Minnesota and do not have access to health insurance. There are no health condition barriers, but applicants must meet income and program guidelines to qualify. Call MinnesotaCare at 1-800-657-3672 (toll-free) or 651-297-3862 (Twin Cities metro) or write to MinnesotaCare, P.O. Box 64838, St. Paul, MN 55164-0838.

Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)
MCHA is for Minnesota residents who have been turned down for individual health insurance or have a pre-existing medical condition. Although established by the legislature in 1976, MCHA is not a government agency. Call 1-800-531-6674 or 651-456-5290, or write to MCHA at P.O. Box 64566, St. Paul, MN 55164

General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC)
GAMC pays for medical care for some 27,000 low-income Minnesotans who don't qualify for Medicaid or other state or federal health care programs — primarily low-income adults between the ages of 21 and 64, who don’t have dependent children.

Medical Assistance (MA) (Medicaid) Program
MA is a joint federal/state-funded program that provides necessary medical services for low-income families, children, pregnant women and Minnesotans who are elderly (65 or older) or have disabilities.

Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP)
Under this program, the Minnesota Department of Human Services contracts with and makes capitated payments to HMOs or Community Integrated Service Networks to deliver health care to eligible MA and GAMC recipients. Click here for PMAP Communications Form.

Medicare
If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement or disability benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you turn 65. For more information on federal Medicare benefits, including Medicare Part D, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Fee for Service

Fee for Service health insurance, or "traditional" health insurance, is the system under which doctors are compensated based on the amount of care they offer. Check the yellow pages under "insurance" for more information.