2013 MinnesotaCare

A safety net if you can’t find affordable coverage

MinnesotaCare is a health care program for children, adults and seniors who don’t have access to affordable health care coverage, but do not meet the eligibility requirements for Medical Assistance. Working adults who are unable to get health care coverage through an employer may qualify.
You will need to pay a monthly premium (fee) for health care coverage. The amount depends on your income and family size.

If you qualify
If you meet income and program guidelines, your county will send you information on the health plans that offer benefits for MinnesotaCare members in your county. How to find out if you qualify. Blue Plus offers MinnesotaCare in all counties except Anoka, Carver, Hennepin, Scott and Washington.

This information is available in other forms to people with disabilities by calling Blue Plus member services at (651) 662-5545 (voice), 1-800-711-9862, (651) 662-8700 or 1-888-878-0137 (TDD) or 711, or through the Minnesota Relay direct access numbers at 1-800-627-3529 (TTY, voice, ASCII, hearing carryover), or 1-877-627-3848 (speech-to-speech).

More information
Evidence of Coverage (PDF) Why you need a health plan How to apply Get Acrobat Reader  

Health support for Blue Plus members

At Blue Plus, we want to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Through Blue Plus, you can use a range of services at little or no extra cost.

Your primary care clinic – the first place to go for health care needs
Members have access to thousands of primary care clinics in large cities and rural areas. All Blue Plus health care providers meet national quality standards.

No referral needed to see a specialist
You do not need a referral from Blue Plus to see any specialist (like a surgeon or a doctor) in our large provider network. Some medical services still require a special review between your doctor and health plan called prior authorization.

24-Hour Nurse Advice Line
When you or someone in your family is sick, you can call a nurse to ask questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Blood lead testing
Blue Plus will give you a reward card just for having your child tested for lead poisoning. More about blood lead testing (PDF).
Car seats
Blue Plus will send eligible members up to a $50 VISA reward card to help pay you back after you buy a car seat. Reward cards from Blue Plus (PDF).
Child & Teen Checkups
Checkups are covered 100 percent.

Dedicated Clinician
If you’re living with an ongoing health condition or you have had a major illness or injury, a Dedicated Clinician can help you make the best choices for your care, and help you follow your treatment plan.

Dental services Basic dental care services, including X-rays, fillings, checkups and teeth cleaning are provided by Delta Dental of Minnesota using the CivicSmiles network.

Healthy Start® Prenatal Support
Healthy Start connects moms-to-be with a specially trained nurse who talks with you regularly by phone for extra health support. You’ll get helpful materials and up to $100 in reward cards for being in the program. If you begin the Healthy Start program in your first 20 weeks of pregnancy, you will get a $50 reward card. If you talk with a nurse over the phone throughout your pregnancy, you will get another $50 reward card after your baby is born. More about Healthy Start (PDF).  

Language services
Blue Plus offers language services for members who need help during a health care visit.

Mental health, drug and alcohol health care services
Blue Plus members have access to treatment for mental health, drug and alcohol abuse through the Behavioral Health network.

Online health and wellness resources
Find information, news, tips and tools on almost any health topic. You can also see special sections that deal with cancer, pain, heart health, mental health and alternative medicine.

Prescriptions
Prescription drugs are available through our nationwide network of pharmacies.

Specialty care
Blue Plus members have access to services like chiropractic care, ob/gyn, vision care and more.

Stop-Smoking Support
If you’re trying to quit using tobacco, Stop-Smoking Support can help. You get one-on-one telephone counseling and tools to help you quit.

Transportation
Children and pregnant women may be able to get a ride to and from health care appointments through MinnesotaCare. Members should contact MinnesotaCare to arrange for transportation services. Special transportation can be arranged for members who meet certain criteria by contacting member services.
 

American Indians can continue or begin to use tribal and Indian Health Services (IHS) clinics. We will not require prior approval or impose any conditions for you to get services at these clinics. For enrollees age 65 years and older this includes Elderly Waiver (EW) services accessed through the tribe. If a doctor or other provider in a tribal or IHS clinic refers you to a provider in our network, we will not require you to see your health plan primary care provider prior to the referral.

Delta Dental of Minnesota is independent from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus. Delta Dental provides administrative services for dental benefits, including access to the CivicSmiles network.