Minnesota Department of Commerce
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Minnesota - including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Commerce can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Minnesota. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own search online.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Commerce. You can find instructions for filing a complaint here, or contact the Consumer Response Team by phone at 651.296.2488 or statewide toll free at 800.657.3602.
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees - for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage - for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan - contact your regional EBSA office.
Buying Individual Policies in Minnesota
As a general rule, insurers in Minnesota are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Department of Commerce can help you find out.
Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)
MCHA offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The MCHA website has information on their eligibility requirements, current premium rates, and available benefit plans.
MinnesotaCare - the State Children's Health Insurance Program
MinnesotaCare provides health insurance coverage for children under age 21 whose family meets certain income requirements.
Minnesota State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
SHIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about Minnesota Medicaid, including eligibility requirements, contact Minnesota Medical Assistance at the number listed below.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is responsible for regulating all types of insurance sold in the state of Minnesota - including health insurance policies.
If you are looking for health insurance coverage, the Department of Commerce can help you find an insurance agent or insurance company that is licensed to do business in Minnesota. You can contact them at the phone number listed below, or conduct your own search online.
If you are having trouble resolving a claims dispute with your insurer, you can file a complaint with the Department of Commerce. You can find instructions for filing a complaint here, or contact the Consumer Response Team by phone at 651.296.2488 or statewide toll free at 800.657.3602.
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651.296.4026
http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Commerce
U.S. Department of Labor
If you get your insurance through your job, your plan is also regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA). They make and enforce the rules that your employer must follow when offering health insurance coverage to employees - for example, your employer cannot single out an individual employee to exclude her from the plan because she (or one of her dependents) has a costly illness. Also, if there are 20 or more employees at your job, you should be offered COBRA continuation coverage when you leave your job. The EBSA works to make sure that all of this happens and your rights are protected.
If you have concerns about your employer's practices in administering your job-based health coverage - for example, if you think you should have been offered COBRA continuation coverage, but were not, or if you feel that you were wrongly terminated from your health plan - contact your regional EBSA office.
U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration
Kansas City Regional Office
1100 Main Street, Suite 1200
Kansas City, MO 64105-5148
Steve Eischen - Director
Tel 816.426.5131
Fax 816.426.5511
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/
Buying Individual Policies in Minnesota
As a general rule, insurers in Minnesota are allowed to reject your application for coverage based on your health status. However, you may qualify for coverage as a "HIPAA-eligible" individual if you:
- had at least 18 months of continuous creditable coverage, the last day of which was under a group plan AND
- you have exhausted all COBRA continuation coverage which was available to you.
People who are HIPAA-eligible are guaranteed the right to buy insurance through the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (described below). If you are not sure whether you are a HIPAA-eligible individual, your insurance agent or the Department of Commerce can help you find out.
Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA)
MCHA offers coverage to individuals who are unable to purchase an individual health insurance policy because they have pre-existing health conditions. It also covers "HIPAA-eligible" individuals as described above. The MCHA website has information on their eligibility requirements, current premium rates, and available benefit plans.
Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association
Customer Service, Mail Route CP555
401 Carlson Parkway
Minnetonka, MN 55305-5387
http://www.mchamn.com/index.html
MinnesotaCare - the State Children's Health Insurance Program
MinnesotaCare provides health insurance coverage for children under age 21 whose family meets certain income requirements.
MinnesotaCare
540 Cedar Street, 1st Floor
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651.297.3862 (Twin Cities metro area) OR 800.657.3672
http://www.minnesotacare411.com
Minnesota State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
SHIP provides free one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries with questions about any aspect of Medicare, including the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, or Medigap coverage.
Minnesota SHIP
Phone: 800.333.2433
Email: senior.linkage@state.mn.us
http://www.mnaging.org/advisor/SLL_SHIP.htm
Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
Medicaid is a government program designed to help the poor and indigent obtain health care services. Pregnant women and children under age 19 who meet certain income requirements may be eligible for Medicaid coverage, along with aged, blind, and disabled individuals. For more information about Minnesota Medicaid, including eligibility requirements, contact Minnesota Medical Assistance at the number listed below.
Minnesota Medical Assistance
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Phone: 651.431.2670 (Twin Cities metro area) or 800.657.3739
http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_006254