Minnesota health plans to waive COVID-19 related expenses

Dear Neighbors,

I just received the following news from Governor Walz’s office:

“Minnesota’s health plans have agreed to waive cost-sharing for treatment of COVID-19. This move comes in response to the Governor’s Commissioners of Health and Commerce sending a letter on March 13 urging the health plans to remove barriers to coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

As a result, Minnesotans with commercial insurance — including individuals, small businesses, and some large businesses — are now eligible for the following benefits:

• Minnesotans will have no cost-sharing charges for COVID testing.


• Minnesotans who are hospitalized will have no cost-sharing charges for in-network hospitalization.


• Minnesotans will have expanded access to telemedicine services. This will help people to stay home and access care if they need it.

Minnesota’s non-profit health plans that have committed to this framework:

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota


• HealthPartners


• Hennepin Health


• Medica


• PreferredOne


• UCare

Many Minnesotans that receive their coverage through their employer have self-insured plans. The Departments of Health and Commerce do not have regulatory authority over these plans but are encouraging employers to work with their plan administrators to implement similar measures.

Yesterday afternoon, Minnesota began accepting applications for emergency grants for child care providers. The Legislature appropriated $30 million for the program late last week, and it is expected to provide about $10 million per month over the next few months to support basic infrastructure needed to keep child care capacity available. Click here for information about eligibility, benefits, and the application process. 

On an unrelated note, April 1 was Census Day, and all of us have a stake in the outcome of this undertaking. With new uncertainties created by COVID-19, it's now more important than ever to ensure that your family, neighbors, and our communities benefit from an accurate count. Visit www.my2020census.gov for help and answers to your questions. 

Please reach out to my office with questions and comments about the Census, Minnesota’s response to COVID-19, or any other issue. Email me at rep.paul.marquart@house.mn, call 1-800-551-5520, or visit www.house.mn/04B.   

Sincerely,

Paul Marquart

State Representative 

General Resources

Stay Home MN website

www.mn.gov/stayhomemn 

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.cdc.gov 

Minnesota Department of Health

651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903 (7am-7pm daily)

www.health.state.mn.us 

School and child care questions:

651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504 (7am-7pm daily)

www.education.mn.gov 

*Child care providers with questions should call 1-888-234-1268.

Information for workers and employers: www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid 

Minnesota Department of Health Spanish language website: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials/spanish.html 

American Sign Language PSA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8bUdMEsiPQ&feature=emb_titl