Beginning January 1, 2017, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will provide MinnesotaCare coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) grantees who meet all MinnesotaCare eligibility requirements.
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:
were 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
were 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
Under the question that asks for immigration status, write code “O.” Also answer other questions in this section of the application relevant to your DACA status.
Before submitting the completed paper application, please write “DACA” at the top of the application cover.
Note: Do not apply online at MNsure.org. Online applications will not result in eligibility for MinnesotaCare.
The application can be submitted in any of the following three ways:
Mail the application to this address:
Minnesota Department of Human Services
PO Box 64839
St. Paul, MN 55164-0839
Fax the application to 651-431-7579.
Bring the application to your county or tribal human services agency or a certified assister, or to the Department of Human Services at 540 Cedar Street, St. Paul. The county or tribal agency or certified assister will forward the application to DHS for processing.
You may need to provide proof of your income or DACA status or other information so we can make sure you qualify for MinnesotaCare. If you need to send in proof, we will send you a letter asking for it.
To receive MinnesotaCare coverage beginning January 1, 2017, you must submit an application on or before January 31, 2017. If you apply after January 31, 2017, and are determined eligible, you will qualify for MinnesotaCare coverage beginning no earlier than the first day of the month after eligibility is approved.
No. DACA grantees will receive MinnesotaCare benefits through fee-for-service coverage. They will not receive benefits from managed care health plans for calendar year 2017. Fee-for-service is a method of payment in which the medical provider bills MHCP for specific, individual services. People with fee-for-service coverage must use a medical provider enrolled with MHCP, except in special circumstances. A directory of enrolled providers is available online.
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.
Premium billing and tracking for this population will not be in place by January 1, 2017. DHS will include premium information on each eligible DACA grantee’s initial approval notice. The notice will indicate whether the person is subject to a monthly premium and, if so, the amount of the premium. The notice will also include instructions to follow if the person does not want coverage. Initially, premiums will be billed retroactively.
