Fee-for-service coverage for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
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.
Contact Information
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.
If you have questions about applying for or renewing your MA, you may need to call your county or Tribe. Their contact information can be found here: county information and Tribal information
Getting Started
- Look for your member ID card in the mail.
- Find a health care provider.
- Find a ride to your health care appointment.
- Request an interpreter.
- Maintain your MA and MinnesotaCare eligibility.
Understanding Your Costs
- MA members do not have any copays.
- Some MinnesotaCare members have copays.
- Some people may be eligible for MA with a "spend-down" which is like a deductible. Members are responsible for the health care expenses that are part of the spenddown.
- Some MA members have other insurance (e.g. Medicare or from an employer).
- Health care providers can bill you for certain services.
Getting Health Care
- Primary Care, urgent care, and emergency room care: Getting care in the right place for your condition.
- Finding a family doctor who gets to know you year after year.
- Getting approval for a health care service that is not always covered.
- Getting a second opinion.
Covered Services
The following services may be covered by fee-for-service MA and MinnesotaCare. Consult with your provider to determine if the service is medically necessary.
- Acupuncture
- Audiology services
- Autism services for children
- Birth control
- Chemical dependency
- Child and Teen Checkups
- Chiropractic
- Cochlear implants
- Day support services
- Dental services
- Dermatology
- Dialysis for End Stage Renal Disease
- Disability services
- Doctor visits
- EIDBI
- Eyeglasses and eye exams
- Family planning
- Hearing aids
- Home care services
- Hospice
- Hospital inpatient (with an overnight stay)
- Hospital outpatient (with no overnight stay)
- Housing stabilization
- Immunizations and vaccinations
- Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Labs and diagnostic tests
- Medical equipment and supplies (DME)
- Medication
- Mental and behavioral health
- Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT)
- Optical (eyeglasses)
- Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS)
- Pharmacy
- Physician services
- Pregnancy
- Rehabilitation services (PT, OT, SLP)
- Therapy (e.g. mental health)
- School assistance
- Substance use disorders
- Surgery
- Transplants
- Transportation to appointments
- Waiver services
Additional Resources
- If you have experienced discrimination, you can report it.
- If you were denied a health care service, you can appeal it.
- Know your rights and responsibilities.
- Learn about protection and privacy of your health care information.
- Get information on other organizations for your health and wellbeing.