Apply for health care

What happens after I submit my application?

Within three weeks of submitting your application online, via mail or in person, you should receive one or more of the following:

  • A Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) ID card. This means you have health care coverage.
  • A health plan enrollment letter or a health plan selection packet with information about selecting a plan. This means you have health care coverage. You will receive this only if you are required to enroll in a health plan.
  • A letter titled Health Care Notice:
    • The letter may say you are approved for Medical Assistance (MA) or MinnesotaCare. This means you have been determined eligible for the program. It may also say you need to give us more information. The letter will tell you what we need and when we need it. If we do not have the information by the date shown in the letter, your eligibility will end, and your coverage will be closed. If you are approved for MinnesotaCare, you must also pay your premium to get coverage.
    • The letter may say you are pending for MA or MinnesotaCare. When you get this, it means your eligibility has not yet been decided. The letter will tell you what we need to decide if you are eligible, and when we need it. If we do not have the information by that date, your application will be denied. When we get the information the letter asks for, we will complete your eligibility determination.

Note: Household members could be eligible for different programs. If one or more household member is determined eligible for tax credits or a qualified health plan, call MNsure for more information.

Contacts

If you do not receive either an ID card or a letter within three weeks of submitting your application, call one of the help lines below. Do not submit another application.

Online applications

For Medical Assistance: MHCP Member Help Desk

  • Phone: 651-297-3862 or 800-657-3672
  • TTY: Use your preferred relay service
  • For those who speak little or no English, we provide free interpreter services

For MinnesotaCare

  • Phone: 651-297-3862 or 800-657-3672
  • TTY: Use your preferred relay service

Paper applications

Contact your local service agency [link to directory]

Online applications

When you apply online, you will see an initial eligibility result after you submit your application. It may be helpful to print this page. The initial result may not be the final result, but it lets you know if you appear to be eligible for a health care program. You may need to submit more information before your eligibility result is final.

Paper applications

If you filled out your paper application correctly and we have all the information we need, your application is complete. Watch your mail.

If your application is missing information

If your application is missing information that we need to approve your health care coverage, we will let you know. You will get one of the following within three weeks of when you mail or fax your application or give it to us in person:

  • A phone call asking for the information we need.
  • A letter titled "Health Care Notice" or "Request for Information" asking for more information.
    • This usually means your enrollment is incomplete and your eligibility is still pending.
    • When we get the information from you, we will complete your eligibility determination.
    • The letter will tell you what we need and when we need it. If we do not have the information by the date shown in the letter, we will deny or close your application and you will need to reapply.

Questions about missing information

If you have questions about the information we ask for, call the office listed on the notice or the MHCP Member Help Desk.