Medical Assistance (MA): Minnesota’s name for the federal Medicaid program that provides medical care for low-income persons.

MA is one of the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP). Within federal rules, each state decides the types of health care services the MA program will cover. State and federal dollars jointly fund MA. Counties administer MA.

There are several different ways a person could access health care coverage through MA.

The local county human services agency determines MA eligibility. MA eligibility is dependent upon a number of factors.

Basis of eligibility

Each applicant must meet a basis of eligibility for MA. The basis of eligibility is a federally established set of characteristics such as age, income, disability or family status. Minnesota MA provides health care coverage for the following eligible groups:

Disability determination

A person must meet the disability definition from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to be eligible for MA as a disabled person. A person may also be certified disabled by the SSA or State Medical Review Team (SMRT). See disability determinations for more information.

Deeming

To deem means to count the income or assets of one person when determining the eligibility of another. For example, a:

If a person has a waiver of deeming, family income and assets are not included when eligibility is determined for the person. The income and assets of the applicant determine eligibility and not the income and assets of the household. For example, in Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) cases, the child's income determines eligibility, not the parents.

Other health care coverage

People may have other health care coverage in addition to MA.

However, MA is generally the payer of last resort. Therefore, vendors must bill the other health care provider prior to billing MA.

The local county human services agency must renew MA eligibility on an annual basis.

Certain prevailing community standards or customary practices are required in order for MA to cover a health service. See Covered Service Requirements for MA for more information.

See page 2 of Minnesota Health Care Programs, DHS-3860 (PDF) for an overview of MA covered services.