Health care coverage

People who are DACA grantees

To be eligible for MinnesotaCare, a DACA grantee must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a resident of Minnesota
  • Have income within the program income limits
  • Cannot already have access to certain types of health insurance
  • Meet other program requirements
Learn how to apply

More about the program

Will eligible DACA grantees need to pay a premium for coverage?

Yes. The standard MinnesotaCare premium requirements apply.

  • Children younger than 21 do not have to pay a premium.
  • Premiums range from $4 to $80 per month, depending on income.

Will the MinnesotaCare coverage that eligible DACA grantees receive be provided through a health plan?

No. DACA grantees will receive MinnesotaCare benefits through fee-for-service coverage.

  • Fee-for-service means that the medical provider bills the state directly for specific, individual services.
  • People with fee-for-service coverage must use a medical provider enrolled with Minnesota Health Care Programs, except in special circumstances.
  • A directory of enrolled providers is available online.
Find a provider Learn about fee-for-service coverage

What is DACA?

On June 15, 2012, the secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) announced that certain noncitizens who came to the United States as children and meet several criteria may receive deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion by the USDHS to defer removal action against a person for a certain period of time.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grantees have met the following criteria:

  • Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012
  • Came to the United States before reaching their sixteenth birthday
  • Continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007
  • Physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of consideration of deferred action
  • Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012
  • Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States
  • Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or multiple misdemeanor offenses, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety