American Indians

MNsure is the official health insurance marketplace for Minnesota residents. It's where you can find the right coverage for you and your family, and information about the special protections and benefits provided for American Indians by the Affordable Care Act.

Even if you receive services from your Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal or Urban Indian health care facility, here's what MNsure can provide for you:

Health insurance to help cover the costs you pay for services received outside of your IHS, Tribal or Urban Indian health care facility; things like a hospital stay or specialty care.
One-stop shopping to compare and enroll in private insurance plans or public programs such as Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare (MCRE).
Clear descriptions of all plans with side-by-side comparisons so you can choose the one that is best for you.
Quality coverage, including doctor visits, hospital stays, maternity care, mental health services, emergency room care, prescriptions, dental care and more.
More choices of doctors and clinics for your health care.
Help to cover the cost of premiums if you have any.
Consistent care so you can continue to get care from your IHS, Tribal or Urban Indian health care facility.

Verification of American Indian Status

Enrolled members of U.S. federally recognized tribes must be able to verify their enrollment (Source: 45 CFR section 155.350 (c)). Enrolled members can provide MNsure with a copy of one of the following documents to verify their tribal enrollment.

Tribal enrollment card
Tribal enrollment or membership document such as a certified letter from the tribe or bureau or Indian Affairs (BIA) that must be on official letterhead
Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) issued by the BIA or tribe if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information.
Documents issued by an Alaska Native village/tribe or an Alaska Native Corporation Settlement Act (ANCSA) regional or village corporation.

American Indian Special Enrollment Period Includes Non-Tribal Household Members

Members of federally recognized American Indian tribes may enroll through MNsure or change plans one time per month, year-round, including outside the annual open enrollment period. MNsure expanded this monthly special enrollment period to permit household members who are not tribal members, and who apply for coverage with the qualifying tribal member, to enroll in a qualified health plan or dental plan, or change plans.

Household members who are not enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe are not eligible for this special enrollment period on their own, and may only enroll in or change plans under this special enrollment period in a month in which the qualifying tribal member enrolls in or changes plans.

As with other special enrollment periods, Minnesotans must complete an application and contact MNsure at 651-539-2099 or 855-366-7873 to determine whether they qualify and have MNsure process their enrollment.

Get Help Paying for Health Insurance

Many individuals or families, even those who are working, can get financial help to purchase a plan. Financial help is available based on household size and maximum yearly income: see the income guidelines.

Cost-Sharing Benefits

There are three ways cost sharing may be reduced for American Indians who enroll in a qualified health plan through MNsure.

Zero-cost-sharing plans: American Indians enrolled in a U.S. federally recognized tribe who have a household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG) and who enroll in a qualified health plan (QHP) through MNsure will have to pay premiums, but will not have cost sharing (such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance) regardless of where they receive care or the plan metal level they choose. Enrolling in bronze plan will provide the same zero-cost-sharing benefit as a silver or gold plan, but bronze plan premiums usually cost less.
Limited cost-sharing plans: American Indians enrolled in a U.S. federally recognized tribe who have a household income above 300% FPG and who enroll in a QHP through MNsure will have to pay for premiums and may have to pay cost sharing if they get service outside of an I/T/U facility. IHS/Tribal Contract Health Services (CHS) funds may pay for cost sharing for CHS-eligible American Indians if CHS rules are followed.
Reduced cost sharing: descendants of enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe who are below 250% FPG, who are enrolled in a silver level QHP through MNsure, will have reduced cost sharing (such as deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance) when services are provided by a non-Indian health care provider.

Other Benefits

American Indians enrolled in a U.S. federally recognized tribe may enroll in or change their enrollment in a QHP monthly. (See FAQ for American Indians)

Special Rules for American Indians in Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and Medicare

Medical Assistance

Adult American Indians and their adult household members up to 133% FPG are eligible for Medical Assistance. Their children are eligible for Medical Assistance up to 283% FPG.
Medical Assistance is a premium-free program for all qualified participants.
American Indians and Alaska Natives do not have Medical Assistance cost sharing if they currently receive or have ever received care from an I/T/U provider or a referral from an I/T/U to a non-Indian provider. Any non-Indian household members will be responsible for cost sharing.
American Indians who qualify for Medical Assistance and live on a reservation are excluded from mandatory enrollment in managed care and will be covered on a fee-for-service basis. However, they may choose to enroll in managed care on an individual basis regardless of residence on a reservation. American Indians who enroll in managed care Medical Assistance, whether or not they live on a reservation, have direct access to I/T/U facilities, even if the provider is not in network.

MinnesotaCare

Adult American Indians, Alaska Natives and their adult household members up to 200% FPG are eligible for MinnesotaCare.
American Indians, Alaska Natives and their household members are not required to pay MinnesotaCare premiums.
American Indians who are members of a federally recognized tribe are not subject to cost sharing for any covered services, regardless of where they receive care.
American Indians do not have MinnesotaCare cost sharing if they receive care at I/T/U facilities or if they have a referral from an I/T/U facility when they receive covered services from other health care providers. This is true regardless of whether the person is a member of a federally recognized tribe.
Non-Indian members of American Indian households are not required to pay MinnesotaCare premiums, but are responsible for cost sharing.
American Indians and Alaska Natives eligible for MinnesotaCare must enroll in a managed care plan.

Medicare

Individuals on Medicare may qualify for Medical Assistance or for help paying Medicare premiums and co-pays. Medicare beneficiaries may apply directly through their local county or tribal agency. Individuals who are eligible for free Medicare Part A, even if not enrolled, or are enrolled in a Part B or Premium Part A cannot purchase a QHP on MNsure and are not eligible for MinnesotaCare.
Individuals who become eligible for free Medicare Part A or enroll in Part B or Premium Part A after purchasing a QHP can stay enrolled in the QHP but are not eligible for a premium tax credit or cost-sharing reductions.
Medicare beneficiaries who are looking for health coverage through MNsure should contact the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433 to speak with a Medicare specialist before enrolling in a QHP.

Tribal Sponsorship

Some Minnesota tribes are supporting qualifying members by paying their insurance premiums. Contact your tribal clinic for more information.