Guide to Additional Health Care Resources
This guide lists various programs or agencies that provide health care services or information about services or insurance in specific situations. The information in this guide is divided by the following topics:
Attention: By selecting most of the links below, you will be leaving the Minnesota Department of Health web site.• Senior Information
• Free or Reduced Cost Health Care
• Lower Cost Dental Services
• Health Care for Children with Disabilities
• General Insurance Information
• Prescription Drugs
• Small Employer Information
• Veterans Information
Senior Information
Medicare Issues Hotline
1-800-633-4227
The federal government Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides
information on Medicare insurance supplements, claims, Medicare fraud and abuse, and general information on
Medicare. CMS takes complaints about Medicare Advantage and prescription drug (Part D) plans. Publications are also available. CMS is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Minnesota Board on Aging
(651) 431-2500 or 1-800-882-6262
The Minnesota Board on Aging
develops, coordinates, evaluates, and administers federal and state funds for the aging, makes grants to seven area
agencies on aging and to nonprofit agencies, and serves as an advocate for older persons. The Board partners
with many other groups to provide the web site www.MinnesotaHelp.info.
This web site lists community resources, including services for seniors, as well as caregivers and persons with disabilities. In addition, the Board publishes "Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare." This booklet provides a wide variety of information useful to seniors including listing all the plans that can supplement Medicare in Minnesota and each plan's coverage. It is on the Minnesota Board on Aging web site. Free copies are available from the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433.
Social Security Administration
1-800-772-1213
Provides public information materials about the Social Security Administration and supplemental security programs, as well as information on eligibility for Medicare. Free pamphlets on Social Security disability benefits and supplemental security income are available through this phone line. To replace a lost Medicare card, use the social security web site or call Social Security.
Senior LinkAge Line®
1-800-333-2433
The Senior LinkAge Line® is a nonprofit
telephone and referral service which is free to seniors and their families.
Seniors unsure of where to call with a health insurance or Medicare-related
question are encouraged to call the Senior LinkAge Line®. Questions can also be e-mailed to senior.linkage@state.mn.us. They also help seniors and others locate lower cost prescription drugs through a service called RX Connect. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Free or Reduced Cost Health Care
Assured Access (formerly Assured Care)
(612) 348-6141
Assured Access is a Hennepin County program available to Hennepin County residents who do
not qualify for other public programs. There are eligibility requirements.
Members receive a discount on bills for health care services provided by certain
clinics. There is no cost to enroll and no monthly premium.
Children's Defense Fund - Minnesota
(651) 227-6121
The Children's Defense Fund - Minnesota has compiled a Minnesota Low-Cost Health Care Directory
to help uninsured or poorly insured families with children understand some of
their health care options. Clinics are listed by county. Many of the listed clinics provide service to adults as well.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, metro area
(651) 297-1316 or TTY 888-206-6513
Their booklet "Financial Resources for Hearing Aids" lists organizations to contact for
lower cost or free hearing aids/and or assistive listening devices. There are eligibility requirements. Other helpful publications are also available.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
is part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Essential Community Providers
These clinics provide care to high-risk and special needs individuals and to individuals with limited access to health care services. Patients pay based on a sliding fee scale. The Minnestoa Department of Health, Managed Care Systems Section web site maintains a list of these clinics.
Mid-Minnesota Family Medicine Center
(320) 240-3157 or 1-800-575-2982
The Mid-Minnesota Family Medicine Center
clinic is located in St. Cloud but offers health services on a sliding fee scale basis to anyone who does not have health insurance.
Appointments are required and clients must bring proof of income.
Migrant Health Service, Inc.
(218) 236-6502 or 1-800-842-8693
There are seven health centers and two mobile units that offer low-cost health care on a sliding fee scale during the
summer months to farm workers in certain counties. They also have programs to assist victims of abuse. The Grafton, Moorhead, Rochester, and Wilmar clinics are open all year.
Minnesota Department of Health
(651) 201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414
The Refugee Health Program provides a
directory of "Health Resources Serving Diverse Cultural Communities." The directory lists by counties resources for health and dental services,
mental health, home care, services for battered women and those sexually assaulted, and some social services.
Many of these resources provide services at a lower cost and are available to refugees and others. The counties currently listed are: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Stearns, and Washington. Call
(651) 201-5414 for a printed copy of the directory.
Neighborhood Health Care Network (formerly known as Community Clinic Consortium)
(651) 489-2273 or 1-866-489-4899 (Portico HealthNet now answers these phone numbers and assists callers.)
The Neighborhood Health Care Network
is an alliance of community clinics in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. Network members provide a wide range
of services including primary/preventive services, prenatal care, reproductive services, and dental care. Check to
see whether the clinic offers a sliding fee scale, offers a fee payment schedule, and accepts public
assistance, MinnesotaCare® and other private insurance plans. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
Portico Healthnet (formerly Metro East Health Program)
(651) 603-5100
Portico Healthnet is for residents
of Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties who don't qualify for other public programs. For $25 to $50 a month (depending on household size and income)
all covered health care services are paid. Hospital, emergency room, and dental are not covered. There is a waiting
list to join.
