[MMA News Now, January 5, 2012] State budget cuts will mean changes to health care coverage for some Minnesotans next year.

Starting Jan. 1, Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) will only cover conditions including labor and delivery, and care and treatment provided in an emergency department or inpatient hospital when the admission is the result of an emergency department admission.

EMA is for non-citizens who are not eligible for medical assistance due to immigration status or sponsorship. With EMA they can still receive medical coverage in an emergency and for the duration of their medical emergency.
Examples of services that EMA will no longer cover include:

• Alcohol or drug treatment
• Care of chronic conditions (such as diabetes management, kidney dialysis or chemotherapy)
• Day training
• Doctor and clinic visits
• Home health care (such as personal care assistance (PCA), private duty nursing or skilled nurse)
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Mental health care
• Non-emergency treatment of chronic conditions
• Nursing home or other facility care
• Other non-emergency services
• Pregnancy-related services
• Prescription drugs filled at an outpatient pharmacy
• Rehabilitative therapy

EMA Announcement 12-31-11

EMA Program Changes MHP-11-11 Revised 12-29-11

If you have additional questions about specific claims, please contact the state's provider call center at 651/431-2700 or 800/366-5411.