CCHF Analyses of Legislation • Apr 2001 • Government Programs • Provider Tax

MinnesotaCare is a Welfare Program

This state subsidized program is:

  • 100% Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for child enrollees
  • Limited subsidized welfare for adult enrollees

 

Facts about MinnesotaCare:

  • Coverage for inhospital expenses are limited to $10,000 for adults with higher incomes. There is no catastrophic insurance coverage for these adults.
  • Adults risk transfer into Medical Assistance.
  • MinnesotaCare expands Medical Assistance beyond the poor
    • Special federal permission allows federal taxes to partially fund all MNCare children and pregnant women at 54%.
    • Eligibility extends to 275% of federal poverty guidelines
    • Those who exceed income eligibility limits while enrolled in MNCare may remain on MNCare if they pay full premium
  • MNCare provider tax funds other state health care projects.
    • Of the 1995 MNCare tax ($134 million), only $56.2 million (42%) went to patient care. The general fund, State departments, administration, and health care reform efforts got the rest.

Income Levels at 275% Poverty Guidelines*

Family Size

Annual Income

Monthly Income

Numbers above 275% **
1
2
3
4
5
Each additional person
$22,968
$30,948
$38,916
$46,896
$54,864
$7,980
$1,914
$2,579
$3,243
$3,908
$4,572
$665

Total Individuals: 1067

Total Adult or Families with Children Cases: 420
 
* 2000 Income Standards - Effective 4/1/00
** October 1996 numbers using 1996 Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) figures