Sage Screening Program (formerly the Minnesota Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program) 1-888-643-2584
The Sage Screening Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening and free or low-cost colposcopies to Minnesota women age 40 and over
who are uninsured or underinsured and who meet income eligibility. Services are provided at participating facilities. The program was previously called the Minnesota Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Federal Community Health Centers provide preventive and primary care health services. They serve "populations with limited access to health care. These include low income populations, the uninsured, those with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and those living in public housing." Services are provided on a sliding fee scale. To find a health center near you, click on Get Health Care on the web site and enter your zip code.
United Way 2-1-1 - First Call for Help
Use this number to reach your local First Call for Help: 211 or 1-800-543-7709
Please note that 211 works from many but not all cell phones.
United Way 211,
formerly United Way - First Call for Help, is a community answer line that provides you with information about,
and refers you to, individual and family services. Trained volunteers can give you information on health services,
health issues, counseling, child care, legal help, transportation, and more. The phone line is answered 24 hours a day. You can download the Twin Cities 211 resource database at http://callcenter.ctkodm.com and conduct your own search. For the Twin Cities area see Greater Twin Cities United Way.
Lower Cost Dental Services
Contact these organizations to locate lower cost dental care in your area.
Minnesota Dental Association
(612) 767-8400 or 1-800-950-3368
Minneapolis District Dental Society
(651) 631-9845
St. Paul District Dental Society
(651) 697-0831
Neighborhood Health Care Network
(651) 489-2273 or 1-866-489-4899 (Portico HealthNet now answers these phone numbers and assists callers.)
Some of the Neighborhood Health Care Network
member clinics provide dental care. Check to see whether the clinic has a sliding fee scale and accepts
public assistance and MinnesotaCare® or other private insurance plans.
University of Minnesota Dental Clinic
(612) 625-2495
Supervised dental work at the
University of Minnesota Dental Clinic is done by students in their last two years of dental school.
For orthodontic work call (612) 625-6444. Supervised orthodontic work is done by residents who have
finished their dentistry schooling and are now specializing in orthodontics.
Health Care for Children with Disabilities
TEFRA
As a component of Medical Assistance,
TEFRA helps families cover health care costs for their severely disabled children who
would otherwise require institutional-level care. Eligibility is based on the child's income, assets, and level of
disability, and other requirements. Eligibility is not based on the parent's income or assets. Contact your county human service agency for
more information. A list of county agencies can be found in the "Guide to Minnesota's Public Health Care Programs" or call the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse 651 201-5178 or 1-800-657-3793.
Minnesota Children with Special Health Needs
(651) 201-3650 or 1-800-728-5420
The Minnesota
Children with Special Health Needs section of the Minnesota Department of Health
is a referral resource for Minnesota families with children under 21 who have disabling or potentially
disabling conditions or chronic illnesses. They help families locate services and resources.
(612) 596-6100
The Shriners Twin Cities Unit provides care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions who live in Minnesota and some surrounding states and Canadian provinces. The only criterion for admission is that the child has a treatable orthopedic condition. All care provided at or authorized by the hospital is provided at no charge to patients, parents, third party payers, or governmental agencies.
General Insurance Information
Minnesota Department of Commerce
(651) 296-4026 or 1-800-657-3602
The Minnesota Department of Commerce regulates
insurance companies and insurance agents. They do not regulate Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
This department answers questions and addresses complaints about the companies it regulates.
Minnesota Department of Health
(651) 201-5100 or 1-800-657-3916
The Managed Care Systems section of the Minnesota Department of Health
regulates Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs). This department answers questions and
addresses complaints about the companies it regulates.
www.minnesotahealthinfo.org
This web site provides information on buying health coverage, on comparing the cost and quality of health plans, doctors, hospitals and nursing homes, information on assuring quality care, and on a wide variety of other health-care related information.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
1-800-358-9295
The federal
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
publications cover topics such as medical treatment effectiveness, health care
costs and utilization, health care expenditures, health information systems,
health technology assessment, clinical practice guidelines, and funding
opportunities for grants and contracts. Single copies of publications are
available free upon request from the agency.
America's Health Insurance Plans (formerly Health Insurance Association of America)
1-202-778-3200
The America's Health Insurance Plans association publishes a variety of consumer guidebooks on topics such as health insurance,
long-term care, and Medicare supplements.
Health Insurance Counseling Program
1-800-333-2433
The Health Insurance Counseling Program for
seniors provides information, counseling, and public education about health
insurance. This is the Senior LinkAge Line®. It is Minnesota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Minnesota Insurance HelpLine
The
Insurance HelpLine provides general information on insurance, insurance companies,
and suggestions on how to go about finding insurance coverage. Contact them through the Insurance Federation of Minnesota. Click on the Insurance HelpLine link on the left side of the page and leave an e-mail asking your questions.
