People age 65+ with low income may be able to simplify coverage and get more benefits in one plan.

Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) is a federal and state program that provides health plans to people with low income. To get coverage, you have to meet income limits and sometimes asset limits too. If you’re age 65 or older and meet the eligibility requirements, here are your options in Minnesota.

Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+)

Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+) provides medical, Medicaid prescription drugs and dental benefits and helps pay for additional services. These services include personal care assistance, home and community-based services (like homemaker services or assisted living) and more, if you qualify. You can have MSC+ only or also have Medicare and/or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan from the federal government.

If you live in the community (not in a skilled nursing facility), you can work with a Care Coordinator for support throughout the stages of your health care journey. Care Coordinators are registered nurses or licensed social workers who explain how your plan works. They partner with you to set health goals, make a care plan, and give you support and tools. And they help you navigate Medicare and Medicaid services if you qualify for them.

You may have a copay for some services. If you do, it won’t be higher than $3.50. You may also have copays for Part D medications depending on your level of Extra Help (a program that helps pay Part D costs for people with limited income and resources).

Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO)

MSHO is for people who are dual eligible, which means they’re eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. MSHO combines the benefits of Medical Assistance and Medicare into one plan. In addition to medical and dental benefits, it includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. MSHO covers home and community-based services, and you work with a Care Coordinator no matter where you live.

Here’s how MSHO is different:

• $0 premium, $0 deductible and $0 copays for covered medical, dental and Medicaid services and Part D prescription drugs
• Combining all the coverages together makes it easier for you. You only have one member ID card and less paperwork because one health plan handles all benefits and pays most bills.

Why compare?

The state of Minnesota chooses health insurance companies to offer MSC+ and MSHO plans. The plans available will vary by which county in Minnesota you live within. It’s a good idea to compare plans for these reasons:

• MSC+ plans offer the same benefits, but they have different doctors, clinicians, clinics and hospitals in their networks.
• MSHO plans offer the same core benefits but they also have supplemental benefits, which are different among the plan options. So you’ll want to select a plan that best meets your health needs. They also have different networks of doctors, clinicians, clinics and hospitals.

If you think you’re eligible for an MSC+ or MSHO plan, you can get information from:

• Your County Human Services office
• The Minnesota Department of Human Services website or call 800-657-3739
• Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP); the Senior LinkAge Line® is the SHIP in Minnesota and offers free, independent health plan consulting at 800-333-2433, TTY 711, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
• The sales team at an insurance company that offers MSHO plans