Health Insurance and Provider Reimbursement
Health insurance
Most refugees in Minnesota are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) and then select a Prepaid Medical Assistance (PMAP) program 1-2 months after MA is approved. MA and PMAP health insurance pays for the Refugee Health Assessment, including immunizations.
Who should apply
- Resettlement agency case managers, sponsors, or newcomers are responsible for applying for insurance. Applications should be submitted within one week of arrival or immigration status certification. Newcomers who need help applying for health insurance should work with a free certified MNSure navigator to complete the application: MNsure: Assister Directory.
Special population application processes
- For people aged 65 or older, who are blind, who have a disability, need Supplemental Security Income (SSI), etc., the DHS: Application for Certain Populations (PDF) must be filled out.
- Expedited MA may be available for people with urgent or chronic health conditions who need to be connected to health care before the Refugee Health Assessment. Contact refugeehealth@state.mn.us for assistance.
Selecting a health plan
All MA enrollees will have to select to a health plan, a prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP), typically within 30-60 days after the initial Fee-for-Service MA (Straight MA) enrollment. Make sure the health plan that is selected is accepted by the newcomer’s primary care clinic. If the newcomer does not make a choice, a health plan will be automatically assigned.
Provider reimbursement for the Refugee Health Assessment
Several methods of reimbursement are available to providers to cover the cost of the Refugee Health Assessment, including interpreter and transportation fees.
- For newcomers with straight MA, providers should bill each service as they would for any MA patient.
- Newcomers with PMAP must receive services from providers who are in their health plan network. Health care providers are encouraged to Verify Eligibility for MHCP Members.
Refugee Health Assessments for newcomers ineligible for MA
Limited federal funds are available to compensate clinics that perform the Refugee Health Assessment for newcomers who are ineligible for state health care programs or are uninsured. The Minnesota Refugee Health Program offers a flat fee reimbursement per health assessment; this payment is contingent upon newcomers being seen for the exam within 90 days of U.S. arrival for primary refugees, parolees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, or derivative asylees or within 90 days of certification for U.S.-granted asylees and certified victims of human trafficking. The reimbursement rate is based on Medicaid-approved laboratory, examination, and interpreter service rates.
To request the flat fee reimbursement, local public health or clinic staff should:
- Verify with the Minnesota Refugee Health Program that the exam happened within the 90-day timeline and that the patient is eligible for the Refugee Health Assessment, has not had a health assessment previously, and does not qualify for MA.
- Document the medical results on the Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment Form (PDF).
- Submit the completed Minnesota Initial Refugee Health Assessment form to the local public health department and select flat-fee reimbursement as the payment method.
- Submit the flat fee reimbursement request form to MDH.
- MDH will verify eligibility and process the payment request upon receipt.
