Health care coverage
For people who are noncitizens
This page provides basic eligibility information about Minnesota Health Care Programs for Minnesota residents who are not U.S. citizens. It does not cover all program rules.
Refer to the Immigration Status and Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility chart for a quick reference guide to program eligibility for applicants and enrollees who are noncitizens.
If you are applying for health care coverage, you may have to provide proof of your immigration status if you have one.
You do not have to tell us about your immigration status or give us proof if you are:
- Applying for your children or other family members but not yourself. We may need proof of status for the people who are applying.
- Only helping someone else apply.
Minnesota Health Care Programs eligibility
Medical Assistance
Medical Assistance (MA) is a health care program for Minnesotans with low incomes. For noncitizens, MA eligibility depends on age and immigration status, in addition to other factors like income.
- Lawfully present noncitizen children under age 21 are eligible for MA if all other eligibility factors are met.
- Some adults age 21 and older who are not pregnant may qualify for MA depending on their immigration status. See the Immigration Status and Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility chart for more details.
- Immigration status does not matter for people who are pregnant and do not meet the immigration status requirements for the Medical Assistance (MA) program.
MinnesotaCare
MinnesotaCare is a program for people who do not qualify for MA. MinnesotaCare offers free or lower cost health insurance to people without other health insurance options who live in Minnesota. For noncitizens, MinnesotaCare eligibility depends on the person’s age and immigration status, in addition to other factors like income and access or enrollment in other health insurance.
- Lawfully present noncitizens are eligible for MinnesotaCare, regardless of age, if all other eligibility factors are met.
- For children under age 18 applying for MinnesotaCare, immigration status does not matter.
Emergency Medical Assistance
Immigration status does not matter for people who need Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA). EMA covers emergency medical conditions for people who do not qualify for the MA program due to immigration status.
Learn about Emergency Medical AssistanceRefugee Medical Assistance
People with Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) statuses, including refugee and asylee, who are not eligible for MA, may qualify for Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA). This is available for the first eight months after they obtain their status. RMA covers the same comprehensive health care benefits as MA.
Noncitizens may also call the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline at 800-814-4806 to talk to someone in your language about what’s available, such as connecting to a refugee health screening or help navigating the health care system.
Learn how to applyRefugee and Immigrant HelplineWorried about sharing information?
If you have concerns about how sharing information with the government will affect your immigration status, speak with an immigration attorney for advice about your specific situation. Two members of Minnesota’s Immigration Legal Services Hub Initiative offer free or low-cost immigration legal services and public benefit legal assistance. You can also use the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s “Find an Immigration Lawyer” look-up tool.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid: 877-969-6529
https://mylegalaid.org/Southern Minnesota Regional Services: 877-696-6529
https://www.smrls.org/Find an immigration lawyer
https://ailalawyer.com/Minnesota’s Immigration Legal Services Hub Initiative
https://www.lawhelpmn.org/minnesotas-immigration-legal-services-hub-initiativeIf you are pregnant
Immigration status does not matter for people who are pregnant and do not meet the immigration status requirements for the Medical Assistance program. If a pregnant person qualifies, Medical Assistance helps pay for health care expenses like preventative care, prescription drugs and other health services, not just services related to pregnancy.
Health care for people who are pregnantFrequently asked questions
Do you count my sponsors' income and assets?
It depends on the program.
If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and had a financial sponsor who signed an I-864 Affidavit of Support form when you applied for LPR status, we may need to count that sponsor’s income and assets for Medical Assistance. If the sponsor is married, we may also need to count the spouse's income and assets.
Sponsor’s income and assets do not count for Medical Assistance for pregnant people or children under age 21, Emergency Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.
Learn about the I-864 Affidavit of Support formI do not have a valid immigration status. What programs do I qualify for?
If you meet all other eligibility criteria, including being a Minnesota resident, you may qualify for MinnesotaCare if you a child under age 18, MA if you are pregnant, or EMA if you have a medical emergency.
More information for undocumented peopleI am a DACA grantee. What programs do I qualify for?
If you meet all other eligibility criteria, including being a Minnesota resident, you may qualify for MinnesotaCare, MA if you are pregnant, or EMA if you have a medical emergency.
More help
Find a health center
You can receive health care from Minnesota Health Centers regardless of your ability to pay.
Find a health centerContact a navigator
Contact a certified navigator to help understand eligibility for undocumented noncitizens.
Find a navigator