Insurance, Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare and the Behavioral Health Fund, which moved to DHS on July 1, 2026. Who qualifies, the 2026 income limits and how to apply.
Cost is one of the most common reasons Minnesotans put off getting help for alcohol or drug use. Minnesota has more ways to pay for substance use disorder (SUD) treatment than most people realize, though. One of the biggest public programs, the Behavioral Health Fund, changed how it works on July 1, 2026.
This guide covers the main options, who each one is for, and how to take the first step.
Start with a comprehensive assessment
In Minnesota, the first step toward treatment is a comprehensive assessment. An alcohol and drug counselor talks with you about your substance use, health and situation, then recommends the type of care that fits (Minnesota DHS).
You may still hear it called a "Rule 25." That process ended on June 30, 2022 (Minnesota DHS). Under Minnesota's Direct Access model, you can go straight to a provider you choose for your assessment and start care right away. You no longer have to wait for a county placement (Minnesota DHS).
The same payment options below can often cover the assessment itself.
Option 1: Private or employer insurance
If you have health insurance through an employer or the marketplace, it likely covers at least some SUD treatment. Before you start:
- Call the member services number on your card and ask about substance use disorder benefits: assessment, outpatient, residential and medication for addiction treatment.
- Ask whether prior authorization is required and which providers are in network.
- Ask what your deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum will be.
DHS recommends that people with insurance contact their insurer about benefits and providers first (Minnesota DHS). If your plan covers less than 100% of treatment, you may still qualify for help from the Behavioral Health Fund (see Option 3).
Option 2: Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
Minnesota's public health care programs cover substance use disorder services. MinnesotaCare lists SUD services among its covered benefits, along with mental health services (Minnesota DHS). If you're enrolled in Medical Assistance (Minnesota's Medicaid program), contact your health plan's member services line to find covered providers.
Not enrolled but think you might qualify? You can apply through MNsure at 1-855-366-7873 (Minnesota DHS).
Option 3: The Behavioral Health Fund
The Behavioral Health Fund (formerly the Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund, or CCDTF) pays for SUD treatment for people who meet income limits and either have no insurance or have insurance that doesn't cover 100% of treatment (Minnesota DHS).
What changed on July 1, 2026
The Fund used to be run through counties and Tribal Nations. On July 1, 2026, the Minnesota Department of Human Services took over eligibility decisions for all applicants (Minnesota DHS, DHS fact sheet). In practice, there's now one statewide place to apply, whatever county you live in.
Who is not eligible
You can't have treatment paid by the Fund if you (Minnesota DHS):
- Have insurance that pays 100% of SUD treatment costs
- Have active Minnesota Medical Assistance
- Have household income above the program limits
2026 income limits
The limits depend on household size and which category you fall into. Here are a few examples from the 2026 table (Minnesota DHS):
| Household size | Adult 21+ (no children under 19) | Parent or caretaker of a child under 19 | Pregnant, or pregnant in the last 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,227 | $21,227 | Not applicable |
| 2 | $28,781 | $28,781 | $60,159 |
| 3 | $36,336 | $36,336 | $75,950 |
| 4 | $43,890 | $43,890 | $91,740 |
Higher limits apply to young people aged 2 to 18. The full table on the DHS website covers households of up to 12 people.
How to apply
DHS lists these ways to apply (Minnesota DHS):
- Online: DHS is rolling out an online application tool. Check the DHS page for the current status.
- Upload: fill out form DHS-2780A-ENG and upload it through the human services upload portal.
- Mail: print and complete the form, then mail it to Minnesota Department of Human Services, Attn: BHF request, 540 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 55101-0977.
You don't have to do it alone. A county, a Tribal Nation or a substance use disorder provider can help you apply (Minnesota DHS).
What happens after you're approved
If you're found eligible, you get 60 consecutive days to start treatment paid for by the Fund. The Fund pays the treatment provider directly, and that provider must be enrolled as a Minnesota Health Care Programs provider (Minnesota DHS). Ask any program you're considering whether it accepts Behavioral Health Fund payment.
DHS also encourages applicants to apply for longer-term coverage at the same time, through MNsure (1-855-366-7873) or MnBenefits for other programs (651-539-7700) (Minnesota DHS).
A quick way to figure out where you fit
- I have insurance that covers treatment: call your plan, then schedule an assessment with an in-network provider.
- I have Medical Assistance: call your health plan's member services line. The Behavioral Health Fund isn't needed.
- I have no insurance, or my coverage is limited: check the income limits above, apply to the Behavioral Health Fund, and apply for MA or MinnesotaCare through MNsure.
- I'm not sure: a treatment provider's intake team can help you sort out coverage and paperwork.
Getting started with Transformation Behavioral Health
Our programs work with families every day to verify insurance and explain the next steps:
- Comprehensive assessments and outpatient treatment at Recovery Hub, in Anoka and by telehealth across Minnesota
- Residential treatment at Transformation House for adults who need a structured, 24-hour setting
- Mental health care at Agape Health & Wellness for therapy and psychiatric services
Not sure which fits? Explore our continuum of care or contact our intake team at (763) 427-7155.
This article is for general information and isn't financial or legal advice. Eligibility rules and income limits are set by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and can change, so check the DHS Behavioral Health Fund page for the latest.
