The Health Economics Program (HEP) conducts empirical, objective research and applied policy analysis to monitor changes in the health care marketplace; to understand factors influencing health care cost, quality and access; and to provide technical assistance in the development of state health care policy.

We maintain a range of Data Resources for analysis, and publish reports, papers, issue briefs, presentations and more in our Publications library.

Image of Minnesota shape in the background, generic graph, and gavel, government building, dollar icon, and icon indicating a medical professional in the foreground.

Opinions on MN's Medicaid program

Examine the Opinions in Minnesota About Medical Assistance (PDF) and the accompanying Minnesota Opinions about Medical Assistance Data (Excel).

Pie graph, 17.8% retail prescription drug, 17.7% inpatient, 24.8% outpatient, 39.7% Professional.

Spending, Prices, and Utilization

Learn more about the spending, prices, and use of medical care and retail prescription drugs in the Health Care Spending, Prices, and Utilization in Minnesota: 2018 to 2022 (PDF) issue brief.

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MN Study of Telehealth Expansion

Dive into HEP's final report, nine recommendations, and set of supplemental reports on the Telehealth Publications webpage.

Recent publications

This fact sheet and accompanying spreadsheet share findings from the MNHA survey on Minnesota Opinions about Medical Assistance. Key findings include broad support for Medical Assistance and wide opposition to the federal government reducing the amount of money it puts toward Medical Assistance. (June 2025)

Opinions in Minnesota About Medical Assistance, the State's Medicaid Program (PDF)

Minnesota Opinions about Medical Assistance Data (Excel)

This report provides the Minnesota Legislature with an update on MDH's study on the impact of low-value care delivered to Minnesota residents, and the volume and growth of administrative spending by health care organizations and group purchasers. (June 2025)

Low-Value Care and Administrative Health Care Spending Studies: Update for the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)

This brief relies upon data from the Minnesota All Payer Claims Database (MN APCD) and methods developed by the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to produce population-based estimates of spending, utilization, and prices for medical care and prescription drugs. (December 2024)

Health Care Spending, Prices, and Utilization in Minnesota: 2018 to 2022 (PDF)

Health Care Spending, Prices, and Utilization in Minnesota: 2018 to 2022—Supplement (PDF)

This is the first 340B Covered Entity Report to the Minnesota Legislature. It presents analysis of the information reported to MDH in 2024 on data related to covered entities' 340B prescription drug purchases and payments. (November 2024)

340B Covered Entity Report: 2024 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)

This issue brief provides estimates of health care spending for Minnesota residents in 2021. It also explores health care spending growth, how enrollment in types of coverage contributes to spending, and includes information on the drivers of spending. (October 2024)

Key Trends for Minnesota Health Care Spending in 2021 (PDF)

Infographic: Minnesota Health Care Spending in 2021 (PDF)

Data Short Take: Minnesota Health Care Spending Trends, 2017-2021 (PDF)

Chartbook: Minnesota Health Care Spending and Cost Drivers (PDF)

Supplemental Information: Historical Health Care Spending Estimate Methodology (PDF)

This issue brief provides the most recent health care spending projections for Minnesota residents from 2022 through 2031. Using historical data and statistical methods, this brief summarizes projected health care spending growth by type of payer and service category. (October 2024)

Minnesota Health Care Spending Projections, 2022 to 2031: Key Trends (PDF)

Supplemental Information: Health Care Spending Projections Methodology 2022-2031 (PDF)

This final report to the Minnesota Legislature summarizes findings from a wide range of qualitative and quantitative studies conducted by MDH and its partners. A synthesis of study results suggests the overall conclusion that, to date, telehealth has expanded access to health care without appearing to compromise health care quality or patient satisfaction. (September 2024)

Study of Telehealth Expansion and Payment Parity: Final Report to the Minnesota Legislature 2024 (PDF)

A set of supplements are available on the Telehealth Publications webpage.

This report details reasons for the prolonged transfer and discharge delays experienced by mental health and substance use disorder patients who seek hospital care in Minnesota. The 14-day study included 33 emergency departments and 13 inpatient units at Minnesota hospitals and was conducted in partnership with Wilder Research: Homeless, Health and Aging Studies. (July 2024)

Transfer and Discharge Delays for Behavioral Health Patients at Minnesota Hospitals (PDF)

This report presents administrative spending data for health insurance carriers that collected more than $3 million in total health premiums form Minnesota residents in 2020 and 2021. The report includes a summary of high-level trends, findings, and detailed tables for each eligible Minnesota group purchaser on 14 categories of administrative spending. (June 2024)

Administrative Costs of Minnesota Health Plans in 2020 and 2021 (PDF)