This information is for people enrolled in Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare who get medical services through fee-for-service coverage (county workers may use the term “straight MA”). This means that you will not be enrolled in a health plan.
You need to see medical providers that are enrolled with the state and the state pays providers for each service they provide. Continue reading to see who to call for help, how to find a provider, and learn what services are covered.
Fee-for-service member handbook (PDF)What’s new in benefits and coverage
2025 Annual Benefits and Eligibility Notice for MHCP Members (DHS-6525L) (PDF)
January 2026 changes:
- Home births are now covered for members when their doctor identifies them as low-risk for problems in pregnancy and delivery.
- Swim lessons are now covered for Medical Assistance members with a disability, who are under age 12 and receive Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) or Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) waivers.
- Members that are 21 years old and older can’t get chiropractic care.
- Physical therapy is limited to 14 visits per year and occupational therapy is limited to 24 visits per year. Health care providers can request an authorization for more visits.
Quick links
Medical Assistance (PDF): Learn about basic coverage available to fee-for-service MA members
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573-ENGMinnesotaCare (PDF): Learn about how to find a healthcare provider, what services you can get and how much they cost.
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573c-ENGDental Services (PDF): Learn about the basic dental services Medical Assistance covers.
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573B-ENGNon-Emergency Medical Transportation (PDF): Learn how Medical Assistance enrollees can use non-emergency medical transportation
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573A-ENGChild and Teen Checkups (PDF): Learn how to get your children the healthcare they need
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573D-ENGAbortion Services (PDF): Learn about Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage for abortions and abortion-related services
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8573E-ENGTelehealth (PDF): Learn how you can receive health care using your phone or computer (Available in Hmong, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese)
tcm:1052-718997Contact info
Have a question or need to update your information and don’t know who to call? Use this quick reference guide to learn who to call for assistance with your question, or to update your information: Page 10
If you have questions about applying for or renewing your Medical Assistance, you may need to call your county or Tribe.
Find your local county or Tribal officeGetting started
Opens to page 13 in most browsers. If it opens to the first page, use the PDF page box or search for “Getting started”.
Getting started in the Minnesota Health Care Programs fee-for-service member handbook, PDF page 13Look for your member ID card in the mail: Page 13 or search PDF for "Member ID"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=13Find a health care provider: Page 13 or search PDF for "Health care provider"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=13Find a ride to your health care appointment: Page 13 or search PDF for "Plan a ride"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=13Request an interpreter: Page 14 or search PDF for "Request an interpreter."
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=14Maintain your Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare eligibility: Page 14 or search PDF for "Maintain your eligibility."
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=14Look for your member ID card in the mail: Page 13 or search PDF for "Member ID"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=13Understanding your costs
Opens to page 16 in most browsers. If it opens to the first page, use the PDF page box or search for “Understanding your costs”.
Understanding your costs in the Minnesota Health Care Programs fee-for-service member handbook, PDF page 16Medical Assistance members do not have any copays: Page 16 or search PDF for "Understanding your costs"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=16Some MinnesotaCare members have copays: Page 16 or search PDF for "Understanding your costs"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=16Some people may be eligible for Medical Assistance with a "spenddown" which is like a deductible. Members are responsible for the health care expenses that are part of the spenddown: Page 16 or search PDF for "Spenddown"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=16Health care providers can bill you for certain services: Page 18 or search PDF for "Health care providers bill you"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=18Finding Medicaid payment rates: Not part of member handbook
tcm:1052-757719Getting health care
Opens to page 19 in most browsers. If it opens to the first page, use the PDF page box or search for “Levels of care”.
Levels of care in the Minnesota Health Care Programs fee-for-service member handbook, PDF page 19Primary Care, urgent care, and emergency room care: Getting care in the right place for your condition: Page 19 or search PDF for "Levels of care"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=19Finding a family doctor who gets to know you year after year: Page 19 or search PDF for "Member ID"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=19Getting approval for a health care service that is not always covered: Page 20 or search PDF for "Approvals for services"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=20Getting a second opinion: Page 21 or search PDF for "Second opinions"
https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-8646-ENG#page=21Covered services
The following services may be covered by fee-for-service Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare. Consult with your provider to determine if the service is medically necessary.
Acupuncture: Page 23 or search for "Acupuncture"
Audiology services: Page 24 or search for "Audiology services"
Autism services for children: Page 25 or search for "Autism services for children"
Birth control: Page 37 or search for "Birth control"
Chemical dependency: Page 68 or search for "Substance use disorder"
Child and Teen Checkups: Page 27 or search for "Child and Teen Checkups"
Chiropractic: Page 29 or search for "Chiropractic"
Cochlear implants: Page 30 or search for "Cochlear implants"
Day support services: Page 31 or search for "Day support services"
Dental services: Page 33 or search for "Dental services"
Dermatology: Page 35 or search for "Dermatology"
Dialysis for End Stage Renal Disease: Page 36 or search for "Dialysis for End Stage Renal Disease"
Disability services: Page 85 or search for "Disability services"
Doctor visits: Page 62 or search for "Doctor visits"
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI): Page 25 or search for "Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI)"
Eyeglasses and eye exams: Page 55 or search for "Optical services"
Family planning: Page 37 or search for "Family planning"
Hearing aids: Page 24 or search for "Hearing aids"
Home care services: Page 39 or search for "Home care services"
Hospice: Page 41 or search for "Hospice"
Hospital inpatient (with an overnight stay): Page 42 or search for "Hospital inpatient"
Hospital outpatient (with no overnight stay): Page 44 or search for "Hospital outpatient"
Immunizations and vaccinations: Page 46 or search for "Immunizations and vaccinations"
Individualized Education Program (IEP): Page 47 or search for "Individualized Education Program (IEP)"
Labs and diagnostic tests: Page 49 or search for "Labs and diagnostic tests"
Medical equipment and supplies (DME): Page 50 or search for "Medical equipment and supplies (DME)"
Medication: Page 59 or search for "Medication"
Mental and behavioral health: Page 52 or search for "Mental and behavioral health"
Nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT): Page 53 or search for "Nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT)"
Optical (eyeglasses): Page 55 or search for "Optical services"
Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS): Page 57 or search for "Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)"
Pharmacy: Page 59 or search for "Pharmacy"
Physician services: Page 62 or search for "Physician services"
Pregnancy: Page 65 or search for "Pregnancy"
Rehabilitation services (PT, OT, SLP): Page 67 or search for "Rehabilitation services (PT, OT, SLP)"
Therapy (e.g. mental health): Page 52 or search for "Therapy (e.g. mental health)"
Substance use disorders: Page 68 or search for "Substance use disorders"
Surgery: Page 72 or search for "Surgery"
Transplants: Page 73 or search for "Transplants"
Transportation to appointments: Page 53 or search for "Nonemergency medical transportation"
Waiver services: Page 74 or search for "Waiver programs"