Medicaid in Minnesota Is Called Medical Assistance
In Minnesota, the Medicaid program goes by the name Medical Assistance, or MA. It sits under a wider umbrella called Minnesota Health Care Programs, which also includes MinnesotaCare, a separate low-cost program for people whose income is slightly too high for MA. State law for MA is found in Minnesota Statutes chapter 256B. The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) sets policy, signs contracts with health plans, pays claims and supervises the whole system.
Minnesota expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Adults between 19 and 64 can now qualify on household income alone, without being a parent or having a disability. Children, pregnant women, seniors, people with disabilities and people who need long-term care each follow their own rules and income standards. Because the categories differ, the office you deal with and the application you complete can differ too.
That is why a search for a Medicaid office in Minnesota can feel confusing. No single storefront handles everyone. Instead, the work is split between a state headquarters in St. Paul, 87 county human services agencies, tribal nation programs and the state's health insurance marketplace, MNsure. Knowing which door fits your situation saves weeks of back and forth.
How the State, Counties and Tribal Nations Share the Work in Minnesota
Minnesota runs a state-supervised, county-administered human services system. DHS writes the rules and oversees compliance. Counties take applications for many programs, decide eligibility for seniors and people with disabilities, and connect residents to long-term care services. Minnesota is also home to 11 tribal nations, and tribal members may be able to work with a tribal human services office instead of, or alongside, the county.
MNsure is the state's health insurance marketplace, and it is the usual front door for income-based coverage. If you are under 65, not on Medicare and not applying because of a disability, MNsure is often the simplest route. You can apply online, by phone or on paper. Free navigators and assisters can walk you through the form, which helps if English is not your first language or you lack a reliable internet connection.
Residents who are 65 or older, or who are applying because of blindness or disability, usually go through the county or the DHS online application. These are sometimes called non-MAGI cases. They can involve an asset test as well as an income test, so expect more questions about bank accounts, property and vehicles. Anyone who needs nursing home care or home and community-based services should also expect a county worker or health plan care coordinator to get involved.
A quick way to choose where to start:
- Adults and families applying on income: MNsure or your county human services office.
- Age 65 or older, or applying because of disability: your county human services office or the DHS online application.
- Tribal members: your tribal human services office or the county.
- Questions about a claim, a provider or a health plan: the member services number on your health plan card.
- Disagreement with a decision: the appeal instructions printed on your notice.
The Saint Paul Minnesota Medicaid Office on Lafayette Road
Our database lists one Medicaid office in Minnesota: the Saint Paul Minnesota Medicaid Office at 444 Lafayette Road in St. Paul, in Ramsey County. Its listed phone number is 651-431-2670. The Lafayette Road address is on the state government side of St. Paul, near the State Capitol, and it is associated with the state human services headquarters.
Treat this listing as a central state contact point rather than a neighborhood walk-in desk. Policy questions, provider enrollment and appeals are handled at the state level. A typical application, renewal or change of address is usually handled by your county. Before you drive in, call the listed number and ask three things: whether in-person visits are available, which hours apply, and whether your question belongs with the state or with your county.
If you live in Ramsey County, which includes St. Paul and suburbs such as Maplewood and Roseville, our Ramsey County page shows the listing for that county. Ramsey County's own human services staff handle local casework, so a call to the county is often faster than a trip to the state campus.
Metro and Greater Minnesota: What Changes Depending on Where You Live
Geography shapes the experience of using Medical Assistance in Minnesota. In the Twin Cities metro, counties such as Hennepin (Minneapolis), Ramsey (St. Paul), Dakota and Anoka serve large populations. They generally have bigger staffs, more service locations and more interpreters. Minnesota has sizable Somali, Hmong, Latino and Karen communities, and metro offices are more likely to have staff who speak those languages in person.
In Greater Minnesota, the picture is different. Smaller counties often run a single human services office in the county seat, and some residents live a long drive from it. Counties such as St. Louis (Duluth) and Olmsted (Rochester) are larger regional hubs, while many northern and western counties have small teams who know their caseload personally. In those places, phone appointments, mailed forms and online applications matter more than walking in.
Health plan choice also varies. Most people on MA receive care through managed care plans under contract with DHS, and the plans available to you depend on your county of residence. Seniors may be offered programs such as Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO), and some people with disabilities can choose Special Needs BasicCare. Metro residents tend to see more plan options, while some rural counties offer fewer. Check that your clinic and pharmacy are in the plan network before you enroll.
Medical Assistance also covers non-emergency medical transportation for eligible members. This benefit matters most in rural areas where the nearest specialist may be in Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud or the Twin Cities. Ask your health plan or county how to schedule a ride, since these trips usually need advance notice.
What to Bring and What Happens After You Apply
Having documents ready shortens the process. Gather these before you apply or visit:
- A photo ID for the adult applicant.
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying for coverage, or immigration documents if they apply.
- Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, a tax return or self-employment records.
- Proof of your Minnesota address, such as a lease or utility bill.
- Bank statements, vehicle and property information if you are 65 or older or applying because of a disability.
- Current health insurance or Medicare cards, if you have them.
After you apply, you will receive a notice by mail or through your online account. It may ask for extra verification and will set a deadline. Respond before that date, even if you can only send part of what is requested, and ask for more time in writing if needed. Once approved, you will be assigned or asked to choose a health plan and will receive a member ID card. Keep a copy of every notice, because the dates on it control your appeal rights.
Medicaid in Minnesota is administered by the state health and human services agency, providing health coverage for eligible low-income residents through a combination of fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems tailored to the state's population needs.
Medicaid Office locations are available in 1 cities across Minnesota. They are spread across 1 counties.
Cities with the highest concentration include St. Paul, which have the largest Medicaid caseloads in the state and dedicated eligibility offices to serve high-need urban populations.
Residents of Minnesota can apply for Medicaid online through the state's health benefits portal or health exchange, by calling the Medicaid agency's toll-free number, or by visiting a local eligibility office with the required documentation.
Saint Paul Minnesota Medicaid Office
Residents of Minnesota who currently receive Medicaid should complete their annual renewal on time to avoid a gap in coverage. Most states send renewal notices by mail and email, and online renewal is typically the fastest method to maintain uninterrupted healthcare coverage.
Browse Medicaid Office by county across Minnesota to find the nearest location.
Keeping Medical Assistance Active in Ramsey County and Across Minnesota
Getting approved is only the first step. Most people on Medical Assistance go through a renewal about once a year. When the state can confirm your income from data sources, your coverage may renew automatically. Otherwise you will get a renewal form with a deadline, sent by mail or to your online account. Missing that deadline is one of the most common reasons coverage closes, so open every envelope from DHS, your county or MNsure.
Report changes promptly. A new job, a move, a change in household size or a new source of income can all affect eligibility. The notice you receive will state how quickly changes must be reported. If you move within Minnesota, tell both your old and new county so your case follows you. Residents of St. Paul and the rest of Ramsey County can start with the Ramsey County page, then confirm details with the county directly.
People who are 65 or older, or who have Medicare, should ask about Medicare Savings Programs, which can help pay Medicare premiums and sometimes other costs. Those who receive long-term care benefits should also know that Minnesota can seek repayment from the estates of some MA recipients age 55 and older. Ask your county worker how this applies before you make decisions about property.
If you cannot reach the right person, the listed Saint Paul Minnesota Medicaid Office at 444 Lafayette Road, 651-431-2670, is a reasonable place to ask where to direct a question. Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and what they told you.