National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions
(703) 684-1355
The National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions provides information on children's hospitals and what to consider when a child will be hospitalized. Click on About Us, About Children's Hospitals, Acts and Trends for A Parent's Guide to Choosing Hospital Care for Children.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners web site provides information about different types of insurance including health insurance. See "Insure U Get Smart about Insurance" or go directly to www.insureuonline.org to see information in "Life Situations - Tips and Information." Provides health, auto, home, and life insurance information for persons in various life situations (single, families, seniors, domestic partnerds, military). Also click on "LIBRARY Consumers Resources and Guides" for additional general insurance information. The Association publishes booklets on insurance including Medigap and long-term care. To request
one free copy of "Choosing a Medigap Policy" and "A Shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance" call the order line at 816-783-8300 or order on line.
National Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1-800-336-4797
The
National Health Information Center is a health information referral service which locates organizations as
resources for health professionals and consumers who have health-related
questions. Also see www.healthfinder.gov for publications, health information, healthy living and prevention information, and lists of toll-free numbers to organizations that provide health-related information, education and support. The database for publications lists thousands of on-line federal health publications. The NHIC is also accessible via e-mail at: info@nhic.org.
Prescription Drugs
RxConnect
1-800-333-2433
RxConnect is a service that helps Minnesota residents find programs that provide free or discounted prescription drugs. Most of these programs have income
and eligibility requirements. Applications are provided. The service is available to all ages and is provided by the Minnesota Board on Aging through the Senior LinkAge Line®.
Minnesota RxConnect
Minnesota RxConnect is the state of Minnesota web site which helps Minnesotans make informed decisions when accessing lower cost prescription drugs locally. Minnesota RxPrice Compare shows the local Minnesota price of 400 drugs. Consumers can search for their prescription drugs by city, county or zip code. It lists prescription drugs that are available and their prices. The site includes general safety and savings tips when using and purchasing prescription drugs. As of March 1, 2010 the Minnesota Rx Connect no longer provides a way to order from Canadian pharmacies because demand for this service has diminished. See their site for additional information.
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D)
Medicare began offering a drug benefit as of January 1, 2006. Contact the Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433 or Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) for questions about Medicare Part D. The Minnesota Board on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide updates on this benefit.
Certain enrollees are eligible for a partial or full subsidy to help pay for this drug benefit. This subsidy is sometimes referred to as the "Low Income Subsidy" or "Extra Help." View the Social Security website or call the State of Minnesota Senior LinkAge Line® at 1-800-333-2433 to see if you would be eligible to apply for assistance. Some individuals automatically receive this assistance and would not need to apply for it.
Patient Assistance Programs
Many pharmaceutical companies provide reduced price or free drugs to eligible people. Two resources linking to patient assistance programs are
www.rxassist.org
and www.needymeds.com. You can check to see if your prescription drugs are
available at a lower cost and if you are eligible for the programs. On the NeedyMeds web site, click on Generic
Name List, or Brand Name List, or Company List to see if your drug is listed and for information about the specific
prescription assistance programs. Most of the prescription assistance programs have eligibility requirements. Both of these sites also provide other helpful information regarding getting prescription drugs.
Prescription Drug Cards
These cards offer prescription drug discounts. One free card is the Minnesota Drug Card which is available to all Minnesotans. There are no eligibility requirements. The card provides an average savings of 30 percent, sometimes as much as 75 percent, on prescription drugs. Useful for the uninsured, underinsured, and for even the insured who need help paying for prescription drugs the insurance does not cover. See www.mndrugcard.com to read more and print the free card to get discounts on your prescription drugs. Or call 1-888-952-8376.
Additional prescription drug resources and information are available in the publication "Low Cost Options for Prescription Drugs" available through the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse, Minnesota Department of Health, (651) 201-5178 or 1-800-657-3793.
Small Employer Information
A print copy of "Guide to the Small Employer Health Benefit Plan Market" is available through the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse, (651) 201-5178 or 1-800-697-3793. The guide provides answers to initial questions small employers have about the small employer health plan market. It lists companies that are licensed to sell health coverage to small employers in Minnesota.
Veterans
Veterans Linkage Line 1-888-546-5838 (1-888-LINKVET), TTY: 1-800-627-3529. Provides veterans and family members with information or resources on veterans' benefits, claims, health care, counseling, and many other topics.
For more information contact the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse:
By telephone:
(651) 201-5178 or 1-800-657-3793
TTY: (651) 201-5797
By mail:
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse
Compliance Monitoring Division
85 East Seventh Place, P.O. Box 64882
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0882
By e-mail:
health.clearinghouse@state.mn.us
By fax:
(651) 201-5186
We are always looking for new information to pass to Minnesota residents. If you believe your organization belongs in our "Guide to Additional Health Care Resources," we'd like to hear from you. Please write or call: Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 64882, St. Paul, MN 55164-0882, (651) 201-5178 or 1-800-657-3793.
Health Plan Options was created by the Minnesota Department of Health in collaboration with the Minnesota Departments of Commerce and Human Services. The Minnesota Department of Health thanks everyone who reviewed and provided information for Health Plan Options.
Produced by the Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse, Revised June 2011. If you require this document in another format, such as large print, Braille, or cassette tape, call (651) 201-5178 or 1-800-657-3793.
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