Minnesota Health Insurance

According to the Center for Disease Control, each year between 2001 and 2003, an average of 8.6% of Minnesota residents did not have Minnesota health insurance.

Minnesota Health Insurance Regulations

Under Minnesota health insurance law, any individual looking to obtain health or medical insurance through an employer cannot be denied coverage, nor can that coverage be limited. For individuals seeking Minnesota health insurance, however, companies can deny coverage to an individual or deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is one for which an individual was treated or diagnosed in the 6 month time period prior to the beginning of the new Minnesota health insurance plan. The new plan can deny coverage for the existing medical condition for a maximum of 12 months.

Minnesota health insurance law mandates that no health insurance company can have elimination riders on their health insurance plans. This means that no condition can be permanently excluded from health coverage under any Minnesota health insurance plan.

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Guaranteed Renewable Regulations

All Minnesota health insurance policies are guaranteed renewable which means that an individual has the right to renew any existing health insurance policy provided all premiums have been paid and no false information has been provided. Old policies can credit new ones for pre-existing conditions. There are limits as to what companies can charge for Minnesota health insurance but in general they are free to vary the premiums based on age, health, occupation or where the individual lives. They cannot, however, charge more based on gender.

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Newborn Regulations

If an individual’s Minnesota health insurance policy covers dependents, all newborns are covered from time of birth. Policies may have to be adjusted with new premiums, however. With some restrictions, disabled children are allowed to remain as dependents under an individual’s health insurance policy even if they have reached the age at which most dependents are no longer covered.

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Employment Regulations

If an individual is between employment or between Minnesota medical insurance plans, he or she may qualify for conversion coverage for that time. HMO’s that have operated in the state of Minnesota for at least two years are required to have an open enrollment period each year. Any individual is guaranteed access to individual Minnesota health insurance during this time.

Alternative Minnesota Health Insurance Options

For those unable to gain access or cannot afford Minnesota health insurance, there are state program available that may help:

• Minnesota Medicaid, General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC), and prescription drug program are available to anyone who qualifies and meets the eligibility requirements.
• Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) is the state’s high-risk pool for health insurance which allows individuals otherwise deemed “uninsurable” access to group medical insurance. Pre-existing conditions may apply.
• MinnesotaCare is designed to provide health insurance to children, families, and some adults who do not qualify for Medicaid but who also may not be able to afford Minnesota health insurance.

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101

General Information
651-296-4026
651-296-2860 (TTY)
651-297-1959 FAX

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For other Minnesota Insurance Resources, See:

• Minnesota Auto Insurance
• Minnesota Home Insurance
• Minnesota Health Insurance

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