Health care coverage
For people who are noncitizens
This page provides basic eligibility information about Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare for Minnesota residents who are not U.S. citizens. It does not cover all program rules.
Learn how to applyQualified noncitizens
You may be considered a qualified noncitizen and have access to programs if you have one of the following statuses.
- Lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
- Refugee or asylee
- Person granted withholding of deportation or removal
- Cuban or Haitian entrant
- Victim of trafficking (with T visa)
- Certain people from Afghanistan or Ukraine with humanitarian parole
- Certain battered spouses, children or parents under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Undocumented noncitizens
If you do not fall into one of the statuses above, you would be considered an undocumented noncitizen and likely are not eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, unless you meet one of the following exceptions:
Medical Assistance exceptions
The following undocumented noncitizens are eligible for Medical Assistance.
- Pregnant people who meet eligibility rules can get Medical Assistance regardless of their immigration status, including 12 months after giving birth.
- Some people may qualify for Emergency Medical Assistance for emergency coverage.
MinnesotaCare exceptions
Undocumented noncitizens are not eligible for MinnesotaCare except for:
- Children under 18 may qualify for MinnesotaCare regardless of immigration status if they meet income and other eligibility rules. A child is considered age 18 starting the month after their 18th birthday.
- Coverage for undocumented children is provided on a fee-for-service basis.
Report and changes in pregnancy or immigration status to your county or Tribal Nation right away.
Immigration information sharing
If you have concerns about how we share information that may affect your immigration status, talk with an -immigration attorney. Free or low-cost help is available:Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: 877-969-6529
https://mylegalaid.org/Southern Minnesota Regional Services: 877-696-6529
https://www.smrls.org/American Immigration Lawyers Association: Find an immigration lawyer tool
https://ailalawyer.com/If you need Emergency Medical Assistance
Immigration status does not matter for people who need Emergency Medical Assistance. Emergency Medical Assistance covers emergency medical conditions for people who do not qualify for the Medical Assistance program due to immigration status. Emergency Medical Assistance covers hospital and emergency department care for a medical emergency. It may include doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health care and other needed services related to the emergency medical condition with approval from the medical reviewer. Your doctor will need to provide documentation about your emergency medical condition to get coverage after hospitalization.
Health care for people who need Emergency Medical AssistanceIf you are pregnant
Immigration status does not matter for people who are pregnant and do not meet the immigration status requirements for the Medical Assistance program. If a pregnant person qualifies, Medical Assistance helps pay for health care expenses like preventative care, prescription drugs and other health services, not just services related to pregnancy.
Health care for people who are pregnantIf you have kids under 18
Immigration status does not matter for kids under age 18 applying for MinnesotaCare. MinnesotaCare offers free or lower cost health insurance to people without other health insurance options who live in Minnesota.
MinnesotaCareCan I get health care coverage if I do not have immigration status?
There is health care coverage available to Minnesota residents who do not have immigration status and who meet other program requirements.
How much does coverage cost?
You may have to pay a monthly premium if you are eligible for MinnesotaCare. The amount, if any, depends on your income and family size. Adults also may have copays for some services. Children and pregnant people do not pay premiums or copays
Premiums and copaysWhen can my coverage start?
Depending on which program you qualify for, your coverage may start:
- The first day of the month that we get your application
- Going back up to three months before the month we get your application
- The month after you are approved and pay your first premium, if you have one
What is the income limit for health care programs?
Different programs have different income limits, and income limits can be different for adults and children. The income limit and whose income is counted depend on your age, family size, pregnancy or disability status and whether you have a sponsor.
Learn more about income limitsWhat is the asset limit?
You may or may not have an asset limit. Assets are things you own like cars, bank accounts, and financial investments.
To qualify for Medical Assistance, some people must not own assets worth more than a certain dollar amount. The home you live in and a car are usually not counted toward the asset limit.
- People age 65 and older, people who have a disability and people who are blind have an asset limit.
- Children, pregnant people and most adults under 65 do not have an asset limit.
There is no asset limit for MinnesotaCare.
Learn more about asset limitsCan I qualify if I have other health insurance?
You may still qualify. You must tell us if you have other health insurance or could get coverage through an employer or military service. Sometimes we can pay the cost of the other insurance so you can keep that coverage.
Learn how other insurance could impact eligibilityDo you count my sponsors' income and assets?
It depends on the program.
If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and had a financial sponsor who signed an I-864 Affidavit of Support form when you applied for LPR status, we may need to count that sponsor’s income and assets for Medical Assistance. If the sponsor is married, we may also need to count the spouse's income and assets.
Sponsor’s income and assets do not count for Medical Assistance for pregnant people or children under age 21, Emergency Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.
Learn about the I-864 Affidavit of Support formWhat if I do not qualify for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare or Emergency Medical Assistance and still need coverage?
Some people who do not qualify for Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare or Emergency Medical Assistance may qualify for an advanced premium tax credit through Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, MNsure.
A tax credit helps pay part or all of the health care premium for a health plan on MNsure. Even if you do not qualify for a tax credit, you can compare options and buy affordable insurance. You cannot be denied coverage even if you have a pre-existing condition.
MNsureMore help
Find a health center
You can receive health care from Minnesota Health Centers regardless of your ability to pay.
Find a health centerContact a navigator
Contact a certified navigator to help understand eligibility for undocumented noncitizens.
Find a navigatorCall the Refugee and Immigration Helpline
Call the Refugee and Immigration Helpline at: 800-814-4806 for local resources.
Call the Helpline