Health care services can be a major expense for the uninsured.
The uninsured face extremely high medical costs. In 2007, expenses for a single visit to the emergency room cost $1,038 on average, based on survey results from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Minnesota residents may qualify for coverage through the MinnesotaCare program, depending on income and other guidelines.
Minnesota Care Basics
MinnesotaCare is a subsidized health insurance program for those without coverage who cannot get affordable health insurance through other means, such an employer. You must pay a monthly premium, according to a sliding scale that is based on your income and household size. Benefits include preventive care, testing, hospitalization and surgery, as well as dental care, eye exams and family planning services.
Income Eligibility
Income is one criteria used to evaluate your application for MinnesotaCare. The maximum monthly income amount is based on family size and varies between the different categories of eligibility, which include children, pregnant women, families and childless adults. For example, an infant under age 2 in a family of three is income eligible if the family's monthly income is below $4,273; a single adult can have a maximum monthly income of $2,257.
Premium Amounts
Premiums also vary in accordance with household income. For example, a single person with a monthly income of $1,200 can expect to pay about $35 per month for coverage in 2010.
