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Minnesota Health Insurance

Health insurance is vital for the physical wellness of your family. Although, buying appropriate health insurance coverage for your family can be expensive, you must consider all future risks and its influence on your overall finances. Nevertheless, more than 47 million Americans are uninsured, majority of whom are the working families. The ever-increasing healthcare costs and the lack of proper health coverage render these families, especially children, vulnerable to the awaiting financial disasters. However, for those families who are not covered by their employers’ health group plan, there are low-priced state sponsored health insurance programs.

As the 4th healthiest state, Minnesota is a great place to live in and obtain health care services according to United Health Foundation’s 2008 Health Rankings. Although, the state lost its 1st spot in 2006 and 2nd spot in 2007, Minnesota is still going strong in the top five healthy states list. Minnesota, having the population of more than five million people, offers both private-market and public health insurance alternatives. The private-market health insurance consists of various types of health plans including family, Medicare supplemental, short-term, student, group and dental. Additionally, the state and federal government sponsored programs provide subsidized health coverage to the uninsurable residents of Minnesota who meet specific eligibility requirements.

The Insurance Division of Minnesota Department of Commerce protects the insurance consumers against unfair practices by regulating all kinds of insurance sold through private-market health insurers as well as public health coverage programs. However, nearly 8.8% of the residents remain uninsured as the Minnesota lawmaker attempt to increase the public health funding and lower the percentage of children in poverty. Approximately, 33.8% uninsured Minnesota citizens come under the above 200% FPL bracket, according to the Censor Bureau’s 2007 and 2008 Current Population Survey.

Health insurance is a crucial component that you cannot afford to live without. When shopping for health coverage, make sure to get in touch with a licensed health insurance agent/broker to avail the suitable health insurance alternatives.

Individual/Family Health Insurance

Below is the guidelines for applying for and obtaining individual health insurance in the state of Minnesota. These regulations apply to all insurance companies offering individual or family health insurance in Minnesota:

Medical Underwriting

Yes

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Period

18 months

Look Back Period

6 months

Look Back Standard

Objective

Mandatory Benefits

Cancer screening for women including screening of breast, ovarian and cervical cancer, reconstructive surgery after mastectomy, direct access to OB/GYNs, eating disorder parity, maternity care

Market Rate Restrictions

Yes

Guaranteed Issue Options

None

Small Group Health Insurance

Below is the guidelines for small group health insurance in the state of Minnesota. These regulations apply to all insurance companies offering small group health insurance in Minnesota:

Small Group Size

2-50

Employee Qualifications

Owner can count as an employee, proprietor-name on license must draw wages

Guaranteed Issue

Yes

Premium Rating Factors

Rate Bands

Rate Adjustment Factors

25%

Look-Back Period

6 months

Pre-existing condition exclusionary period

12 months

Mandatory Benefits

Same as individual

State Cobra Variations for Small Groups

Below are the COBRA guidelines for small groups in the state of Minnesota. For employer groups of more than 20 employees, refer to the federal COBRA guidelines:

Mini-Cobra Option

Yes

Eligible Group Sizes

2-19

Extension of Benefits Period - Standard

18 months

Extension of Benefits Period - Disabled

18 months

Maximum Premium Increase

102%

State Legislation Reference

Minnesota Continuation Laws

Additional Notes

Premiums may not exceed 102% of group rate

State Sponsored Health Insurance Programs

There are several state sponsored health insurance programs in the State of Minnesota to assist those without insurance in obtaining adequate coverage.

High-Risk Pools

Some states offer special state sponsored health insurance plans for qualified persons that are not eligible for individual health insurance due to pre-existing medical conditions. The guidelines for enrollment in these programs vary by state. The high-risk pool in the State of Minnesota is summarized in the chart below:

Plan Name

Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)

Website

http://www.mchamn.com/

Phone Number

866-894-8053

HIPPA Eligibility Required?

Yes

Available Carriers

Pre-Existing Condition Waiting Period

6 months

Enrollment Periods

Currently Open to New Enrollment

Premium Limits

Between 101% - 125% of standard rates

Lifetime Maximum Benefit

$5 million

Special Notes

To be eligible for the health coverage:

  • Individuals must have exhausted COBRA benefits.
  • Individuals must be working for employers who do not offer health insurance.
  • Individuals must have exceeded lifetime maximum limits, or their previous coverage.
  • Former employees of bankrupt companies.

Children’s Health Insurance Program

Through shared funding from the federal government, the State of Minnesota provides health insurance for uninsured children that meet certain eligibility guidelines. A summary of this program is outlined in the chart below:

Program Name

MinnesotaCare

Website

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us

Phone Number

800-657-3672, 651-297-3862

Apply Online

Yes

Age Limits

Under 21

Insurance Carrier

Medica, BlueCross/BlueShield or HealthPartners

Length of Coverage

12 months

Residency Requirements

Minnesota resident and U.S. citizen, non-citizen legal immigrant

Other Eligibility Requirements

  • Children should not have other health insurance now or have had health insurance (including Medicare), for at least four months except for Medical Assistance enrollees whose health insurance premium was paid for by Medical Assistance.
  • Children should not be able to get health insurance through an employer who offers to pay at least half the monthly cost.

Pre-Existing Condition Exclusions

None

Cost

Monthly premium of $4 or more for children

Medicaid

Medicaid is a state program partially funded through the federal government. Qualification guidelines, as well as the types of people that are eligible, will vary by state. The chart below provides a summary of the Medicaid programs in the State of Minnesota:

Governing Agency

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Website

http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/

Phone Number

800-657-3739

Residency Requirements

Minnesota resident and U.S. citizen, legal non-citizen

Federal Poverty Line Income Limits

Infants (ages 0-2): 280% FPL
Pregnant Women: 275% FPL
Children (ages 2-18): 150% FPL
Elderly, blind and people with disabilities, Parents (and adults ages 19 and 20): 100% FPL
SSI Recipients: 70% FPL
Medically Needy Individual: 67% FPL, Couple-62%
Disabled are allowed to “spend down” for eligibility

Additional Resources

Minnesota Health Care Options Matrix™ Guide

Provided by the Foundation for Health Coverage Education, the guide is a quick reference guide prepared by the non-profit Foundation for Health Coverage Education that outlines Minnesota’s public and private health care choices for individuals and groups with various demographic profiles.

Family Health Insurance Guide by HealthInsuranceFinders.com

The guide created by HealthInsuranceFinders.com provides useful information regarding health insurance coverage such as individual/family health insurance, group health insurance, separate child health insurance and state-sponsored programs that are available for low to middle income families.

Minnesota: At-A-Glance

Provides exclusive health data of the Minnesota state. Statehealthfacts.org, a project of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, is designed to provide free, up-to-date, and easy-to-use health data on all 50 states.


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