How to Get Coverage and Care January 1st

ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 27 -- The Minnesota Department of Human Services issued the following news release:

Individuals seeking coverage for public programs January 1st can submit paper applications if they are having trouble getting through online via the MNsure website. Paper applications must be received by 6 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2013. People who have already applied online through MNsure and received their official Health Care Notice in the mail or who have submitted a paper application do not need to take any immediate action.

<p>"While applying online is still the best and quickest way to find out whether you are eligible for public programs," said Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, "we want to make sure that those experiencing trouble have an alternate path to get the coverage they need on Jan. 1. Applicants and enrollees for public programs should call the DHS Member Help Desk."

Medical Assistance is available for most individuals making less than $15,281 per year. Parents, children, and pregnant women can have more income based on family size.

MinnesotaCare is available for individuals making up to $22,980. This amount increases for households with more family members.

How to submit a paper application:

To submit a paper application, download the paper application at: https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-6696-ENG.

If you need assistance completing the application, you can get help through the assistor network. A list of application assistors can be found at: https://www.mnsure.org/tools/locater/index.jsp.

Submit the completed and signed paper applications by:

- Fax to 651-431-7750

- Mail to MNsure Operations PO Box 64252 St. Paul, MN 55164-0252. (Mail must be received, not postmarked, on or before Dec. 31, 2013, to be considered for Jan. 1 coverage.)

- In-Person Submission at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building (First floor), 540 Cedar Street St. Paul, MN 55101 or at your county human services agency. Staff will be available at the Minnesota Department of Human Services until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 to accept paper applications.

If an individual applied through MNsure and was approved for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare coverage:

Nearly 20,000 membership cards are being mailed this weekend but individuals who have applied through MNsure and received an eligibility notice for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare may not get their member card by Jan. 1. For these individuals, the official Health Care Notice they received in the mail will serve as proof of insurance for their provider or pharmacy. If an individual does not have a notice they can give their Social Security Number and birth date to their clinic or pharmacy if they need it to check your eligibility

Applicants and enrollees for public programs should call the DHS Member Help Desk at 651-431-2670 or 1-800-657-3739.

The Member Help Desk will be open on Jan. 1, 2014, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Starting Jan. 2, 2014, Member Help Desk hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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