Medical Assistance and Pregnancy

Medical Assistance (MA) is Minnesota’s Medicaid program for people with low incomes. MA provides free health care to children and families, pregnant people, adults without children, seniors, and people who are blind or have a disability.

CHIP-Funded MA is available for pregnant people who can’t get regular MA because they are undocumented, only have temporary immigration status or are not citizens.

MA coverage can start as soon as you think you are pregnant. Before July 2022, pregnancy based coverage lasted for 60 days after the pregnancy ends. But a change in July 2022 makes coverage last for 12-months after the pregnancy ends. The time after the pregnancy ends is called the postpartum period.

Note: the postpartum period starts on the day the pregnancy ends. It doesn’t matter if there is a birth or not.

If you are pregnant or in the postpartum period, you might be eligible for MA. 

You need to:  

• be pregnant or be in the 12-month postpartum period and

• meet other MA criteria, like income level and citizenship/immigration requirements.

There’s more information about eligibility in the “MN Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual” on the DHS website: https://mn.gov/dhs.

If you get MA under the pregnant person basis of eligibility, you are covered from the month of conception until the end of the 12-month postpartum period. It doesn’t matter if there are changes in your income, your family size, or renewal requirements.

If you are pregnant and undocumented, you may be able to get CHIP-Funded MA or Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA). If you apply for or are already getting CHIP-funded MA for pregnant people or EMA, you do not have to give a Social Security number or state your immigration status. See our fact sheet Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA).

You may be eligible for CHIP-funded MA if:

• you are undocumented or are a noncitizen who can’t get MA,

• your income is $4,241 a month or less. This is for a household of 2 (you and your pregnancy = 2). The income limit goes up if there are more people in your household.

• you are not enrolled in other health care coverage, and

• you are a resident of Minnesota
   

There’s more information about eligibility in the “MN Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual” on the DHS website: https://mn.gov/dhs.

If you get CHIP-Funded MA under the pregnant person basis of eligibility, you are covered from the month of conception until the end of the 12-month postpartum period. It doesn’t matter if there are changes in your income, your family size, or renewal requirements.

If you are pregnant, or think you may be, apply for MA at www.MNSure.org. If you can’t get regular MA because of your immigration status, ask at your doctor’s office about working with a free navigator or another trusted person to apply.  

You can also apply at your county welfare office.

If you are getting MA or CHIP-funded MA based on pregnancy, you are automatically covered for 12-months after the pregnancy ends. It is automatic, you don’t have to do anything.

If you were getting MA or CHIP-funded MA based on pregnancy between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, you can get coverage for the extra months covered under the new law.  

The Department of Human Services (DHS) sent out notices about the new law to anyone getting MA under the pregnant person basis. There should also be a form with the notice that you need to return to your county agency if you want coverage for any remaining months.

If you didn’t get a notice or have questions, contact your local legal services. You can find services in your area at www.lawhelpmn.org/providers-and-clinics. 

MA and CHIP-funded MA offer a wide range of MA coverage. The coverage is not limited to only pregnancy-related care. During pregnancy and the 12-month postpartum period, you are covered for things like:

• Doctor and clinic visits

• Hospital and OB/GYN services

• Dental care

• Mental health and substance use services

• Prescriptions

• Medical equipment – like breast pumps and blood pressure units
   

See the MHCP Summary of Coverage, Cost Sharing and Limits page for a detailed list of covered services. Go to https://mn.gov/dhs.

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If you are eligible for MA on the day you give birth, your child is considered an “auto newborn.” This means your child is automatically eligible for MA for 1 year. Auto newborns don’t have to meet any of the MA criteria except be a Minnesota resident. They are eligible through the end of the month of their first birthday.

There’s more information about auto newborn eligibility in the “MN Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual” on the DHS website: https://mn.gov/dhs.