Healthcare & Mental Health Resources
Having healthcare coverage is more important now than ever for Minnesotans and our families. As a Minnesotan, you have options to make sure that you and your family are covered. Overviews of the coverage options in Minnesota can be found here and a guide to public healthcare options can be found here.
Low- or no-cost coverage is available through Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare for those who qualify. Enrollment in these programs is open year-round and provides comprehensive coverage. To enroll in private insurance plans outside of the usual enrollment period requires a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs require a qualifying life event like moving, marriage, or an employer ending your coverage. To be eligible for coverage under a Special Enrollment Period, you must enroll within 60 days of the qualifying life event.
On May 12th, MNsure announced a Special Enrollment Period for Minnesotans who become eligible for financial help with health coverage due to a decrease in income.
MNsure has a network of expert assisters who can help Minnesotans apply and enroll, free of charge. MNsure's online help tools can be used to access frequently requested services. The MNsure Contact Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873.
On April 2nd, Minnesota's commercial health plans announced an agreement to waive testing and treatment costs relating to Covid-19 until at least May 31st. The health plans in the agreement include Blue Cross & Blue Shield MN, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Medica, PreferredOne, and UCare. Testing co-pays had already been covered by health plans. This new agreement means that if someone insured by one of these companies needs to be hospitalized for Covid-19, they will not be billed for hospitalization at an in-network hospital.
Minnesota health plans have agreed to waive some early refills restrictions for maintenance medications, including enrollees in public healthcare. Call your pharmacy to see if you are eligible to refill medications early. Families on public healthcare can find additional resources on the MN Department of Human Services website.
Mental & Behavioral Health
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and they are closely connected. Mental health plays a major role in your ability to maintain good physical health. It is normal to feel stress and anxiety related to Covid-19.
The Minnesota Department of Health has compiled mental health resources at this site. Their list of behavioral health resources can be found here.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness has made a guide of COVID-19 mental health resources.
If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call **CRISIS (**274747) or text MN to 741741.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Testing
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you are eligible to get tested and you should get tested. Find testing locations in your community.
The CARES Act requires that COVID-19 is free. Please note that this applies to the test only, office visits associated with testing are not necessarily covered. With specific questions about Covid-19 coverage, contact your insurance company directly.
On April 2nd, Minnesota's commercial health plans announced an agreement to waive testing and treatment costs relating to COVID-19 until at least May 31st. The health plans in the agreement include Blue Cross & Blue Shield MN, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Medica, PreferredOne, and UCare. Testing co-pays had already been covered by health plans. This new agreement means that if someone insured by one of these companies needs to be hospitalized for COVID-19, they will not be billed for hospitalization at an in-network hospital.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (like a fever or cough) and are having trouble getting tested, you can email my office at MN05.info@mail.house.gov.