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Wondering what the difference is between Hennepin Health and Hennepin Healthcare? It’s easy to confuse the two, because the names are similar.
In a nutshell, Hennepin Health is an insurance plan and Hennepin Healthcare provides health care to patients. We are separate organizations with different purposes. What does that mean, exactly?
Hennepin Health provides insurance that helps you pay for medical care and services like doctor visits, hospital stays, mental and behavioral health care, and medications.
In contrast, Hennepin Healthcare delivers medical care to patients. They are a health care system with a hospital, a trauma center, and other health care services. Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals work at Hennepin Healthcare.
More about Hennepin Health
Hennepin Health is a health insurance plan that serves Hennepin County residents who are eligible for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare, which are Minnesota’s publicly funded health care programs. We offer three insurance options that help you get the care and services you need:
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Prepaid Medical Assistance Program
- For families, children under age 21, pregnant women, and adults under age 65 who receive Medical Assistance
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MinnesotaCare
- For people under age 65 who need access to affordable health care and do not qualify for Medical Assistance
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Special Needs BasicCare
- For people ages 18-64 who are certified disabled and receive Medical Assistance
As a Hennepin Health member, you can get care from a wide range of providers, clinics, and hospitals. Our network includes Allina Health, Children’s Minnesota, Hennepin Healthcare, North Memorial Health, M Health Fairview, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center, and many more.
To find in-network providers for medical, mental health, and preventive care, check out our provider directory or call Hennepin Health Member Services at 612-596-1036, TTY 711, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Your Hennepin Health insurance plan covers a free yearly checkup with an in-network provider. This visit helps you stay healthy so you can be there for those who matter most to you.
Why go if you feel fine?
Some health problems don’t show signs right away. A yearly checkup can catch issues early — before they become serious. Your provider will check your blood pressure, weight, and overall health. You may also get tested for things like diabetes, cancer, or depression.
It’s your time to ask questions
Talk to your provider about stress, sleep, eating habits, or anything else that affects your health. You can also get advice on staying active or quitting smoking.
Preventive care can keep you feeling your best. Don’t wait until you’re sick — make your appointment today.
How to schedule
Search for in-network providers in our provider directory or call Hennepin Health Member Services at 612-596-1036 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
If you’re a Hennepin Health member age 18 or older and living with diabetes, you can earn a $25 Target or Walmart gift card just for completing your A1c test each year.
Why is an A1c test important?
An A1c test measures your average blood sugar level during the past two to three months. Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems like vision loss, kidney disease, and nerve damage. This simple blood test helps your doctor understand your risk and adjust your treatment plan to keep you healthy.
How to get your $25 gift card:
- Get your A1c checked at a medical appointment.
- Fill out a rewards voucher using this eform.
Once your voucher is processed, we’ll mail your gift card to you or you can pick it up at our Member Service Center in downtown Minneapolis.
Need help making an appointment?
Call Member Services at 612-596-1036 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for help making an appointment. We can also help you schedule transportation to your appointment.
One of the best ways to keep your kids healthy is to make sure they get their shots, also called vaccinations or immunizations.
Vaccines help kids stay healthy and stop diseases from spreading to others. They make the immune system stronger so it can fight infections. This protects kids from serious illnesses like measles, mumps, whooping cough, and diphtheria. These diseases can cause severe health problems.
This immunization schedule from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows recommended vaccines at specific ages.
Get rewarded
Hennepin Health members can earn the following:
- $25 Target or Walmart gift card for completing early childhood immunizations. After vaccinations, fill out a rewards voucher using this eform.
- $25 Target or Walmart gift card for completing one meningococcal (MCV), one Tdap, and two HPV vaccines before their 13th birthday. After vaccinations, fill out a rewards voucher using this eform.
- Learn more about the Hennepin Health member rewards program.
Immunization resources
- National Infant Immunization Week Child Health Fair
- Free immunizations and child health resources to families with children 0-18 years old
- Saturday, April 25
- 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Brookdale Library
- 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
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Immunizations for babies and children
- Baby Tracks
- Serves Hennepin County families with children 0–2 years old
- Provides help keeping your baby on track with immunizations, updating your baby's shot records, finding a clinic to receive immunizations, and more
- Multilingual staff
- Call 612-348-6087 for questions or to enroll
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Hennepin County Public Health Clinic
- Serves families and singles
- People younger than 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian
- Bring your immunization records with you to the clinic
- Call 612-543-5555 for questions or to make a vaccine appointment
Need care fast? You can talk to a provider from home with telehealth, visit an urgent care clinic for common injuries or illnesses, or call the 24/7 nurse line for advice anytime.
About telehealth/virtual care
Telehealth/virtual care is a good option to treat many common conditions from the comfort of your home. Telehealth services:
- Cover medically necessary services and consultations delivered by a licensed health care provider by telephone or video call
- Support health care delivery and facilitate assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment education, and care management
Not all clinics offer telehealth/virtual care or offer it for all conditions. Ask your clinic if they offer telehealth/virtual care.
Learn more about virtual care by visiting the Healthwise Knowledgebase.
About urgent care
Urgent care clinics provide walk-in healthcare for common illness or injuries. No appointment is needed. These clinics can help you with health issues like sprains, minor burns, ear infections, and urinary problems. They also do X-rays, throat cultures, and other routine health care.
As a Hennepin Health member, you have an open access network for urgent care. That means you can go to the nearest urgent care when you need it. You can find urgent care locations in the Hennepin Health provider directory.
About 24/7 nurse line
As our member, you can get professional medical advice through the HealthConnection 24/7 nurse line. Call 888-859-0202. (If you have a life-threatening situation, call 911 or go to an emergency room.)
You can get help to:
- Determine if you should treat health-related problems at home or should seek medical care
- Find out more about your symptoms
- Make informed health care decisions
We all want to have a say in our medical care, but we may not always be able communicate with our providers due to illness, injury, or other circumstances. That’s why having an advance directive (also called a “health care directive”) is so important. It offers you peace of mind that your family and health providers will honor your preferences about life-sustaining treatments.
An advance directive is a written document you give to your health care provider in which you state your goals and wishes for current and future health care. This allows your voice to be heard when treatment decisions need to be made and you are unable to communicate them. It also enables you to name a person to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
For more information and advance care directive forms, visit:
Looking for an easy way to get a dental appointment? Hennepin Health Dental Days were created just for you.
During Dental Days, Hennepin Health members can get dental care at our Member Service Center. Care is provided by Children’s Dental Services, and they serve both kids and adults.
2026 Dental Days schedule
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location: Hennepin Health Member Service Center, 525 Portland Ave. S., 8th floor, Minneapolis
Dates:
- Tuesday, May 19
- Tuesday, June 23
- Tuesday, August 25
- Tuesday, September 29
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 24
How to make an appointment
- For Dental Days: Visit the Member Service Center in person Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or call our Hennepin Health Dental Coordinator at 612-543-4207, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- For regular dental visits (not during Dental Days): Call Delta Dental of Minnesota at 651-348-3233 or 866-298-5549 (TTY 711), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
DHS approved 3/9/2026 ID# MC-1865-MM
Language and civil rights notices
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