This report describes the Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA) data collection process and methodology, emphasizing the most recent administration of the survey completed in 2021. The 2021 MNHA represents the first time using a single address based (ABS) frame. 

Overview of MNHA

The Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA) is a biennial survey of non-institutionalized Minnesota residents. The survey collects detailed information on health insurance coverage options, access to coverage and health care services, and basic demographic data. The goal of the survey is to document trends in health insurance coverage, and access to insurance and health care at the state and regional level, as well as for select subpopulations (e.g., rural, low-income families, populations of color and American Indians). The MNHA represents a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Economics Program and the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). 

The MNHA data play an important role in monitoring trends in health insurance coverage, evaluating and informing health policy development in Minnesota on topics such as affordability of coverage, access to healthcare, and redesign of public program coverage. The MNHA provides precise and timely estimates on a range of coverage and access relevant questions, is adaptable and responsive to developing state health policy issues, and ensures the availability of micro-data for time sensitive research and policy analysis.

The MNHA has been conducted a number of times over the years: in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2004, and every two years beginning in 2007.¹ This technical report focuses primarily on the 2021 MNHA, providing some cumulative data in table form.²